Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Journal.

Job Hunting and Why I Hate It So
There are two things in this world, that I loathe and despise perhaps more than any other things. One of them is searching for a new place to live. Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, I won't have to deal with that again for a long long time.
By Pete Sears8 years ago in Journal
If You Want to Write, You Have to Read
So, you want to be a writer? Not everyone answers yes to this question, but the majority who do have one thing in common: They read, A LOT.
By Emery Ravenwood8 years ago in Journal
Work and Meaning
What makes us feel good about our work? Behavioral economist Dan Ariely's third TED Talk outlined a few experiments he conducted to better understand what motivates us as workers.
By Emily Grace Gill8 years ago in Journal
Etsy Traffic, 3 Stupid Simple Steps to Increase Your Traffic and Sales on Etsy!
3 Stupid Simple Steps to Increase Your Etsy Traffic and Sales! Over the last couple of years since I opened my Etsy shop, I have read hundreds if not thousands of articles about maintaining a great Etsy shop. From SEO, traffic, social media promotion, to photography skills. Never have I come across anything about these simple and quite effective three follower and traffic building steps. ANYWHERE, and I mean ANYWHERE. So grab a fresh cup of tea, coffee, Pepsi, or smoothie and prepare to have your mind BLOWN!!
By Amanda Bennett8 years ago in Journal
How to Help Your Freelance Career
Imagine not earning a single penny for a whole month, but not classing it as a ‘holiday.’ I've been ‘working’ nearly every single day over the last month but have yet to earn any money. But the definition of "working" according to the Oxford Dictionary online is this: “having paid employment.”
By Toby Roney8 years ago in Journal
The Essentials of Writing Great Fiction
Whether it's an epic full of dragons and knights or a romance full of steamy nights, creative writing is a cloud that surrounds even the smallest of places. It surrounds one in the library, or in the school. It may even surround one at home. The point is, creative writing is everywhere, and more and more people are starting to aspire to be authors.
By Brianna D8 years ago in Journal
Life as a Student Nurse
Life as a student nurse was never meant to be easy, but does it really have to be this hard? This is the question I have been asking myself for just over a year now. I began my journey as a student nurse in March 2017. I arrived fully expecting three years of hard grafting, intellectual turmoil, and an abysmal social life. From the reviews of nursing students and registered nurses combined, this was only too fair to expect. However, recently I have began to really think about my career path and this question dawned on me: why does it have to be this hard?
By Tadgh Clancy8 years ago in Journal
The Mind Can Wander...
A major issue many find when trying to write is distractions, whether it be from smartphones, television, people, or simply the environment they find themselves in. Concentration is crucial to a writer's flow. Interrupt that, and let writer's block begin!
By Emery Ravenwood8 years ago in Journal
In The Name of Art
Harriet was walking fast toward Tottenham Court Road station in an effort to waste as little time as possible travelling. Although she had not volunteered herself for this task she was getting quite excited at the prospect of meeting him in person and hadn't argued at sacrificing her lunch break for the endeavour.
By George Boundy8 years ago in Journal
The Basics of Being a Waitress
First things first, from now on don't call the people you are serving customers ... call them guests. Make your guests feel at home and welcome. I usually do this by verbally saying they are always here, but there are probably better ways. With that said - you do have the right not to serve a customer if they are harassing you, drinking too much, didn't pay last time, etc. Know the menu! For example: if all burgers come with a side of fries, ask them if they want fries or a substitute. Know some drinks! If a customer asks for a mojito, it helps to know what a mojito is, if the bartender says she doesn't know how to make it .. Bring cutlery and side plates before you bring the food. I try to bring them just after they order to make sure I don't forget .. because that can be embarrassing! Management is going to want you to up-sell, so if it's dinner offer a dessert menu and coffee at the end. With that said - don't ask them if they want anything else while they are waiting for their food. If you have trouble remembering orders, it's okay to write them down. Smile. I hate saying this because I hate being told to do it, but it helps you get better tips. Look clean! Washed hair, washed finger nails, clean clothes, etc. Makeup isn't mandatory but it can help sometimes. It can also be fun. It is best to avoid perfume, some people are allergic to it. If you think you might forget a task that you need to do in ten minutes, it's okay to write it down. Check the order before bringing it to the table. If there is a mistake don't blame the chef or anyone else. Just apologize and fix it. Never complain about a bad tip. The only time you can mention a tip is if you are saying a simple thank you. Never sit around doing nothing. 'If you have time to lean, you have time to clean.' Stay neutral in arguments about who will pay. Ask if they would like water when they order coffee or alcohol. Bring extra cutlery for specific orders. If someone is getting a steak, grab a steak knife. If someone is getting a soup, bring a spoon. If someone is getting a coffee, put a spoon on the side. Don't set dangerous objects near children. If the parents order hot soup just try to keep away from the kids a little. If you don't have an apron pocket, you can consider buying one online. Familiarize yourself with the daily specials. I hate to say this but it's best to do it before your shift even starts. If someone is getting take-out, bring it in a plastic bag with plastic cutlery and napkins. Don't let it get to you if the other waitresses are being mean to you, they could easily just be jealous you are getting better tips or they are just stressed. Know the numbers of the tables, trust me it helps. Also it looks really bad if you don't know the numbers. Choose the music with some care. Don't play a whole album of the same artist. In the morning, play softer music and in the afternoon, play more energetic music. Perform unpleasant tasks without complaining. Keep the music a little low so that guests can still talk to each other. Want more tips? Good! Introduce yourself, make eye-contact and be friendly. Befriend the regulars. Remember their names and favourite drinks. Make them feel like they are coming to visit a friend: you! Don't gossip about customers, even if you think they can't hear you. Just don't risk it. Show up to work early. This is important to any job, especially if you are new.
By Test8 years ago in Journal
Operation Good Table
Operation Good Table In my completely arrogant opinion, I think that stiffing a server is just about one of the lowest acts that a human being can commit that isn't already a crime. I put it right down there with trashing a public restroom as the hallmark of a low-class individual. It is, in my _still_ completely arrogant opinion, one of those things that point you up as lacking in social graces or indeed as lacking any knowledge or sense of the social contract as a whole. It means someone needed to slap your mama. Hard.
By Pete Sears8 years ago in Journal
Create With Simplicity
We live today in a very different world than we were just a decade ago. Technological innovation has resulted in benefits such as websites being able to be launched in under 24 hours, the ability to reach millions of people through social media and access to over 30 million songs through a single app.
By Laurie Wang8 years ago in Journal