Category: Misc.

“To thine own self be true.” – William Shakespeare

From J.K. Rowling’s “rags to riches” journey with the Harry Potter series to George R.R. Martin‘s Game of Thrones phenomenon, it fascinates us to learn what it is about authors that help them reach their levels of success.

What makes some writers more successful than others? When it comes to becoming an award-winning novelist, is being exceptional at spinning stories and impeccable grammar enough?

Do you have what it takes to be a great writer?

While each writer’s story is different, we have discovered that there are specific characteristics that all successful authors have in common. Here are the top five qualities that make a writer great:

 

• Self-Discipline

 

Great authors need the discipline to stick to a schedule. While it’s true that many writers need to wait to be inspired, writers typically motivate themselves, committed to writing a specified amount such as a chapter over a defined amount of time. Writers work unsupervised; therefore, they know that it’s up to them to monitor their productivity. They know to avoid procrastination. Because writer’s block is something writers dread the most, they know to not stop when they’re “on a roll.”

 

• Good Researchers

 

While some authors write from experience or a vision in their head, many turn to proper old-fashioned research to form their ideas or make their writing more accurate; even some fiction is based on facts.

 

• Problem Solvers

 

Successful and productive writers know they can’t let their egos get in the way. They realize they will hit roadblocks and may require help at some point. They recognize that the best way to stay productive is to seek help when needed. It could be in the form of a mentor, a second pair of eyes, someone to listen, or even tools that check spelling and grammar. While writers are expected to be great at spelling and grammar, you’d be surprised by how many aren’t. Many often have to go back and correct their writing or have an editor look over their work.

 

• Vision

 

Some authors say their stories write themselves. But for most writers, their process starts with a view. Without writing a single word, they know who the key players are in their story. They see the theme and the setting. They know what the central conflict is and the resolution.

 

• Passion for Reading

 

There’s nothing wrong with being moved by someone else’s words. Most authors are inspired to become writers because of a love for reading. Reading and writing complement each other. Like artists and other creatives, the work of favorite writers often inspires their writing. By reading others work, they can recognize lousy writing and identify different styles of writing. The more you read to learn, the more you develop self-awareness of the kind of writer you are and ultimately, want to become.

If you’re an aspiring writer and need inspiration, Progressive Rising Phoenix has a vast variety of award-winning titles in mystery, suspense, action, adventure, fantasy, romance, historical fiction, and sci-fi. Contact us today, and we’ll help get you started.

We all want our kids to read more – and to love reading, but we often lack strategies to make learning enjoyable for them. Reading should be a pleasant, relaxing part of everyday life and it is our role as parents to create the proper reading environment for our children. You need to encourage your child to read at home. To do so, make a comfortable and inviting place for your kid to curl up with their books.

When you set up a home library, you send a strong message that reading is an integral part of family life and that it isn’t reserved exclusively for schools and libraries.

A home library doesn’t necessarily need to take up much space – a corner in your kid’s room may do the trick entirely. All you need is a bookcase, books, and a hint of creativity.

Here are several suggestions for creating a cozy reading area that will spark your child’s creativity and make reading a beloved, enjoyable part of their everyday life:

Choose the Right Spot

Think about a place in your house that would be perfect for keeping and reading books. It should be a cozy, inviting space that makes learning a relaxing activity. Put out soft pillows for your child to snuggle on while reading their favorite story. Make sure the lighting is good for reading.

Put Books Within Reach

Your child is not your height so you should put the books within their reach. Make sure to use low, sturdy shelves to enable your child to select the books they want to read quickly. It is crucial for the racks to be safe for the child, so it is out of the question to have them climbing on a chair or the shelf to reach books.

Rotate the Books Regularly

Have regular rotations by changing the books on display. This way you encourage your child to read new stories instead of continually sticking to cherished favorites. There is nothing wrong with your child having a favorite book, but helping them to explore new writers and new literary worlds is very important.

Put Your Child’s Interests First

When you start filling your child’s home library, include books, magazines, and catalogs that cover topics that are of interest to them. The child’s teacher or the local librarian can be of great help when it comes to finding books on particular subjects. Does your kid love motorcycles? Buy a book about the history of Harley-Davidson, or buy fresh motorcycle magazine issues. What the child wants, the child should get – in a reading form.

Extend the Reading Experience

You should encourage your child to retell the stories in creative ways. Provide them with crayons, a flannel board or any other art materials so they can express and retell parts of the book in their cozy home library area.

Building a home library for your children will encourage their reading activities, and it will help incorporate storytelling into their life from an early age. Visit Progressive Rising Phoenix to choose from a wide variety of interesting books for your child’s home library!

In today’s fast-moving world filled with technology and all kinds of distractions, parents often struggle to find ways to spark interest in reading books in children. While it’s true that technology is terrific on many levels, it is also very addictive. Encouraging the development of children’s literacy is very important, and it is in your child’s best interest to recognize the benefits of reading from early ages.

Here is a list of fun activities that allow you to incorporate reading into your child’s life seamlessly:

Introduce Your Kids to Reading Challenges

Family reading challenges help develop teamwork, goal setting, and determination in children. Working as a family to complete a particular problem will innovate your child’s way of thinking when it comes to shared responsibility and teamwork.

When you make reading a challenge, it automatically becomes more interesting for kids. Decide as a team which book you are going to learn, set a deadline and track your progress. Celebrate each family member’s success. There are many exciting challenges your children are going to love. Try the Bookshelf Scavenger Hunt or Reading Bingo.  

Bring a Story to Life

Children will feel more connected to a book if you bring some part of its story to life. Choose a recipe from one of the books and make a family dinner out of it. Let a book inspire you to create a piece of art as a family, or do an act of kindness you read about in a book. Try out a new activity described in your kid’s favorite book, or visit a city where a particular story took place.

Bringing a book to life gives the reading experience a new dimension, and it makes the children feel a stronger bond with the story.

Schedule Regular Visits to Free Libraries

Free libraries are everywhere, and you probably have at least one near you.  Most libraries have free books for you and your children to read. The principle is wonderfully simple: you take a book, and you leave a book. Visit the Little Free Library website to discover a list of registered small free libraries in your community.

Feel the Magic of Campfire Stories

There is no better way of spending time together as a family than with storytelling. It is without the distraction of tech gadgets and an excellent way of teaching the kids about the elements of a story. Organize family storytelling; build a bonfire, or pretend you and the kids are sitting around a campfire.

Tell make-believe or true stories to each other and encourage your children to tell their stories in detail. It will help them learn about the structure of a story and the proper way to tell a tale.

Go on Outdoor Literacy Walks

Many StoryWalk® exhibits are popping out across communities. They allow your family to walk through a book literally. The pages of a book are deconstructed and hung along a trail. Typically, you can find them in outdoor places, like parks. You can see an exhibit near you by contacting your local library.

Visit Progressive Rising Phoenix for many interesting books for your children!

Reading to your unborn baby brings many benefits – both for the parent and the baby. The relaxation and bonding you feel when you share reading time with your baby are undeniable. Did you know that, according to science, reading to a baby in the womb helps the baby develop early language learning?

It is well-known that reading helps with language development and word recognition in small children. It creates a positive bond between the child and the parent, providing a special unity feeling before bedtime. Knowing that all of these also apply to unborn babies in the womb gives you the ability to get a step ahead of bonding with your child, and preparing them for the outside world.

Let’s list the most important advantages of reading to your unborn baby:  

Reading to Your Unborn Baby Might Make the Baby Smarter

The University of Oregon conducted a study during which they gave pregnant mothers a recording containing a made-up word which they would play to their baby near the end of pregnancy. After they were born, the babies were able to recognize the made-up word and some of its variations. They measured the neural signals the babies emitted to show that they realized the sounds of the fake word. The most cogent response came from the babies who heard the recording most frequently.

In conclusion, the study suggests that infant language learning begins before the baby is born.

Reading to Your Unborn Baby Reduces Maternal Stress

Many studies show reading to your baby in the womb causes the baby’s heart rate to drop, mainly when it’s coming from the mother’s soft, relaxing voice. Reading to your baby doesn’t only help the baby relax, it also helps reduce maternal stress. It will help you relax and slow down, and thoroughly enjoy the early fun moments of parenting and bonding with your child. Nothing reduces stress as much as happiness and love do.

Bonding With Your Unborn Baby Through Reading

Even while your baby is still in the womb, you can experience the bond that usually starts developing after the child is born. All that it takes is for mommy and daddy to read to their baby prenatally. Reading is also a fantastic way for other family members to bond with the baby.

Very often we get caught up in preparing for new life on the practical side, that we forget about the benefits of early attention to the child. Reading to your unborn baby builds a fantastic foundation for future loving relationships.

The Best Books For Your Unborn Baby

It is the process of prenatal reading that matters more than the type of book you choose. However, you apparently shouldn’t read a mystery novel or a thriller while trying to bond with your unborn baby. Reading to your baby should be relaxing and loving, and not stressful in any way. The best books to choose are classic children’s books with cheerful characters and exciting stories. Choose a traditional book or a contemporary, funny fairy tale – whichever you find more interesting. The important thing is to feel calm and loving during the reading process, and you can rest assured it will benefit both you and the baby.

Visit Progressive Rising Phoenix and choose the most heartwarming books to read to your unborn baby!

Reading books isn’t the most popular activity nowadays. We live in the age of technology, where information is always available and thrown at us. We read the news online, we interact with our friends online, and we even listen to music online. The importance of reading a good book seems to have faded over the recent years.

Instead of reading, we often choose to watch Netflix shows, and as much as watching TV can be great, reading is an activity that can help you improve various skills. It enables you to make the most of your naturally given talents, and it helps you develop some new skills that are exclusive to reading.

Let’s talk about ways reading can help you career-wise:

Reading Helps You Beat Stress

Losing yourself in a great book swipes away all the stress of everyday life. A great story will transfer you to another world; it will capture your attention and bring you to another dimension, allowing you to explore different cultures and realms. On the other hand, an engaging article will help you de-stress while keeping you in the present, and providing satisfying new information. It will allow you to relax and let tensions disappear.

The University of Sussex conducted a study, and it revealed that reading might reduce stress by up to 68 percent. It reduces stress better and faster than other popular methods, such as listening to music or drinking tea. A book invites your mind into a different world where the stress triggers from your everyday life don’t exist.

Reading Makes You Smarter

Reading fills your mind with new information. You’re getting more insight into the human psychology, into different cultures, different eras, or countries. The more knowledge and insight you have the better prepared you will be for any challenge that comes your way.

It doesn’t matter what your profession is, or whether you are a janitor or a CEO, more knowledge makes you smarter and sharper. Reading books about your industry will give you the necessary knowledge and confidence to move forward with your career. No matter where you want to get, you will get there faster if you read more.

The More You Read – The Better Your Analytic Skills

You should think of reading as an exercise for the brain. It can force you to get into it and think forward, backward, and sideways. You would be surprised what a good mystery novel can do to your analytical skills. When reading a fascinating book with a lot of mystery in it, your mind is always taking mental notes, trying to remember every specific detail.

Reading Enriches Your Vocabulary

When you read a book, you get exposed to a new world filled with new words and phrases. No two writers are entirely alike. The more you read, the more words you keep seeing and many of these words will make their way into your vocabulary.

Every profession needs people who are well-spoken and articulate. Being able to communicate with a rich vocabulary gives you credibility and enhances your self-confidence.

Visit Progressive Rising Phoenix to explore many exciting titles and start working on your professional skills right now!