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Creative Writing by Andrew Kennedy - As with any other talent or skill, creative writing varies from author to author in terms of their opinions, thoughts and definitions regarding excellent writing style. In college, one of my professors would continually dock my grade for using “but” or “and” at the beginning of a sentence. My sister-in-law however, had a professor that thoroughly loved the creative writing style of a student who would perfectly use “but” or “and” at the beginning of a new sentence. Recently, I have been reading a published book which also has sentences which begin with “and”. Thus, we must recognize that our writing style will be judged and critiqued by many minds that may or may not like our individual style.

Although experts and authors may vary in their personal writing styles, there are some basic tips which authors agree will help your ability to creatively write.  Here are six tips to help increase your ability to write clearly:

Novice writers, with best intentions, will employ words that distract from the actual meaning and intention of the sentence.  This may result from an illusion, a fallacy, that if I employ “big words” then my story will automatically be perfect.  Expert authors do not use big words, unless they know the proper meaning and are able to articulate its proper meaning within a sentence.  In a sentence, an author should be concerned with well placed words instead of just using a word to sound more intellectual or articulate.

Have you ever witnessed a child trying to put a square shape into a circle opening?  Sometimes, a smaller square will fit into the opening of a circle, but the fact remains, the shape was square not circular.  In writing it is better to use a smaller circle that fits the opening, then forcing a square word to appear intelligent in your writing style.

An exaggeration may have its place in some forms of writing; however a good rule of thumb is to avoid it.  A simple, well thought sentence will generally trump any over-zealous explanation or attempt to highlight a specific event within a story.

Circumlocution is when a sentence, paragraph, or phrase uses too many words to express an idea.  My English teacher would often tell me, “This sentence is too wordy.”  Well placed nouns, verbs and adjectives in a short decisive sentence will emphasize what is important without fluff.
Fine writing is when authors like to over-embellish statements, metaphors and analogies within any given sentence or paragraph.  My friend once said, “Fine writing is when a person inputs a metaphor into a sentence for the sake of using a metaphor.”

When writing, be precise and to the point.  When using metaphors, be cautious.  Metaphors should be intricately woven into the sentence without an inquisitive shout to the reader, “Look at me! I’m a good one, No?”

Within the realm of writing, an ambiguous word will have the potential for the reader to misinterpret the point the author was trying to make.  When increasing our writing capability we will often use words in a sentence that makes sense to us, but leave the reader confused. We know the intent of our word, or sentence, but the reader is left bewildered.  

A metaphor is a writing technique that when well placed invites the reader more into your story.  These are opportunities for writers to express themselves and their individual and personal creativity. 
Some expert authors invite writers to use a metaphor in lieu of a literal statement.  If you use a metaphor, do not mix it with a literal statement either.  Choose one or the other.  A metaphor, to write more clearly, should not be used to express a prosaic idea or subject.

As with any talent or skill, a person must practice or acquaint themselves more with what they are striving to become.  The more a person reads, and the more a person writes, the better they will be at writing. Michael Jordan didn’t become the best basketball player of all time because he watched others play.  He diligently practiced to prove to rookies and himself that he was indomitable.

When reading to improve your writing skills, study the writing style, use of metaphors and placement of words.  Actively seek out different ways to write better by practice. 

This article has highlighted six simple and easy tips to increase an individual’s skill in writing.  Although there may be differences of opinions of how to write clearly, the six ideas presented are elements by which all authors would agree.  Remember to use the proper meaning of words especially when using metaphors.  If you don’t know a word, or are unsure, look the word up and once you have an understanding, your ability to write concise sentences becomes better.  The best sentences get to the point without being flowery or wordy, so avoid the fluff.  Once you begin to understand these tips, practice, practice, practice.  Read more books and study other authors’  writing styles so that you may begin to improve your writing style.

Celebrities always look fabulous. Whether appearing in television or films or strutting down the red carpet during movie premiers and awards, they never cease to fascinate us with their larger than life presence. The truth is, it takes a lot of effort to look the way they do, and being the public figures that they are, they cannot afford to slack off when it comes to taking care of their physical appearances. Their livelihood largely depends on how they look. Aside from the clothes, the hair and the makeup, celebrities have to take good care of their bodies.

So it is no surprise that these stars have their own secrets when it comes to staying fit and gorgeous. Their health agenda can range from extreme workouts to well-planned meals. Who doesn't want to know their secrets in staying absolutely sexy? Here are some of the diet secrets of seven women celebrities.

The star of the phenomenal television show Friends not only mesmerized audiences with her adorable comic sense and her famous hairstyle, she was also known for having one of the sexiest bodies in Hollywood, as she appeared in countless magazine covers. To stay trim, Jennifer follows the 40:30:30 diet method. The diet consists of:

40% Low glycemic carbohydrates
-Foods such as beans, fruits and vegetables, legumes

30% lean proteins
-Tofu, fish, chicken, turkey, beef and low fat dairy products

30% essential fats
-nuts and seeds, fish and olive oils

It is essential that every meal should contain macronutrients to attain the balance of hormones and maximum weight loss.

The gorgeous daughter of actress Goldie Hawn gained 60 pounds during her pregnancy, which she needed to shed quickly before commencing on her next film. From her previous eating plan, she switched to a higher protein diet. She consumed high protein meals in smaller portions, and she combined this diet with an exercise program that includes weight training and cardiovascular workouts. After getting a lot of flak because of her post-pregnancy figure, Kate removed all that baby weight in only four months and has gained abdominal muscles that gained the envy of many in Hollywood.

As one of the most successful talk-show hosts in the world, there is no question that Oprah needs to maintain her physical appearance for her millions of audiences. Known as one of those celebrities who are constantly battling weight gain, she has recently toned up her figure and has never looked figure in age 50 by combining a regular exercise regime and diet plan. Oprah works out five days a week, spending 30 minutes on the threadmill and doing free weights. Her eating plan consists of legumes, fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables, chicken and dairy products that are lowfat. She limits her consumption of white sugar and flour. Oprah also credits her trim figure to her habit of not eating anything after seven in the evening.

A lot of people may find it hard to believe that the perpetually slim Academy award-winning actress actually needs to diet. Gwyneth actually follows a healthy eating plan that resembles Oprah's, avoiding sugar and white flour. She usually follows a macrobiotic diet, eating foods like vegetables, brown rice, and lean meat. She also eliminated dairy from her diet, and does yoga everyday.

The pop star known as the Material Girl has always flaunted a body that is to die for, and has become a true fitness paragon over the years. She keeps herself in tip-top shape by having Ashtanga Yoga, and follows a strict diet that mostly shuns junk foods. She adopted a macrobiotic eating plan that includes organic foods rich in lean protein.

The bodacious German supermodel eats salad and steamed vegetables for dinner and eats only fruits before the afternoon. While on locations, she prefers to eat black grapes and drinks tomato juice and herbal tea.

Long-time supermodel maintains her all-American good looks by being a vegetarian. She does not keep junk foods of any kind inside her home to make sure that she does not eat them when cravings occur. She snacks on sweet potatoes in place of candy bars, and she adopts a liquid juice diet when she needs to slim down fast.

Celebrities are just like ordinary people. They need to maintain their figures just like anyone else, and there is more pressure on their part since they are constantly in the public eye. Ordinary folks can have celebrity-like bodies, too, and by following these diet and fitness plans, they can also look like red-carpet worthy. 

Health insurance providers are not created equal. Before a couple is married, the option of sharing coverage is extremely unusual unless one of your insurers offers domestic partner insurance. As you become engaged, if you both have separate insurance it is important to talk about the both of you switching to the better plan once you are married. There are a few factors consider, which include deductibles, co-payments, and the benefits of each separate plan. Marriage is a big step, and it can be done with ease if the two of you settle important decisions such as your health insurance plan before you take the big leap.

Your deductible is the amount you must pay each year to start your policy. Once this payment is made you will be responsible for whatever amount of co-payment your insurance company requires for you to pay for the health expenses that are covered in your particular policy. The amount of co-payments that you will be responsible for is established at the time you agree to your health insurance policy. It is going to be a certain percentage of health expenses; for instance, you pay 10% while your insurer will be paying the other 90%. You and your fiancé should compare both of your plans and figure out which deductible and co-payment plan seems most appropriate for the two of you.

Married couples are usually eligible for certain benefits that unmarried couples are not. Being insured separately by the health care provider sponsored by your employers may no longer be the most beneficial option for you. If you or your fiancé has insurance, and the other does not, once the two of you are married they can be added to the other partner's plan. Cost of adding an additional person is definitely something that should be examined. You should not be required to pay more for adding a spouse or even a child in the future because most plans are offered to immediate family at no extra cost. The best way to compare policies is to estimate a yearly amount of normal health expenses, emergencies, co-payments, and deductibles. Whichever plan has the lowest cost to you will almost always be the best choice.

In addition to sharing health insurance with your new spouse, you may also want to consider switching the rest of your insurance plans, such as the policies you have for your separate automobiles. This is because most companies will give you a discount on having more than one vehicle insured. You may also be interested in finding a company that can insure you home, automobile, and health in one place. If you carry more than one policy with a company, they will also usually give you some sort of discount on them. It is important to sit down and discuss insurance with your fiancé because the two of you could be saving money and stress by figuring out what decision is best before the time comes.

With so many different types of health insurance plans and restrictions out there, it can be difficult finding the best health insurance for you. However, this process is not impossible to do well with a little research. There are a few items to look for when deciding on health insurance plans, and by considering them all you can make a good decision for yourself and your family about health insurance.

The most important thing to look for is coverage. More often than not, insurance will cover physician visits and fees. Your health insurance should also cover hospital expenses such as room and board in case you are kept overnight or longer for observation or treatment. Good health insurance should also cover surgeries and any expenses associated with surgical treatment. Beyond these typical items of coverage, health insurance plans can diverge greatly. To really understand what coverage you would utilize and which plan would save you the most money, you will need to make a list of items that you want covered in an insurance plan. For instance, do you have glasses or contacts? Then you may be more interested in a plan that covers vision - either paying for your eye exam and/or partially paying for your glasses or contacts. Though many people think that health insurance covers prescriptions, prescription coverage is actually an optional benefit. If you know that you often have prescription drugs to fill, finding insurance that offers prescription coverage may be a must. If you are a woman and plan on having or want to have children, maternity care or family planning services are also optional benefits that you may want to consider. Once you make this must-have list of optional coverage, you can begin looking for health insurance plans that give you the opportunity to add these optional benefits.

Another item you should definitely consider is if your current physicians or specialists are included in the health insurance company's preferred provider network or if you have the opportunity to choose any physician (often the case only with indemnity or traditional health insurance plans). If you would like the freedom to choose your own doctor, traditional health insurance plans or preferred provider organizations may offer more attractive plans - though these also cost a little more.

Lastly, consider price. After researching different coverage plans and physician requirements, compare deductibles and monthly premiums to find the best deal. Often, you can get group rates through your employer, or you may find that artist organizations (for freelance artists) offer health care plans. By researching price, as well as other health insurance options, you can make the best choices for your family.

Tattoos are a common thing these days.  They are more popular than ever before.  Research has shown that nearly 1 in 4 people have at least one tattoo.  There are many designs to choose from, giving people a chance to be creative.  Below, we will take a look at some of the most popular tattoo designs.

Tribal tattoos are among the most popular designs.  They have been around for hundreds and hundreds of years and they are always evolving and becoming more and more complex with their designs and styles.  Tribal tattoos can either be the traditional black style that cover the arms and the legs or the more colorful styles that can cover every area of the body.  The colorful, more modern look is becoming more and more popular when compared to other styles.

The “old school” styles of tattoos are also popular.  Anchors and things like that are making a great comeback these days and not just with sailors.  These styles were very common and very popular back in the 60s.  They are rapidly gaining their popularity back, as females and males are getting anchors and swallow designs tattooed on them more and more.

Lower back tattoos are the most common for women.  The lower back is one of the most sexual and sensual areas on a women, making the ideal spot for a tattoo.  Tribal designs are the most popular, although flowers, dragons, and other symbols make great tattoos as well.  The lower back offers plenty of natural curves as well, which can make for an innovative tattoo.  Often times, women tend to include tribal that spreads, covering the base of their hips as well.

Dragon designs are another popular type style of tattoos.  They were popular in the past, and are now starting to get their popularity back.  There are a lot of different dragons to choose from, including the mythical dragon and ancient Chinese dragon.  Dragons are great on the chest for males and the back for females.  Dragon tattoos can be virtually any size, although most males tend to have them cover one side of their chest or the upper region of their arms.

Celtic tattoos are also popular as well.  They are mostly seen with those who have a Celtic heritage, although some with no Celtic heritage have them as well.  They offer a variety of symbols and designs, providing universal meanings for everyone.  Often times they are mixed with tribal tattoos to create a more innovative tattoo.

There are several other types of tattoos out there, although the above are the most common.  Tattoos can be very creative and innovative; it all depends on what you want.  If you’re looking to stand out and be truly creative – you can always have a professional tattoo artist design one for you.