INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Try to learn what works for other writers and incorporate these techniques into your own process. Writing workshops will often have you write during the time you are there. The instructor will usually talk about a particular style of writing and how to use that technique yourself. In classes, you'll be assigned writing projects to do at home. You may also be asked to read books that discuss writing techniques. You can find workshops by checking listings at your local library. You can also run an internet search to find writing workshops in your area. Community colleges also offer writing classes. Most writers who author books on writing also talk about their process, which can help you refine your own. Choose an author who writes in the same genre(s) that you do. Let people you trust read your work, or join a workshopping group where you can exchange your writing with other people; workshopping groups offer critiques to one another and can help you improve your writing over time while also improving the story you are working on at the time. You can find a workshopping group through your local library, online, or through social media platforms. If you can't find one you like, create one with a group of friends that have similar interests. Receiving constructive criticism can be challenging, but try to remember not to take the criticism personally. Most other writers will have a genuine interest in helping you write better. However, that doesn't mean they're always right, so take criticism with a grain of salt. Use the criticism that you feel makes the piece better; throw out what doesn't. Keep in mind that it's usually a safe bet that if quite a few people point to the same part of a piece of writing over and over again, then you should probably do something to change it.

SUMMARY: Take classes and one day workshops on writing. Read books on writing. Ask for help from other people. Learn how to deal with criticism.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: How you handle an embarrassing situation depends on what has happened to embarrass you. For example, if you did something wrong, like made an inappropriate comment to a friend, you may feel embarrassed because you should not have said what you did. But if you feel embarrassed because you did something by accident, like tripping and falling in front of a large group of people, that is a different situation. Each situation requires a slightly different approach to overcome the feelings of embarrassment. If you did something wrong, you will need to apologize for your mistake. Having to apologize might make you feel a bit more embarrassed, but it is necessary to deal with the original embarrassment and move forward. Make sure that your apology is sincere and direct. Try saying something like, "I am sorry that I did/said that. I didn't mean it. I will try to be more thoughtful in the future." After you have apologized (if it was necessary), you need to forgive yourself for what you did or said. Forgiving yourself is an important step in dealing with embarrassment because it will help you to stop beating yourself up. By forgiving yourself, you are sending yourself the message that you made an honest mistake and it is nothing to dwell on. Try telling yourself something like, "I forgive myself for what I did. I am only human and I am bound to make mistakes sometimes." While you don't want to ignore the embarrassing thing that you did or said, after you have evaluated it and dealt with the situation you should move on. You can help yourself and other move past the embarrassing thing by changing the subject or inviting them to do something else. For example, after you have apologized and forgiven yourself for saying something inappropriate to a friend, ask them if they watched the news last night. Or, pay them a compliment. Say something like, "Hey, I love your outfit. Where did you get it?"

SUMMARY: Evaluate the situation. Apologize if necessary. Forgive yourself and stop beating yourself up. Distract yourself and others.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Skype is one of several Voice over Internet Protocol services, which uses wifi or cellular data to call instead of minutes. If the person you are trying to reach is also a Skype user, you can call them for free, regardless of the distance. Get the Skype app in the iOS App Store or Microsoft Store. Then, create an account using your email address. If the person you're trying to reach doesn't have Skype but does have a landline, you're in luck! All you have to do is buy Skype credit by selecting the call destination location and amount of minutes that you want. Then, you are able to call landline numbers in that region. You can also purchase monthly subscriptions that allow you to pay a flat monthly fee for unlimited minutes of calling to certain locations. for free international voice and video calling. Like Skype, WhatsApp uses the internet to connect you with the person that you're trying to call. The only requirement is that the person you're trying to reach is also a WhatsApp user. The sound quality of your voice call will depend on the strength of the internet connection of both parties. Make sure your internet connection is strong in order to have the best quality call! While on a voice call, you can switch to a video call by tapping "Video Call" and then selecting "SWITCH." If the person you're calling accepts the switch, the call will shift from an audio to a video call. Add up to 4 participants to create a group voice call. If you have 3 other friends that you want to include in the conversation, no worries! While you're on a voice call with 1 person, tap the "Add participants" options and search for another contact to add to the call. Once you find them, hit "ADD." to call or video-chat with other Apple device users. FaceTime is the video and audio chatting feature on Apple devices (Macs, iPhones, iPads) that uses data rather than minutes. This means that you can easily make video and audio calls internationally without worrying about extra fees. If you're traveling to Mexico and you put a Mexican SIM card in your phone, go to Settings and then open FaceTime settings. Double-check that your Mexican phone number is listed and selected under "You can be reached by FaceTime at."

SUMMARY: Use Skype to call both landlines and other Skype accounts. Use WhatsApp Turn to FaceTime

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Try to see which tones in your drawing match the tones on the scale. Important - use your scale, not the one here! If you think your drawing lacks something, probably the only tones you can match are in the middle range, say 4 to 6. So what does this tell you? To give your drawing dynamism, you must be able to see the dark tones - whether it's 8, 9 or 10 on your tonal scale, it needs to have, somewhere, the darkest, strongest tone you can make. It often only needs to be a small area that has this darkest tone, but it makes all the difference to the result. 1, the darkest, No 10 (or whatever it is on your scale), and one or two in the middle range - say 4 and 6. Don't be too worried about the middle ranges, they usually look after themselves -it's the lightest and darkest which seem to cause problems, and that's the purpose of this exercise - to make you aware of them. Although it's vital, somehow it doesn't cause a anything like the anxiety to beginners that the dark tones do! "I'm scared!" is a common cryWell, it's a sheet of paper - you won't kill anyone or drown or cause an accident - so just do it!

SUMMARY:
Find some drawings you've done, and compare them to the scale. Equally important is Tone Number 1, pure white - this, and the darkest tone, give you the complete tonal range to use in your drawings. Important - You don't need all these tones - 1 to 10 - in a drawing, but you do need the lightest, No. Look at pure white tone No 1 for a minute. Beginners often make a superb tonal scale, but somehow are afraid to re-create that darkest tone on their actual drawings. Good quality pencils and paper will definitely help - the next article will show you the pencil grades, and how to get the most from them. Happy drawing!