| How to Be a Professional Content Writer Posted: 22 Apr 2016 05:00 PM PDT Professional content writers create written content for a living. A professional writer should be competent and skillful, and they should be engaged in writing as their main paid occupation.[1] As a content writer, you may write content on a variety of topics for a variety of organizations, from popular websites to scientific and technical print documents or manuals. The benefits of being a professional content writer includes being paid for an activity you enjoy (writing), and as you become more established, the ability to work remotely or from a home office. EditDeveloping Your Writing Skills - Understand the realities of content writing. Before you plunge into a content writing career, it's important to be aware of the facts. Most writers graduate with a degree or certificate in content writing and are quick to learn the realities of the industry, including:
 - Low pay. Most content writing positions do not pay well, especially entry level writing positions. Small newspapers or publications are often good places to start in terms of gaining experience and contacts. But often, the compensation will be $10-$12 an hour.[2] The average salary for content writers in the United States is $40,000 a year. Higher paying positions in the content writing field include project managers, online researchers, and proposal writers. However, you will need higher levels of experience to qualify for these positions.[3]
- Lack of creative license. Though you may think content writing will give you a chance to showcase your creativity and rousing ability with words, in fact, most content writing is seen as a way to sell a product or simply inform a reader of the facts. In a content writer role, you will likely be writing about dry or dull topics, though you may get a chance to also write copy for more engaging projects on occasion. Your employer will dictate the topics you write about, and you will need to learn to be flexible and engaged on even the most obscure or boring subjects, regardless of your personal preference.[4]
- Quick turnarounds. When you write for an employer, on their timeline, you will need to be able to write fast and write well. This is especially true for writers just breaking into content writing. Often, your project will come with an expected words per hour, or article per hour, as well as strict deadlines. You will not have time to labor over every word or turn of phrase. Instead, you will need to produce content fast and at a constant rate.[5]
- Consider a technical writing certificate. Technical writing is a type of content writing that focuses on communicating technical material through manuals, reports, and online documents. This could be a how to guide, a safety manual for a worksite, or a document on a process or procedure. There is a growing demand for technical writers who can explain complex procedures to the average reader.
- Most technical writing programs are accelerated and take one to two years to complete. These programs will focus on improving your organizational skills, your project management skills, your ability to create user guides and documents, and your ability to write content for online formats.
- Check your local college or university for a technical writing certificate program. Look at the faculty of the program to confirm you are being taught by professionals in the field or working content writers who are familiar with the demands of the writing industry. Certificate programs can be beneficial for writers who are new to content writing or technical writing.[6]
- Take a content writing class online. Some professional content writers argue that academic programs may be too basic or general for individuals who already have some writing experience or an existing English degree. If you feel you are already a skillful writer, you will likely need technical writing skills that you can gain through a content writing class online.[7]
- To get technical writing tools, get a subscription to a site like Lynda.com for $25 and go through the courses on Illustrator, Captivate, Photoshop, and other Adobe products.
- To gain knowledge on tech-comm based programs like Flare, Robohelp, or Framemaker, you may need to look at other institutions online for classes on these programs.
- Use an existing degree to get into content writing. An English degree, or other writing and reading focused degree, can be used to get into content writing, especially if you feel you have strong writing skills. Consider how well you did in your English classes, writing essays, book reports, and other assignments. Would you be willing to spend hours a day writing on a variety of topics for an employer? Could your existing writing skills translate into more professional writing for an employer?[8]
- You may want to supplement your existing degree with a content writing course, or a technical writing tutorial online.
EditNetworking and Building Experience - Look into internships. While you are doing your degree, start looking for internship opportunities at local publications in your area. Some publications may offer summer positions to gain experience in the field and a taste of the professional writing world.
- You may also want to consider doing an internship at a publication you hope to work for full time in the future to make connections with editors and other writers at the publication. Many of these internships will likely not be paid, at least not at first. Be prepared to receive compensation in the form of connections and contacts. But be wary of being taken advantage of as free labor. If you feel uncomfortable working for free, try to find internships that pay.[9]
- A database of writing internships can be found here: http://www.writersweekly.com/markets_and_jobs.php.
- Join the Professional Writers Alliance. The PWA is a member based organization that acts as a "virtual learning hall" for professional writers. They offer writing and career resources, tools, tutorials, and connections to other professional writers.[10]
- There is a fee to join the PWA, but it is significantly lower than other writing associations and many successful copywriters and content writers are members of the PWA.
- Find a mentor. Talk to the professors in your program, the editors at publications you are interning at or are trying to write for, or other writers in a content writing organization or alliance. A mentor is someone who has extensive experience in the content writing industry and can impart valuable professional knowledge and career advice.[11]
- There are also professional content writers who offer mentorship, for a fee. Often the best mentors are ones you can get the know personally and work with closely on a one on one basis. Before you sign up for a mentorship online, look for possible mentors in your workplace or your academic program.
- Practice article writing. Learn how to write a newspaper article and how to write a wikiHow article. As a professional content writer, you may find a position that focuses on journalistic article style writing, or more educational how to writing. Study the form, structure, voice, and tone of each type of article so you are familiar with both types.
- Choose an existing wikiHow article that seems well written and well researched. Create your own version of the article, for example, How to Write a Screenplay, and then compare your version to the existing, professional version online. Note the organization of the article, the tone and voice of the article, and the examples used in the article.
- Use a newspaper article from a local publication or an online publication and break it down based on the upside triangle structure of a typical newspaper article. Does the article conform to the traditional structure or does it use a different structure or form? Does the writer seem credible and believable? Does the article use reputable sources and quotes to support any arguments in the article?
EditFinding a Writing Position - Get familiar with the content writer pay scale. Many content writers starting out in their careers are not sure how much they should be paid per word. Most publications pay by word, or by hour, with a certain word count expectation. On average, content writers should be paid no less than $0.02 per a word, but may not reach more than $1 a word. Salaried positions are different, as you will be paid a yearly rate for a certain amount of work. It can be difficult to get a salaried position fresh out of graduation or when you're just starting out. Most content writers will start out working per word, or per hour.[12]
- You may start out in a position that pays $17-$20 an hour, and if you write fast, this may translate to $0.03 per a word. This is fine as a starting wage, and often, the expected rate in the content writing industry.
- As you gain more experience and become a faster writer, your writing opportunities may average $0.03 - $0.10 per a word. This can translate into a healthy hourly rate. However, you will make more money by pitching to clients directly, rather than relying on job boards or databases for clients.
- Customize your resume and cover letter. If you decide to go a more traditional route and apply for a permanent content writing position at a writing based agency or organization, you will need to customize your resume and cover letter to fit the position. This will show your employer that you noted the skills outlined in the job posting and that you can fulfill the expectations of the position.
- Don't be afraid to take entry level positions. As you start out, you may need to take on low paying writing positions to gain experience and build your portfolio. These may be small freelance gigs, at a low rate for a set amount of words, or this may be a permanent content writing position at a company for a low salary.[13]
- As you complete each content writing gig, or as you gain more experience in a permanent position, add each article or piece of writing to an online portfolio. This will then help you network for other writing projects and positions in the future. With enough clips and contacts, you may then be able to go freelance and work for yourself as a content writer.[14]
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| How to Draw a Bonsai Tree Posted: 22 Apr 2016 09:00 AM PDT Translated, Bonsai means "plantings in tray," as bon means a tray or a low-sided pot and sai, plantings. With these easy steps, learn to draw a simple bonsai tree. Simply put, you'll learn to draw a miniature tree. Therefore, you can also alter these steps to draw a larger tree! - Draw a pot. It could be a square or round, depending on your preference. Then, start with the trunk as shown.
- Add in branches.
- Draw ovals for basis of the leaves.
- Add in details! Scribble leaves as shown. Add rocks and molds to add a dramatic look to your tree.
- Outline your bonsai and erase guidelines.
- Color it.
- Finished.
- Finished.
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| How to Alleviate Pain Caused by Trigeminal Neuralgia Posted: 22 Apr 2016 01:00 AM PDT Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve (the largest of the craniofacial nerves). Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by intense burning, stabbing, and aching pains in different regions of the face at different intervals. There are two subtypes of trigeminal neuralgia known as type 1 (TN1) and type 2 (TN2). If you suffer from trigeminal neuralgia, there are steps you can take to alleviate pain.[1] EditAlleviating Pain Medically - Ask your doctor about anticonvulsant medicines. Anticonvulsant medications are one of the most common treatments for trigeminal neuralgia. Your doctor may prescribe one or more anticonvulsants until he finds the one that works the best to manage your pain symptoms.[2]
- Anticonvulsant medications are typically prescribed instead of traditional painkillers (such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), which are not as effective at blocking the electrical signals from the misfiring neurons that are causing the sensations of pain.[3]
- Carbamazepine is the is the usual initial anticonvulsant medication treatment. [4]
- Oxcarbazepine is similar to carbamazepine in effectiveness and may be better tolerated, but is more expensive. Gabapentin and lamotrigine are often used for patients who cannot tolerate carbamazepine.
- Baclofen may be a useful medication to take alongside the anticonvulsant, particularly in patients with TN related to multiple sclerosis.
- Anticonvulsant medications may lose their efficacy over time as they build up in the bloodstream; at this point, your doctor may switch your prescription to a different anticonvulsant that your body has not grown insensitive to.[5]
- Get a prescription for tricyclic antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants are commonly used to manage symptoms of depression but they can also be prescribed to manage chronic pain.[6]
- Tricyclic antidepressants are often effective in managing chronic pain conditions, such as atypical facial pain, but are not generally useful in classical trigeminal neuralgia.
- Tricyclic antidepressants tend to be prescribed in lower doses for chronic pain management versus when they are used to treat depression.[7]
- Common tricyclic antidepressants used to treat chronic pain include amitriptyline and nortriptyline.[8]
- Avoid analgesics and opioids. Analgesics and opioids are not useful in managing the paroxysms of pain in classical TN.[9] However, some people with TN2 respond to analgesics and opioids.
- TN2 consists of constant pain that can be dampened by these medications as they build up in the bloodstream, while TN1 consists of sharp recurring pain episodes that cannot effectively be lessened by these drugs.[10]
- Your doctor can prescribe analgesics and opioids such as allodynia, levorphanol, or methadone.
- Try antispasmodic agents. Antispasmodic agents are used to ease pain sensations caused by trigeminal neuralgia attacks. They are sometimes used in conjunction with anticonvulsants.[11]
- Antispasmodics, otherwise known as muscle relaxants, are prescribed to treat trigeminal neuralgia because they inhibit involuntary muscle movements that can be triggered by misfiring neurons during a trigeminal neuralgia episode.
- Common antispasmodics include Kemstro, Gablofen, and Lioresal; these are all members of the baclofen family of drugs.
- Ask about Botox injections. Your doctor may consider Botox injections to treat your trigeminal neuralgia if you become insensitive and unresponsive to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, and antispasmodic medications.[12]
- Botox has shown to be effective for pain management in a high percentage of patients with trigeminal neuralgia, especially those with rapid muscle twitching.[13]
- Many people feel uncomfortable considering Botox injections due to negative connotations from their use in plastic surgery; however, you should not discount this treatment modality because it can effectively help you to manage your chronic facial pain after you have exhausted your other options.
- Consider alternative medicine. Alternative medicine options have not been studied enough to be determined as effective for treating trigeminal neuralgia. Even so, many people report some pain relief from modalities such as acupuncture and nutritional therapy.[14]
EditAlleviating Pain Surgically - Ask about surgery. Trigeminal neuralgia is a progressive condition. Although medications can help you manage symptoms over time, more aggressive cases of this condition can lead to permanent damage to the trigeminal nerve, which can result in debilitating pain or partial permanent facial numbness.[15] If you do not respond to medication surgery may be considered.
- Your doctor will work with you to help you choose the best surgery based on your health and medical background. The degree of severity of your trigeminal neuralgia, prior history of neuropathy, and general health all factor into the options that are available to you.
- The overall goal of surgery is to minimize damage to the trigeminal nerve as trigeminal neuralgia advances and to improve quality of life when medications no longer effectively manage pain.
- Try balloon compression. The goal of balloon compression is to slightly damage the trigeminal nerve branches so that pain impulses cannot be transmitted.[16]
- During the procedure, a small balloon is inserted into the skull through a catheter and as it inflates, the trigeminal nerve is pressed against the skull.
- This is typically an outpatient procedure that is performed under general anesthesia, although sometimes an overnight hospital stay is needed.
- Balloon compression results in about two years of pain relief.
- Many patients experience temporary facial numbness or weakness in muscles used for chewing after undergoing this procedure, but are generally relieved of pain symptoms.[17]
- Ask about glycerol injection. Glycerol injection is used to treat trigeminal neuralgia that particularly affects the third and lowest branch of the trigeminal nerve.[18]
- During this outpatient procedure, a thin needle is inserted through the cheek into the base of the skull and near the 3rd division of the trigeminal nerve.
- Once the glycerol is injected, it damages the trigeminal nerve, resulting in pain relief.
- This procedure usually results in about 1 to 2 years of pain relief.
- Try radiofrequency thermal lesioning. Radiofrequency thermal lesioning, also known as RF ablation, is an outpatient procedure consisting of coagulating nerve fibers with an electrode to desensitize areas where pain is experienced.[19]
- During the procedure, a needle with an electrode is inserted into the trigeminal nerve.
- Once the area of nerve that causes the pain is located, your doctor sends small electrical pulses through the electrode to damage the nerve fibers, resulting in numbing of the site.
- In about 50% of the patients, the symptoms reoccur three to four years following the procedure.
- Research stereotactic radiosurgery (or gamma knife). This procedure uses computer imaging to send focused radiation to the trigeminal nerve.[20]
- During the procedure, the radiation creates a lesion of the trigeminal nerve, which disrupts sensory signals to the brain and reduces pain.
- Patients can often leave the hospital the same day or the day following the procedure.
- Most patients who undergo gamma knife report pain relief after a few weeks or months but pain often reoccurs within three years.
- Try microvascular decompression (MVD). MVD is the most invasive surgical procedure for trigeminal neuralgia. During surgery your doctor makes a hole behind the ear. Then, using an endoscope to visualize the trigeminal nerve, your doctor will place a cushion between the nerve and the blood vessel that compresses the nerve.[21]
- The recovery time for this procedure varies from person to person and often requires a hospital stay.
- This is the most effective surgical treatment for trigeminal neuralgia. About 70-80% of patients have immediate, complete pain relief and 60-70% remain pain free at 10-20 years.[22]
- Understand neurectomy. Neurectomy involves removing a part of the trigeminal nerve. This invasive,ablative procedure is reserved for patients who are refractory to other treatments or who cannot undergo the alternative surgical procedures. [23]
- Neurectomies are often performed when a blood vessel is not found pressing on the nerve during an MVD.
- During the procedure, different portions of the trigeminal nerve's branches are removed to grant pain relief.
- TN1 consists of sudden episodes of sharp pain that last for a few seconds up to two minutes. The pain is in the cheek or chin area, only rarely does it involve the forehead.
- TN2 (or atypical trigeminal neuralgia) is when the patient experiences persistent facial pain. Atypical trigeminal neuralgia is a completely different condition that is much less well understood than classical trigeminal neuralgia.
- Patients with classical trigeminal neuralgia often avoid touching the face because touch may trigger a spasm of pain. Patients with atypical facial pain often massage or rub the face. This difference is helpful in distinguishing between the two conditions.
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