SO WHO EXACTLY IS A GOOD WRITER?...HERE IS AN OPINION BY ALEXKELLYOC

[caption id="attachment_10032" align="aligncenter" width="593"] do good books (or blogs) require master chefs?[/caption]

Good writer definition

I have been accused many times for not being a huge fan of books. I
won’t lie that I really don’t read much. Especially when I was younger,
the teachers would give me a list of books I gotta read during the
summer and since it was summer, who would bother reading?

I’ve always found the school books that were required to be boring.
Except maybe for the Greek myths and legends I had to read when I was in
5th grade. I preferred reading comics to be honest-I like the colored
heroes that had dialogues, usually about what friendship was. I was
never into manga stuff (although, a good friend of mine made me read
some stuff and were not bad at all).

Now things have changed in someway. Of course, I would still not read
completely the books required for school and when I’d forget about it
after the exam on it and in the most positive case, I’d remember the
basic of it. I don’t like reading fiction, nor documentary based
material. I like  authors like Maxim Matkin and Chad Kultgen. Those two
have made me re-read their books so many times and I consider them good
writers since they both made me read their stuff more than one time, but
also because of the way they write. It’s true that both authors write
about sex in both reality and fiction but even when fiction, it’s like i
can almost experience it you know. I bet all of you have such authors
that have that influence on you.

For me, it’s the way those 2 write their stuff. Simple, yet
complicated, real but also with fiction elements. Brutal honest but
needed. They words they choose, especially Kultgen-I like how he’s not
afraid to use sentences like “And he popped her cherry and made her cry”
(taken from “Men, Women & Children” book written by him). I like
how real it sounds despite for some of you it may be gross but there’re
different types of genres for each taste. Some of you prefer those soap
opera based books, others like reading fiction, thirds enjoy reading
about cowboys and so on..

But despite the so many existing genres, I believe that a good writer
has to be able to capture the reader’s attention that much so when the
reader is forced to leave the book for some time, to hurry back and see
how’s the whole situation going to end. He should be careful with his
words, he should be honest more or less (according to the genre) and
should think about what the people would like to read, because let’s be
honest, many people happen to buy books because they’re fooled by the
cover.

I also happen to think that a true writer can also be a blogger. Like
Maxim Matkin (it’s a pseudonym) started like that and as far as I know,
he’s still publishing and when he writes another book, I will buy it no
matter where I would be. He writes about his life, sex, family,
problems, love and everything in between and it’s very much a cycle from
which you cannot escape but each time there’s something new happening
and makes you want to read more and more

I love it when I come across writers on here that really do have the
potential of turning big. My advice would be-keep writing even if this
ends up just as a hobby of yours and who knows, one day your fame will
be earned

BY ALEXKELLYOC

READ A BOOK,NOT A KINDLE!...HOW WILL NIGERIA CELEBRATE WORLD BOOK DAY NEXT MONTH?(1)

Happy World Book Day! What’s World Book Day?

Digital Vision / Getty Images

Today, March 7, British citizens are celebrating World Book Day. The rest of us will have to wait a few more weeks.

Huh?

Let us explain. World Book Day was started by UNESCO (the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and is celebrated on Apr. 23 — a date chosen, according to UNESCO, to mark the day in 1616 that saw the deaths of Cervantes, Shakespeare, and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. The event is meant to honor authors and encourage literacy. And it’s not just World Book Day. It’s also UNESCO’s Copyright Day, meant to urge implementation of copyright-protection conventions around the world.

(MORE: Ouch! Check Out the Harshest Book Review of the Year)

The U.K. and Ireland version of World Book Day is observed earlier, partly due to working around school holidays, and involves a literacy-promoting charity — as well as something the rest of the world is missing: costumes.

As the BBC recounts, the day is often marked by children dressing up as their favorite literary characters—even when those characters are only slightly book-related. In this particular complaint, the character in question is a Lego ninja—and the day ends up not so much about books after all:

There was a time when reading a book meant just that. In your head, out loud, to yourself or to a crowd. Whichever way, it was reading.

But not any more. It’s about dressing up. Or at least it’s about dressing up if you happen to be of school age and your teachers have been sucked into the literary-industrial complex of World Book Day.

Somehow we doubt that UNESCO will be adding World Literary-Industrial Complex Day to the calendar any time soon…

By Lily Rothman/ENTERTAINMENT TIME.COM

Happy World Book Day! Some Interesting Facts

In honour of World Book Day, which is being celebrated today in the UK, we thought we’d delve into the interesting stories and trivia hiding behind some of the most popular and successful books ever written. So, here goes…



The biggest-selling book written in English is Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities. Dickens’s 1859 novel about the French Revolution (the ‘two cities’ of the title are London and Paris) is in many ways his most untypical book: of the fifteen novels he wrote (including the unfinished The Mystery of Edwin Drood), it is arguably the least comic (with Hard Times not far ahead of it for laughs). Since no small part of Dickens’s perennial popularity is surely his genius for comedy, along with his portrayals of Victorian London, it seems odd that this novel – which is largely set in Paris – should be his most popular. But it is, in terms of sales: an estimated 200 million copies have been sold over the last 150-odd years, making it the bestselling book in the English language.

The second and third bestselling books in English are both by J. R. R. Tolkien. Yes, The Lord and the Rings and The Hobbit are, respectively, the second and third biggest-selling books written originally in the English language, making Tolkien’s combined sales from these two books (if you follow Tolkien’s lead and see The Lord of the Rings as a single novel, rather than a trilogy) an estimated 250 million. Not bad, considering that The Hobbit started life one day when Tolkien was bored marking university exam papers at Oxford…

There are numerous bestselling novels which are longer than War and Peace. Although War and Peace is famous principally for being such a long novel, there are many classics which surpass it for their sheer word count. Vikram Seth’s A Suitable Boy, Samuel Richardson’s Clarissa, and Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time/Remembrance of Things Past are among the most famous novels which out-War and Peace War and Peace. But Tolstoy produced the definitive ‘long novel’. His original title for the novel was All’s Well That Ends Well (same as the Shakespeare play). Woody Allen once said: ‘I just speed-read War and Peace. It’s about some Russians.’

Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar has sold around 30 million copies. This classic children’s book was originally called ‘A Week with Willi Worm’, with the main protagonist being a bookworm.

The Harry Potter book series is the biggest selling series of novels ever published. J. K. Rowling’s seven novels about the boy wizard have sold around 450 million copies collectively, and have helped to popularise the word ‘muggle’ … although the word ‘muggle’ dates back, with various meanings, to the thirteenth century. (It originally meant ‘a tail resembling that of a fish’.)

The first official World Book Day was celebrated on 23 April 1995. This is partly because Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare both died on this date, 23 April 1616 (although, in point of fact, Cervantes had died the day before). William Wordsworth would also die on 23 April, 1850 – St. George’s Day. Indeed, a truly international World Book Day is still celebrated on 23 April every year.

We hope you enjoyed our special World Book Day facts! Have a enjoyable and literary day, and go lose yourself in a good book this day of all days…

World Book Day: What does reading mean to you?

Hopefully you know that today is World Book Day. And if you don’t, then you should. Because it is a celebration of reading; one of the most enjoyable things in the world to do… And something that everyone needs to do more of. Reading is something I feel quite passionately about so, if you don’t feel the same, probably best to switch off now.

World Book Day is now in its 16^th year, and is the opportunity for children of all ages to come together to appreciate reading in every which way they can.

The very heart of it is about encouraging children to explore the pleasure of reading, by providing them with the opportunity to have a book of their own; thanks to National Book Tokens Ltd. But, thinking about World Book Day, got me considering books in general and the bigger picture.

The key thing for me is the books themselves, I love everything about them. I love going to the library, browsing the shelves, choosing the ones I want to read, and then checking them out on my library card. I love old books, I love new books, I love long books, I love short books.

But libraries all across the UK are closing all the time, and these are the cheapest and best way for children to be able to explore the concept of reading. So if this kind of facility is dying, how can we expect them to really get pleasure from books in the same way that we did when we were growing up?

It makes me sad to think that they might never get involved in a Famous Five adventure, want to be a member of the Saddle Club, or laugh themselves silly at The Twits.

I can imagine that most of you, by now, are thinking that I have missed a fairly important point… Digital. Kindle. E-Book. Whatever else you might want to call it. I have not missed it, or forgotten it, I just don’t think it is the same. Happy to discuss, but prepare yourself for a healthy debate! That is only when it comes to reading books though.

In other areas of my life I will embrace digital. Particularly when it comes to the news, which is another one of my favourite things; and brings me back to what I am probably supposed to be discussing on the Speed blog!

Reading for me is not just about books. I will quite literally devour anything. And that includes news. Which is so critical in the PR and communications industry. I don’t think anyone could do this job without being one step ahead of the news at all times, particularly in the corporate team. We need to know everything that is going on with everything, in order to relate to our clients, their business issues, the markets they operate in and so on…

So if you want to work in corporate PR, I would suggest you do the following:

-          Read the news

-          Read the news

-          Read the news

And if you ever want to work with me, I would suggest you do the following:

-          Read a book (not a Kindle)!

by lauraimregi

12 FACTORS FOR SUCCESS IN A NIGERIAN SECONDARY SCHOOL

LETTER TO MY CHILD FOR SUCCESS IN A NIGERIAN SECONDARY SCHOOL

[caption id="attachment_1402" align="aligncenter" width="500"] mason college students on excursion to vanguard newspapers[/caption]

My Dear Child,

I give you good tidings from your mother, brothers and sisters at home. Also from our good friends, LAGOS BOOKS CLUB and their parent company EDUPEDIA ASSOCIATES. Last week I discussed part of what worries me about your education/studies with them and these are the notes they willingly and freely asked me to pass to you. Please go through them as I intend to have more discussions with you for implementing many of their suggestions. My son, I pray God will bless them into your heart mightily. Amen. Please note that I added my comments  in a few paragraphs  though.

NOTES OF EDUPEDIA ASSOCIATES/LAGOSBOOKSCLUB

1. Self-assessment. There are some hard questions you need address to yourself such as “Do i go to school to please my parents or just to be with my friends?” or “What exactly am i attending school for?”

2. Manner of speech. A good way to show your educational level is the way and manner you speak .Firstly, what  would you say at the morning assembly if you are, without any previous notice, asked to give a short exhortation to fellow students on moral issues? Secondly, how are you likely to contribute to class discussions or class presentations? These might be occasions for you to display your ability to speak eloquently or display your level of education. Thirdly, what about discussions with tutors or management of the school?

3. Improvement of Vocabulary. To improve and display the quality of your education you need to improve/increase your vocabulary, learn the art of public speaking, know the rules of public debate and of pidgin English which is now very common in Nigeria.One way to improve your vocabulary is to read novels, magazines and newspapers. The frequent use of dictionaries and thesauruses need to be emphasized too. A novel summary scheme based on an efficient use of a good library or membership of one such as  the LAGOS BOOKS CLUB will be helpful. (PREMIUM SERVICES)

4. Listening in class. You also need to cultivate the habit of listening to your tutors and what they say. Apart from passing exams, your purpose is to get real education and the root of education is to be found in your listening habits. Experts have listed a ”listening habits inventory and listening facts” which Edupedia promised to make available to you in future.

5. Completion of Class Notebooks. Incomplete class notes, rough-looking notebooks, dirty notebooks  are danger signals that things are not going well with your studies. There are ways of taking notes to get you out of trouble which your school ought to teach you. I assume they must have but are you paying attention to notes completion sessions at all? There is a NOTES IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM  by Edupedia which i shall soon ask them to either teach you personally or  proposed to your school (if need be) (PREMIUM SERVICES)

6. Handwriting. It is surprising to note that the problem of many students can be traced to their handwriting or writing styles. Bad handwriting ultimately leads to spelling mistakes and unpleasant and sometimes annoying responses from tutors or examiners. You must therefore find ways to improve your handwriting. Writing styles are usually cultivated over a period of time.

7. Plan whatever you write. You must also learn how to plan your writing long before the examination days, write your first draft, then revise and edit what you have written. You must learn the art of developing words into sentences then into paragraphs and then into essays, stories, articles or poems. You must also learn how to write research reports, lesson notes, etc. Edupedia can also provide additional and more detailed guidance on this. (PREMIUM SERVICES)

8. Master your spelling demons to be a better and stylish writer.

9.Assignments/Study Techniques/Red Notes & Salvation Lines. You need to master the techniques of study and doing assignments. You must make some effort at improving your concentration when reading and you should find a way to jog your memory later about what you have read. To do this, two techniques called Red Notes and Salvation Lines can also be provided by Edupedia which you might find very useful. (PREMIUM SERVICES).After mastering study techniques a good student must also spend some time in mastering various examination (internal and external) techniques which can be useful in the exam hall. Spend some time to ponder on the write-ups of techniques being provided free of charge by Edupedia on this forum. Red notes, I am told, are convertible to Salvation lines when exam draw near. And from what I gathered, students need no longer feel the need for examination malpractices during school and national exams especially if Edupedia is allowed to provide them Weekend Comprehensive Mentoring Services. (PREMIUM SERVICES)

10.School survival tools. You may also wish to ask yourself what tools a good student must have in order to survive school. See a list  we have provided for reference below. 

11. Computer/Web Studies You also need to show more interest in computer/web studies. Why? There is more education now on science, technology, finance, economics, life-skills etc on the web than anywhere else in the world. The internet is now the biggest school/classroom that ever existed.

12. A 7- Day Personal Time Table .Which will include a Personal Study Plan and School Time Table (Time Management Chart). Edupedia can provide further guidance on this. (PREMIUM SERVICES)

TOOLS FOR ACADEMIC SURVIVAL IN A SECONDARY SCHOOL

a.Textbooks / Writing Material / Maths Set / Exercise Book / Drawing Books / Science Or Practical Note Books/ Assignment Note Books /Red Notes Book And Salvation Lines Note Book / Maths Continuous Practice Notebook / Remedial Studies Note Book / Novel Summary Note Book.(PREMIUM SERVICES)

b. A file containing all your past examination and test scripts with their past question papers for future reference.

c.. Different write-ups prepared  on Study and Examination techniques by your school.

d.. Frequent use of your school library or  or a reputable external library like the LAGOS BOOKS CLUB.

e. Use  Encyclopedia Britannica CDs, related subject software available in the markets and frequent reference to educational Websites such as How to Study. Org.

Your mother,siblings and I pray each day for your success in school towards becoming a responsible citizen of our fatherland. By God’s grace you shall be part of the new crop of intelligent hard-working youth Nigeria is empowering to give us a better image in all nations on this planet. Please face your studies seriously and revert back to me as soon as you can on any of the issues raised above. God bless you.

Your father.

10 REASONS WHY U SHOULD JOIN THE LAGOS BOOKS CLUB TODAY!

[caption id="attachment_531" align="alignleft" width="500"] Libraries are the wardrobes of literature, whence men, properly informed, might bring forth something for ornament, much for curiosity, and more for use.
- James Dyer[/caption]

1.LBC is one of the most experienced (almost 20 yrs) largest private libraries for novels in lagos if not in Nigeria!

2.No registration fees.No hassles and no subscription payment for hire after 12 months i.e reading services become free!

3. No due dates and no late fees.

4. SIMPLY,BUY,HIRE AND READ…

5. You can even SWAP your books with ours if acceptable to us

6. READ EASY and RETURN at LEISURE without PRESSURE

7. Great titles and Authors for less …bargain hire charges for first 12 months and free readership thereafter!!!…incredible news,not so?…u better believe it cos we are not joking!…

8. We can deliver to and collect from any location in the Lagos Metropolis whether home or office depending on size of order

9. We are open on Saturdays and Sundays too!

10. Seamless cash or banking transactions from behind your desk,lappy or phone.

[caption id="attachment_537" align="alignleft" width="500"]
- No furniture so charming as books.
- Sydney Smith[/caption]

HOW IT WORKS & HOW TO JOIN

Three simple steps actually.

1.Collect our list of books/plans and charges.

2.Select a plan .

3.Create your account  by visiting our location at 5TH AVENUE M CLOSE,HOUSE 27

FESTAC TOWN LAGOS  or by sending  an e-mail by text to the  addresses/telephones  below:

e-mails:lagosbooksclub@yahoo.com  or  edupedianigeria@yahoo.com….telephones:08033010872 ,08027853025

SOMEDAY,SOMEWHERE,SOMEHOW LBC WILL RECEIVE YOUR  PRAISE AND THANKS.

SHALL WE SEE YOU,YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TODAY?…PLEASE CALL US IF U LIVE TOO FAR

AWAY FROM OUR LOCATION IN FESTAC…SI YA!!!

BOOKS, BOOKS AND BOOKS-BUY,SWAP OR RENT!...ANOTHER INTRODUCTION

PAST WAEC/NECO EXAM QUESTIONS ON DESCRIPTIVE/IMAGINATIVE/NARRATIVE/STORY-WRITING -EDUCATION AND LIVING

 ENGLISH LANGUAGE DESCRIPTIVE/IMAGINATIVE/NARRATIVE/STORY-WRITING ESSAYS FOR PRACTICE(3)

[caption id="attachment_1301" align="alignleft" width="500"] students getting ready for living[/caption]

 

ESSAY QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE

NOW PRACTICE WITH THE ESSAY QUESTIONS BELOW AND MAIL YOUR ANSWERS TO US. WE’LL LET YOU KNOW ASAP AREAS NEEDING FURTHER WORK OR ATTENTION…GOOD LUCK.”

1.Write a story, real or imagined, which illustrates the saying: “Make hay while the sun shines”

 2. Write a story ending with the words: “indeed it was a blessing in disguise”.

 3. Narrate an experience you had heard about that illustrates the saying: “Where there is a will there is a way”

 4. Tell a story that ends with advice: “Cut your coat according to your size”

 5. Narrate to your classmates an experience you had or heard about the saying: “You reap what you sow”

 6. A vehicle in which you are traveling was involved in an accident and several passengers including yourself were injured. Describe to sympathizers who have come to visit you in the hospital how the accident happened and what followed.

 7. You were amongst a group of students from your school who went for an excursion to places of interests in your country. Narrate to your classmates who did not go what you saw in at least two of the places you visited, and how you have benefited from the experience.

 8. Tell a story which ends with words “I have had to live with this stigma for the rest of my life”

 9. You have been involved in an accident in which very many of your friends criticized your role. Narrate the accident to a close friend and defend the role you played.

 10. Write a story which ends with the words: “I really agree that a patient dog eats the fattest bone”

 11. You witnessed the campaigns that preceded a Local Government election in your area in which the favorite candidate was defeated. Give a vivid account of the event before, during and after the election to one of your friends, explaining why you think the candidate lost.

12, Write a story in which you where personally involved, ending with: “If I knew he was that kind of person, I wouldn’t have gone out with him”

 13. Narrate the story that illustrates the warning; “Look before you leap”

 14. Tell a story that ends with the words: “It was a bitter experience, but I learnt my lesson”

 15. You have just spent your holiday in another part of the country with a friend, narrate your experience to other friends describing what you found interesting about the customs, food, dress and way of life of your hosts.

16. Narrate an experience you have had or heard about which illustrates the saying: “Honesty is the best policy”

17. Write a story in your school magazine beginning or ending with the sentence: ”I wish I had never met this man”

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