April 2023 – Welcome to Irene Fenollar

Creative Writing: How To Find Work That You Love And Get Paid For It

April 25, 2023 No Comments

Do you love writing but feel like you’re stuck in a never-ending cycle of unpublished manuscripts and low pay? Do you want to be able to write for fun without worrying about financial worries? If so, then you’re going to want to read this article! In it, we’ll discuss ways that you can find work that you love and get paid for it. We’ll also provide some tips on how to sell your work so that you can make the most of your writing career. So whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been writing for years, read on for some helpful advice on finding work that’s perfect for you!

How To Find Work That You Love

There are a lot of ways to find work that you love and get paid for it. You can look online, in newspapers or magazines, or by talking to friends or family members who know people in the industry. If you don’t have any connections, you can reach out to agencies or job boards that specialize in finding jobs for writers.

Another way to find work that you love is to simply write what you love. Start with short pieces or blog posts, and then work your way up to writing longer pieces. If you don’t have any experience writing, there are plenty of resources available online that will teach you the basics. Once you’ve honed your skills, look for opportunities to publish your work online or in print. And finally, never stop networking! You never know who might be able to help you find the perfect job fit.

How To Get Paid For Writing

There are a few ways to get paid for your writing. You can write for free and hope to find an agent or publisher. Or, you can submit your work to contests and win prizes. If you have a blog or website, you can also offer paid content subscriptions or sell advertising space on your site.

If you want to make money from writing, the best way to do so is by finding work that you love and getting paid for it. There are many ways to find this kind of work: through online job postings, word-of-mouth recommendations, or by searching for freelance writing opportunities. When looking for a freelance project or job posting, be sure to research the market before submitting your work. Make sure that the project is well-suited to your skills and interests and that the payment rate is fair. Finally, always keep in mind that if you’re not happy with the project or working conditions, don’t hesitate to tell your client or employer-no one wants unhappy writers!

Creative Writing Tips

Follow your passion. If you love writing, stick to it! There are a lot of ways to make money as a writer, and if you write what you love, you’re likely to find work that pays well.
Write for yourself first. If you enjoy writing but don’t know where to start looking for work, write for yourself first. This will help you gain experience and confidence in your writing skills, which will make it easier to find work that suits your style.
Find literary magazines and journals. Literary magazines and journals are a great way to get started in the magazine world, as they often accept submissions from new writers. Be sure to check their submission guidelines carefully before submitting anything, as many magazines have specific guidelines that must be followed in order for your piece to be considered.
Connect with other writers online. The internet is full of resources for writers of all levels of experience. Join online forums dedicated to writing or posting articles or tips on how to improve your own craft on websites like Writer’s Digest blog or The Huffington Post’s Writing Lessons blog series.
Sell your work online. Selling copies of your work online is another great way to make money as a writer. You can sell e-books, articles, excerpts from books-you name it! Just be sure to include clear instructions on how readers can purchase your content and offer a good deal if possible.

Places To Submit Your Writing

There are many places where you can submit your writing for publication. Some of the most common places include online magazines, online newspapers, and online journals. You can also find publishing opportunities through literary agents and speculative fiction publishers.

Online Magazines:

One of the most common ways to find work as a writer is through online magazines. This is because online magazines often have small editorial staffs that are looking for new submissions. Additionally, many online magazines have their own submission platforms, which makes it easy for you to submit your work.

Some of the most popular online magazines that publish writing are The Paris Review, The New Yorker, and Harper’s Magazine. It’s important to note that not all online magazines are interested in publishing fiction or poetry. So it’s important to research which types of submissions appeal to which publications before submitting your work.

Online Newspapers:

Another way to find writing jobs is through online newspapers. Online newspapers are typically more selective when it comes to accepting submissions, so you will need to make sure your work meets their standards before submitting it. However, many online newspapers accept unsolicited submissions from writers who want to be published without having to wait for a job position to open up.

Some of the most popular online newspapers that publish writing are The New York Times and The Guardian UK. Again, it’s important to research which types of submissions appeal to which publications before submitting your work.

Home Improvement, Home Things

How to Add Curb Appeal to a Ranch-Style House

April 5, 2023 No Comments

If you have a ranch-style home and you are not sure how to properly make it stand out in your street, you are more than likely trying to find ways that you can create a unique ranch house look just as you want it to.

It can be hard to get your home’s exterior looking the way you have it in your mind, but whether you have a contemporary ranch-style home or a classic ranch-style home, there is always something that you can do to make it your own.

So, read on to learn more about the different ranch-style homes and how you can look at adding curb appeal that will definitely provide some visual interest.

What is a Ranch Style House?

It is understandable that you may not know exactly what ranch homes look like, or you have a singular vision in your mind about what they are.

This type of style originated in the 1920s in the United States.

The traditional features of this home are low to the ground, one story, sprawling profile, and a wide-open layout.

It combines modern ideas with the open spaces of the American West, which encapsulates a casual living space within nature, and they often bring in a lot of natural light.

The shape of these homes are normally in U or L shapes and they have large windows, devoted patio or deck space, potentially a front porch, and there is normally a basement or attached garage.

Ideas on How to Add Curb Appeal to a Ranch-Style House

Now that you are aware of what many ranch-style homes look like, it is time to take a look at what you can do to your ranch-style home exteriors to improve curb appeal and add interest to the overall flair. The easiest way to start is by getting wonderfully designed metal signs for farms and adding them to a few points on your property. This not only gives your ranch a more agrarian feel but also fits in with the old-school Americana theme.

After that, you can go on to do improvements to your house’s exterior, do some landscaping on the front yard, spruce up the driveway a bit, and whatever else that feels a bit rustic and homely.

Take it Back to The 60s

The 60s and ranch go hand in hand, and if you love the throwback to that time, you can always make your home look that little bit more classic but with a modern twist.

Using wood accents on the outside with the front door and the slat siding will add some warmth and texture to the home, and with large windows on either side of the front door, it can make the space look more open and airy instead of closed off.

You can do something similar with your garage too. The ones they made back in the 60s were not as sophisticated as the ones we see today. Instead, they had a simple and somewhat open outlay which added a touch of class to the home exterior. To do that to your own garage, you could consider having a look at the bespoke garage designs by The Oak Designs Company for some inspiration.

To bring it a bit closer to this time period, you could think about adding modern house numbers that stand out.

Only a slightly modern update is needed by the front entry as everything else can be given a 60s feel without it looking too out of place.

Energetic Exterior

Mixing greens and burgundy with the shrubbery and trees outside will add a dash of energy to the exterior.

Instead of going for something plain with minimal colors, you can line the brick walkway with brightly colored plants whilst still sticking with the American West theme, so it looks ‘busy’.

It makes it look a lot more interesting with the background of a neutral-colored wall.

Not only is the color intriguing, but it also adds texture to the home, and you might want to add a trellis above the garage doors or the double doors of your home if you want to keep it flowing.

Making it Cozy

If you want your home to look like a calm and cozy oasis that you can relax into at the end of the day, then you probably will need to include furnishings such as sofas and low-rise tables, perhaps some plants, and subtle lighting.

This can pull you even further from the road/street so there is more privacy for you. Also consider adding trees and plants to the garden, under the windows, near the door, and dotted around.

It will generate a more picturesque look and you won’t feel like there is too much going on as it will blend together.

Small Yard

If you have a home with a small yard, then you don’t have much in terms of green landscaping that you can do, so you have to work with what you have.

Think about installing a rock-boarded flower bed, with sculpture-type plants.

This adds visual interest and it doesn’t make it look too bare.

Once you have installed a flower bed, it is crucial to maintain it consistently, so that it keeps adding to the curb appeal of the property. For this, you would need to opt for regular weed control, fertilization, watering, and proper drainage of water in your yard.

If you find unwanted plants growing around the flower bed, uproot them. Like every other organism, flowers need food to survive and thrive, so use appropriate fertilizer to nourish your plants and encourage healthy growth. Water them based on their specific requirements; overwatering or underwatering could pose a threat to their healthy growth.

Likewise, ensure that your yard has proper drainage systems in place. Water logging in your yard can cause soil erosion and damage to plants. If need be, opt for yard grading. Wondering how yard grade can affect drainage? Yard grading is the process of shaping the ground in a yard such that a slope is created for water to flow toward designated drainage points. This prevents water from accumulating in low-lying areas and reduces the risks associated with waterlogging.

By taking these steps, you would be able to create a stunning yard that impresses onlookers.

Mediterranean Style

This may be a controversial one as ranch-style homes encapsulate the American West, however, adding in this type of style can take these homes to a new level.

Accessorizing it with tropical plants, clay tiles, stucco walls, and so on, will make it highly appealing.

Still in keeping with the American style but with a twist of the Mediterranean.

Privacy Landscaping

Like the cozy exterior, this kind of landscaping is all about making the home feel more hidden for the privacy of the owners.

If you have bedrooms that face the street, then you may want to add accents that will stop people from being able to see straight into your home which is something that is not exactly ideal, especially if you do not have a big enough front lawn.

Line the walkway with mid-height shrubs, that give direction without being too open to the outside world.

You could also have a mid-height tree that is able to partially block some windows but still allow the light in during the morning.

Ranch-style houses are normally one story, so the tree does not need to be too high for privacy, plus, it adds shade to the garden which is great during the summer months when the sun is bright and the temperatures are high.

Elegant Accents

If you would prefer a bit of class to your home, you can always try an elegant look that relies on basic accents instead of overloading the entire exterior.

Think about large double doors with a single block of color, for example, matte black. This would look great a classy against neutral color siding as it won’t draw too much attention or look mismatched.

You can have a minimal trellis with single-color greenery climbing up the side and a similar-style fence that borders part of the home near large windows.

You might also want to look at stone statues or plant containers that make the entrance look a lot more elegant.

Spotlight The Porch

If you have a front porch then you can make this the focal point of your home’s exterior, adding in plants and flowers as well as a stone walkway, all of this can make the walk to your home interesting and unique.

You could also turn it into an additional room for relaxing and holding events by screening it in. With the help of a contractor that works on making Screen Enclosures in Ottawa, ON, or a similar contractor near you, the porch can be enclosed and made into a safe and secure haven.

Further, you may want to add a seating area off to the side so you can sit out there during the summer and relax.

If you have kids you could put in a swinging bench underneath a trellis.

It may not be a fun-filled playset, but kids can enjoy themselves on it and it won’t ruin the overall style of your home, it can blend in with the right kind of design.

Conclusion

Do you think you now know the best way at adding curb appeal to your ranch-style home now and you are ready to start making some changes?

Hopefully, this post has been able to help you make a choice about what you want and how you are going to do it in a way that makes you feel good every time you step outside your house.

Everyday Things

How to Handle Daily Stress

April 4, 2023 No Comments

Stress is unavoidable, but how you react to it is up to you. If stress takes over, it can wreak havoc on your health, mood, and personal relationships. Thankfully, there are many ways to lower your stress levels without undergoing expensive and invasive medical procedures.

Daily stress is a fact of life, and while we can’t always avoid it, finding effective ways to handle it daily can go a long way in helping you to feel better mentally and emotionally. So, what do you do when you experience it?

Fortunately, in our modern era, we have easy access to abundant information that can assist us in managing the stress we encounter on a daily basis. There are numerous methods available to alleviate stress, including engaging in daily meditation, immersing oneself in soothing and calming music, and utilizing stress relief products such as vape devices (see these cheap disposable vapes for reference). These examples represent only a fraction of the potential approaches one can explore to discover additional stress-relieving techniques. To gain further insights into effective methods for reducing stress, delve deeper into the content of this article.

Listen to music

Stress is a part of life, and with that stress comes a toll. Whether at the office, in our relationships, or at home, it has a way of taking over and becoming a negative force. The good news is there are things you can do to help cope with your daily stress. The key is to offer yourself time to unwind and decompress, and one of the best ways you can do this is by listening to music.

Meditate

It’s normal to experience stress in our daily lives, and we even need to stress-manage a little bit. However, too much tension can become damaging, causing us to become anxious, depressed, and angry. Some stress is normal, yet others may result from events that trigger us. Regardless of the source of your stress, you can learn to de-stress with meditation.

Sleep

Many do not understand just how much quality sleep can benefit us, and end up compromising it. Should you have difficulty falling asleep due to stress, you could consider trying out cannabis; maybe buy rosin Canada, if that’s where you live to try out. It might help you relax well, which is necessary for falling asleep. But if you have insomnia, melatonin, a sleep supplement might be helpful.

Exercise

Some ways to deal with stress include getting away from it all, going for a run, or indulging in your favorite hobby. However, one strategy that doesn’t get as much press as the rest is exercising. Exercise gets your blood pumping and endorphins flowing, which boosts your mood. Not only that, but exercise can help with stress in a variety of ways.

Breathe

Stress is often unavoidable, but if you’re prone to it, there are ways that you can reduce the frequency and severity of your stress symptoms. The best thing you can do is breathe since it’s an essential life function. Once you’ve learned to breathe properly and your stress symptoms begin to subside, you can move on to other stress reduction techniques.

Have a hobby

Being stressed is a part of life. Whether you experience stress from your job, family, money, or anything else, it can take a toll on your health. One effective way to manage the stress in your life is to focus on leisure activities you enjoy. Hobbies can relieve tension and lift your mood, and studies show that people who enjoy hobbies tend to have better emotional health. Besides, it could help you explore a creative side that you never knew existed. Qnd when you start witnessing good results from your hard work, you will start feeling better.

Try yoga

Stress can be a big obstacle to your happiness. It can impact your health and lead to weight gain, and also make you feel less energetic. The good news is that yoga is an effective way to manage stress, and here are four reasons to start trying it out today.

Take a bath

Stress is, unfortunately, an everyday part of life. How we respond to it can have a major impact on our health. It can, however, be managed and even alleviated. One great way to combat stress is to take a calming bath.

Laugh

All day, every day; you experience stress. There are stressful situations, like going on a job interview, difficult people, like your boss, and stressful events, like car accidents. But stress doesn’t have to be a negative thing. Laughing is the best medicine for it.

Try stress relieving products

In order to combat stress, sometimes you can use effective stress relief products, such as cannabis. Cannabis has been found to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anxiolytic properties which can all be beneficial for reducing stress. And there are many types of products that you can use in a variety of ways. Take an example of a weed pen; It is a portable smoking instrument that resembles a vape. It is small and convenient to take around with you. So, when you have the time and proper space, you could take a few puffs to decompress and de-stress. Likewise, you could use a more elaborate smoking instrument called the bong, a glass pipe that you can use to smoke cannabis flower. These can be purchased at the One Stop Pipe Shop and other similar stores online, or near you.

Turn off the cell phone

The smartphone has changed the way most of us communicate with each other. It’s replaced landline phones, home phones, beepers, and pagers-and now it’s even threatening away meetings. It’s hard to imagine life without our smartphones, so we use them to communicate with friends, family, and coworkers. Unfortunately, smartphone use can lead to excessive stress, which can have a negative impact on our health.

Change your schedule

Changing your schedule is one simple way to feel less stressed. While busy wedding and event planners have a huge workload, the professionals involved in day-to-day planning can benefit from creating a daily schedule to help reduce stress.

You need to find a balance between work, family, and friends. When you lose track of what is going on in your life, the stress starts to pile up. Without knowing where your stress levels are going, it’s even more difficult to get on top of things. Stay focused on your priorities. Whether it’s working out, meal prepping, or meeting up with friends, prioritize your priorities.