Archive for January, 2010

Let’s Collaborate!

January 13th, 2010

Whoever said that technology was killing the book world may have grossly underestimated the impact of the internet on collaborative book writing. Collaborative books are the perfect option for those who want to partake in a large project, but simply don’t have the time or energy to take it on alone. By writing collaborative books, you can create an idea and have others comment and contribute chapters to your storyline. If you’re running dry on ideas, but still enjoy writing, then you can run off of somebody else’s idea.

Imagine reading a book and realizing that you are unhappy with the direction in which the story is headed. Many of us tend to run through dozens of scenarios which we believe would make for better storyline options. With collaborative writing, you can make suggestions along with other authors in order to create the best possible route for the storyline. This is the perfect option for creating the perfect book, after all, two heads are better than one, just as three heads are better than two.

Collaborative writing is a fantastic way to get feedback on your own work. Not only can you get instantaneous criticism, but you will learn how to work effectively with others. Writing collaborative books is also a fantastic way to help students learn efficient and practical writing skills. By viewing the writing of their peers, students will work harder to match the quality of writing to the strongest writer in the group. Therefore, when setting this exercise up, it is best to pair a top notch writer with a series of less experienced writers. It truly is incredible at how much people can learn from one another through examples and modeling.

Furthermore, collaborative book writing can have an amazing effect on an initial story idea. Not only can collaborators twist and mold the story into something intricate and fantastically entertaining, but you might find that the initial idea transforms completely in order to become something even more intriguing. Anything can happen when you throw a group of writers together. All you need to do is have an open mind and be accepting to new thoughts and ideas.

If you usually have trouble taking criticism and working with others, collaborative book writing may not be for you. However, if you find that you enjoy creating material alongside others, then you should absolutely give this art form a try! Even back in the old days, it has been rumored that the legendary William Shakespeare collaborated with other authors such as Christopher Marlowe and Queen Elizabeth. Also, top authors usually have to collaborate with editors in order to make their work ready for publishing. In short, collaboration is going on all around us, whether or not we realize it. The best work comes out of collaborative processes. So if you’re uncomfortable with collaborating with others, it is highly recommended that you get over this fear, because it is a skill you will need in order to succeed in life.

Enjoy Contemporary American Fare Aboard the Worlds Largest 4-Masted Sailing Ship

January 13th, 2010

Looking for a unique seafood restaurant in Philadelphia? Make reservations at a waterfront restaurant with private dining rooms, outdoor decks and unparalleled views of the city. Aboard one of the world’s largest four-masted sailing ships, you and your guests can savor contemporary American fare, surrounded by unique South Seas scenery and beautiful views of the harbor and Philadelphia skyline. Come for brunch, lunch or dinner, or book a table for a special event such as a birthday, wedding, rehearsal dinner, graduation or more at Philadelphia restaurant. Dining on the decks of a ship will make you feel as though you’re on an exotic, romantic vacation, all while moored at Penn’s Landing.

Philadelphia restaurant offers a wide selection of inspired seafood lunch and dinner entrees. From the lunch menu, try the grilled seafood salad with chilled gulf shrimp, diver scallops, lump crabmeat, hardwood-smoked bacon, tomato, cucumber, blue cheese, avocado, Boston lettuce and balsamic vinaigrette. Or, try the yellow fin tuna with French green lentils, warm wild mushroom salad and black pepper port reduction. The lunch menu includes a wide range of delicious appetizers and entrees, as well as sandwiches, vegetarian selections, and meals to accommodate special dietary needs.

From the dinner menu, Philadelphia restaurant offers a selection of delicious appetizers, soups, salads special entrees, steak, seafood and vegetarian options. You and your guests will love dining on the freshest seafood on the outdoor decks of this ship, or within a private dining room, surrounded by beautiful South Seas decor. Menu options include the jumbo lump crab cake with fingerling potatoes, bacon, fennel herb salad and vermouth shallot cream, or surf & turf with zinfandel braised short ribs, lobster, mashed potatoes and glazed young carrots. Seafood fans will love the herb-crusted rainbow trout with 12-hour braised short ribs, leek confit, heirloom potatoes and red wine sauce, or the Loch Duart Scottish salmon with French green lentils, warm wild mushroom herb salad and black pepper port jus. Try the wild mushroom-crusted mahi-mahi with shallot-roasted young spinach, Yukon gold potatoes and roasted garlic porcini cream. If you like scallops, you’ll love Viking Village diver scallops with winter black truffle parsnip puree, chestnut sweet potato gnocchi, Brussels sprouts and apple wood smoked bacon vinaigrette.