How much research did you have to do before writing your book? That's one of the questions you'll hear most often if you've just published an international thriller. Implicit is the assumption all that research had to be done before the story was written, yet in reality the writing process was never that linear, especially for a first-time author.  Continue reading...

Michael Tangeman, who writes a blog on effective communications called Media Mindshare, says of the "relations" part of media relations: "It gets to the core of the job of media relations specialists, which is not so much to "relate" as it is to effectively "relay" the message of the organizations or individuals we represent to the media, and by extension to the public." How? Michael offers a list of tips and techniques here.

Rosanne Cash has been writing songs for over three decades, most recently releasing the critically acclaimed album Black Cadillac in 2006. But she doesn't limit herself just to music. "My liveliest cottage industry now is writing for magazines," she says. And besides contributing essays to The New York Times, New York Magazine, Martha Stewart Living and other publications, Rosanne has also written a book of short stories and a children's book. We here at the Visual Thesaurus were thrilled to have a fascinating conversation with Rosanne about her work:  Continue reading...

Ready to step up to the podium and wow 'em? Okay, we thought you might need a little boost. Great public speakers aren't born that way. These blogs help you develop the skills you need to sizzle in front of an audience:

Great Public Speaking

Speak Schmeak

Public Speaking Sucker

HELLO, My Name is BLOG

Executive Speech Coach

In this lesson, students are asked to evaluate particular brand names that were developed from words in the English language. Students are then asked to develop their own original brand names to sell products that they feel have been poorly named.  Continue reading...

Mary Lee and Frankie, who write the blog A Year of Reading, are elementary school teachers with three books between them: Reconsidering Read-Aloud , Beyond Leveled Books and Still Learning to Read. Last week they recommended books for students. This week they graciously pass along this list of reading and writing books for educators:

Strategies That Work by Stephanie Harvey

Growing Readers by Kathy Collins

Comprehension Through Conversation by Maria Nichols

Reading With Meaning by Debbie Miller

Boy Writers by Ralph Fletcher

The Revision Toolbox by Georgia Heard

Study Driven by Katie Wood Ray