Okay. We've all heard about it. It's the dirty little word that the Fed has tried to shove under the rug: Recession. I'm a freelancer, so I don't have any stocks, but I am wondering how this inevitable economic slowdown will affect me (though some report that economic recession began back in December). But I'm sure I'm not the only one who's wondering. So here's your weekend writing idea - write about the U.S. economic recession. This subject is just rife with subtopics:

• How will it affect the average American?
• How will it affect investors?
• What long-term effects may it have on individuals or businesses?
• How can this recession be compared to those in the past?
• Why does the Fed reduce interest rates? (And what interest rates? What happens when they do this?)
• How does anyone know when an economy goes into recession?
• How can a person protect him- or herself against recession?
• How can you save for university in a recession?
• What relation does recession have to inflation?
• What do you do with your stocks during a recession?
• What do you do with your socks during a recession? (Hah - just seeing if you're reading.)
• What do experts have to say about recession in general?

Even if the answers seem obvious, to some readers, they aren't. Customers interested in investment/finance/budgeting articles will surely be interested in articles about recession because this is the current buzzword ("real estate bubble" was a recent one that finally seems to have buzzed itself right out) . Recession is also something that people are generally worried about and don't fully understand. Putting information about economic recession into layman's terms seems the right course of action if you're having trouble thinking of articles to write on spec.

Have a warm weekend, for those of you in frosty regions of the world. For those of you who aren't, can you absorb some sunlight for the rest of us?

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What? You don't have anything to write about this weekend? How about taking a stab at the following topic:

Local Television and Radio Commercials for Businesses

While I don't watch a lot of television, I've always been amused by the locally produced commercials advertising businesses in the area. Radio commercials are only a little better . . . sometimes. Given the interest Constant Content's customers have in advertising and business articles, this topic seems pertinent and potentially lucrative. Examples of article topics include:

• How to produce an inexpensive television or radio commercial
• How to find actors/voice actors for your commercial
• Effective voice and audio advertising techniques
• Why you should never use PowerPoint for your commercials
• How to get your ad on local television and radio stations
• Colors not to wear when appearing on television (hello, yellow!)
• How to appeal to your targeted demographic
• What information to include in your commercial
• Why poorly animated characters insult your audience (or why they don't? - I have no idea why the local cable service provider feels it's acceptable to run ads that belie its shameless monopoly on the region; I'm sure it can afford higher quality ads that might be slightly more convincing.)

Certainly, writers who have experience in business and advertising could think of even more (and more useful) articles related to this topic.

Have a great weekend!

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Writing is about being clear and using descriptive words to make points, convey ideas, or describe situations, scenes, and people. That is why writers should never use the word "thing" - a thing is rarely just a thing, and writers usually mean something else like:

• Object
• Item
• Unit
• Aspect
• Detail
• Issue
• Element
• Factor
• Characteristic
• Problem
• Feature
• Component
• Quality

For example, the sentence, "The things to look for in a potential mate are honesty, sincerity, and emotional maturity," would be more descriptive if written, "The qualities to look for in a potential mate are honesty, sincerity, and emotional maturity."

If you're writing a how-to about making a birdhouse and want the reader to gather the necessary materials or equipment, instead of saying, "Collect the following things," write, "Collect the following objects." (You could also be even more specific and instruct them to gather materials and tools. )

In short, the more specific you can be without bogging down your text with confusing details, the better. "Thing" is not specific, and this word should not be used in professional, sophisticated writing except in the most literal sense. It is also appropriate in dialogue to show derision or to identify a person's ignorance.

"When was this thing made?" Roger asked his roommate, closing the hood of the rusty Ford Nova and wiping his hands on a clean towel.

"Move the thing! No . . . that other thing!" shouted Vizzini to Inigo and Fezzick. The vessel sailed in the direction of the Cliffs of Insanity, where the three villains with their hostage would shake the trail of the Man in Black.

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Weekends are a time for rest, but they are also, for most of us, a time for writing. So if you're going into the weekend without any firm plans for what to write about, consider pondering the possibilities of the following topic:

Sustainability

Sustainability is hot topic right now. It is being incorporated into social policy, new building constructions, and everyday living. The idea of sustainability has even eclipsed the concept of recycling and simply "green energy" (though this latter topic is not yet in danger of becoming passe). After all, most communities haven't expanded their ability to recycle certain types of plastics (curb-side recycling collection is often limited to #1 and #2 plastics) in the years that this service has been available - at least in the U.S. Sustainability, at a very basic level, incorporates long-lasting and harmless (or less harmful) energy production or usage (environmental accountability), awareness of the environment and the health of future generations, and little or no resource depletion.

The concept of sustainability offers a great variety of article focuses:

• Sustainability today
• What is sustainability?
• Constructions that have been built using sustainability principles
• Sustainable design features
• Architecture firms that focus on sustainability
• Most sustainable communities/cities/states/countries/cultures
• Natural vs. man-made sustainability
• How to incorporate sustainability into a new home or old home
• How to incorporate sustainability into daily living
• Sustainable clothing/food/automobiles/transportation
• Sustainability and charities
• Sustainability and politics/history/religion/organizations
• The future of sustainability

You may have a different take on the idea of sustainability, or you may take one of the above ideas and put your own twist on it. "Sustainability" is a catchphrase that is becoming more popular in business, the media, and other commercial sectors. Constant Content has various articles about green energy and recycling, but it could use some articles about sustainability.

If you're having trouble getting inspired, check out the plans for Crystal Island, a huge construction set to be built in Moscow using sustainable design features.

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