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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
How To Get Involved With Your Passions Printable Version PRINTABLE VERSION
by Tiara, Australia Jul 22, 2007
Media , Culture , Education   Opinions

  


If ink and paper is more of your thing, consider making a zine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zine). Zines are independent self-published magazines - not typically glossy or professionally made like their commercial counterparts (though some can be), but often very earnest in its passion. Zines can be about anything, and can look and feel like anything you wish. Zines don’t typically make money, and can be a losing venture (especially if you’re not based in North America and need to cope with exchange rates and postage); however, it is a good experience to make, publish, and distribute zines. The Book of Zines (http://www.zinebook.com/) and ZineWiki (http://zinewiki.com/index.php?title=Main_Page) have plenty of resources on zine-making, while ZineStreet (http://www.zinestreet.com/) has links to distros and stores to buy and sell zines. If you want to expand your publishing horizons, consider independent publishing (http://nomediakings.org/YouShouldMain.htm) - making your own book. Who knows - your book may be picked up by a mainstream publisher and reach a wider audience!

Use the media to your full benefit. One of the easiest ways to get published in the newspaper is to write a Letter to the Editor, usually about a current issue that concerns you, or a response to a news article. Letters to the Editor often generate good discussion and can include responses from people directly affecting the issue, such as government ministers or corporation executives. If you write often enough, you can develop a positive reputation as a prolific letter-writer. Many papers and magazines also accept contributions; contact the editors and ask. Some cities have community radio and television stations that accept programming from the public, or highlight local ventures and events. Often different media places will scout for people to interview for various topics - if the topic suits you, volunteer yourself! It’s a great way to get noticed, and it is fun to see yourself quoted in a news article. You may even get picked up for further articles, or be contacted by other interested people - even if just to say hi.

If there are reputable awards and competitions that you are eligible for, go and apply! Get your friends to nominate you if necessary - to be less sketchy, go for the friends that would have nominated you for the award anyway (the ones that often say “oh you should have won that!!”). It is common in Asian cultures to not want to promote yourself for fear of being seen as arrogant or a braggart; however, this also means that plenty of talented and capable people are not getting the recognition they deserve. Put aside the embarrassment and go for it; eventually the award organizers have the final say, but there’s no harm (and potential boon) in putting your name in.

IF IT'S REAL, GO FOR IT - OR START IT

If, through your leads and contacts and personal publicity, you come across any opportunity that sounds interesting to you, investigate it - and if you can, and it feels good, do it.

A lot of opportunities available are reputable, so there shouldn’t be much harm in signing up. However, scams do exist, so it is important to do your research beforehand. If your opportunity is linked to or referred to by other reputable organizations, such as the UN or universities, or it has neutral/generally positive reports in the news, you should be fine. That doesn’t mean that obscure opportunities are naturally suspect, though.

Sometimes it is easier to spot the scams, as there would be either quite a number of references to its scamminess, or a noticeable lack of independent information (such as an international event without any press coverage). There are negative reports (founded or unfounded) about legitimate organizations too, for various reasons, so don’t let the presence of one such report scare you - but do take their claims into consideration, as they may bring up relevant concerns.

Researching legitimacy becomes more important when money is involved. Some people think high price = scam; this isn’t necessarily true, as the operating costs may be high. Some things that advertise themselves as “free” or “cheap” may actually incur hidden costs. The key is to see if the price is justified - are you really getting your money’s worth? What do you need to pay for that isn’t already provided for or covered by the initial fee? Also check on whether you are able to pay in instalments (if necessary) and what the procedures are for getting your money back. Legitimate places would generally be friendly and open to answering your money questions without too much of a fuss.

If the opportunity checks out, and your instinct isn’t overly worried, then just sign up! Even if you’re just barely eligible, or you missed the application date by one day: if you’re still technically able to sign up or take part, do it. People are more flexible than you think. I’ve managed to get myself in various opportunities despite being one or two days late, and I’ve been part of a English Literature workshop where I was one year younger than everyone else. If you have any doubt at all, contact the organizers and ask. At the very worst, they’d say “sorry, no”. A lot of times they may even give you resources and ideas on other ways to get involved, or other opportunities that are just as relevant and interesting.







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meddahi | Aug 15th, 2007
[x] بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم والصلاة والسلام على إمام المرسلين وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين..أما بعـد إنـني غاضب جــدا جــدا لأن هذه المعوقات التي تريد أن توقف مسيرتي الأدبية من شدة الفـقـر والحرمان اللذان أعيش فيهما إنهما ليعيقان مسيرة الشعرية التي ستفيد الإنسانية جمعاء بإنشاءاته الإبداعية المتشعبة الأطراف... بـيـنما أنا أنــقـح قصيدة جديدة وأنتم بحكم ثقافتكم تعلمون أن العالم أو الأديب أو الشاعر يحتاج إلى الهدوء والراحة الجسمية والمعنوية وحتى الظروف المالية .. لكي يستطيع أن ينتج أدبا رفيعا يفــيـد الإنسانية جمعاء بإنشاءاته الإبداعية المتشعبة الأطراف... إذا بأمي المكرمة تعنفـني تعنيفا كبيرا لم تحتمله نفسي وأنتم تعلمون نفسية الشاعر الحساسة إلى أقصى حدودها المترامية ............... فقلت لها إنني أعمل من خلال قصيدتي التي أتمم أجزاءها بردار خيالي من أمكنة بعيدة لا يدرك كنهها إلا من أتاهم الله تعالى يصيرة شفافة وإنه عملٌ فكريٌّ لا يستطيعه إلا أولي الأحلام و النهى ولا يفهمه إلا ذوي الألباب الناضجة فهذا العمل ليس ككل الأعمال اليدوية البسيطة التي يستطيعها أي إنسان بعد خبرة قليلة فقالت لي بكل سخرية واستهجان إنك تهــذي.. إن هـذا الأدب الي أنت تُزاوله لا يجني عليك من المال شيئا ولا من جاها......... بل أنت تضيع وقتك هباء منثورا بينما أبوك يعمل ليصرف عليك فقلت لها يا أماه يا أماه يجب أن تفهمي مرادي البعيد وسيأتي اليوم الذي ستفهمين فيه قصديَ النبيل أنــــت لا تدركــين بُعـد عـملي الفكري هذا ولا غيرك من الناس الذين لا يؤمنون إلا بالمادة التي هم يتنعمون بها دون أن يُــؤدوا شكرها اللازم لأن المولى عز وجل قد سخرها لهم في هذه الحياة الدنيا الفانية فإن هذا الأدب الذي أنا أضحي ليلا ونهارا من أجله قد حباني الله تعالى به دون أن أدرس في كبريات الجامعات لله الحمد والمنة ………………. إنه عمل جليل يشرفك ويشرف أبي الذي هو يرعى هذه الموهبة الـفــذة و يشرف وطــني العزيز و الأمة الإسلامية جميعا فقالت إن الله تعالى لا ينزل عليك من السماء كنزا إذا لم تعمل في الأعمال اليدوية ستصاب بالفقر الذي سيدفعك إلى التسول يوما من الأيام ........... نعم إن أمي تبني أحكامها على الأوضاع الجارية في الأمة العربية والإسلامية ................. وتلك الأحكام منطقية إلى أبعد الحدود ..... فكم من الأدباء تشردوا وكم من الأدباء أصابهم اليأس والقــنوط من جراء التخلف والتشرذم الذي يجري حولهم ولكن تلك العهود قد مضت ولله الحمد ونحن نرى بشائر الرقي والازدهار بادية لكل من كان له قلب أو ألـقى الســمع وهــو شهـيـد ....... ولكن لا نلوم بعض الناس لأن عقولهم لا تدرك الإرهاصات المستقبلية ببعض العوامل التي تراها في الحاضر ........... وما أضيق الحياة لولا فُسحة الأمل ... ..آلمتـني كلماتها القاسية التي نزلت على قلبي كالصاعقة المحرقة التي تحرق من القلب الرهيف كل آماله وأحلامه التي كان يحلم بها طوال السنين القاسية وأضافت إلى أسماعي كلمات أخرى بكل برودة وقالت إن هؤلاء الذين يذيعون قصائدك لمَ لم يساعدوك حتى الآن لكي تكمل مسيرتك الأدبية التي تدعيها فقلت لها يا أمي كل شيء في أوانه ينضج إنني أتألم إن وجداني ينفجر من شدة الغضب لماذا أولئك الذين لا يملكون من الكفاءات إلا الشيء القليل نراهم يكرمون ويبجلون أمام أعيننا أما نحن الشعراء نعيش وسط الحرمان والفقر المدقع لماذا لماذا وألف لماذا إنني أستنكر هذا الإهمال هذه الشريحة التي تمهد لمستقبل زاهر تتنعم فيه البشرية بالأمن والسلام والمحبة الصادقة .......... لماذا هذه اللامبــلات التي طال زمانها ..أنظروا إلى الغرب كيف تقدم لأنهم يقدرون المواهب الإبداعية في أي مجال كان، لكي يُثروا مجتمعاتهم بالأشياء النافعة التي تعود على المجتمع بالخير والرفاهية الكبيرين لماذا نهين العقول الناضجة ونكرم العقول البائسة التي لا تنتج إلا بعض التفاهات التي لا تُسمن ولا تغني من جوع ..إنني أتألم وإن وجداني ليبكي من شدة هذه الإهانات المتعددة التي تنهال علي من حين لآخر كأمثال الحجارة الصماء التي لا تسمع ولا تــنـفع ..لماذا لا تنشؤون صندوقا خاصا بالمبدعين الذين يثبتون للساحة الأدبية أنهم قادرون على الإبداع و الإختراع والإنتاج سواء الإنتاج الفكر أو اليدوي المتوفر في كل مكان عكس الإنتاج الفكري النادر لأنه يعتمد على الموهبة المُعطاة التي تغــــــــوص في بحر التجارب لتكتسب المعرفة العميقة تلك المواهب التي تكتسب بعد سنوات من الجهد المضني المرير شخصـــــــــــية قــــــــوية لا تقـتـلعها حتى أعـتا الأعاصير المدمرة هذه الشخصية التي تحقق أهدافها بإذن ربها العلي العظيم لأن أهدافها سامية ونبيلة لا ينكرها أحد من الناس العقـلاء إنها تؤثرة في المجتمعات تأثيرا إيجابيا لأنها تعي ما تقول وما تفعل لا تندفع وراء الحماسة الزائدة التي تسبب آلاما للأمة العربية والإسلامية تزيد من أزماتها المعـددة التي هي بغنى عنها وخصوصا في هذه الظروف المحزنة التي تمر عليها الإنسانية جمعاء ... ولكن الخير آت آت آت إن شاء الله تعالى فلها من الحكمة الواعية التي تضع كل شيء في محله الذي يليق به.. إن هذا العصر الذي نوجد فيه لقد انبثقت فيه معظم العبقريات الكبيرة التي أثبتت وجودها بكل فاعلية ولكنها لا تلقى الرعاية الكاملة التي تحتفظ بهذه العقول التي تنفع البشرية جميعا ....؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟؟............؟ من أخوكم المعذب في الأرض الشاعر العصامي مداحي العيد من الجزائر الحبيبة إلى قلوبنا جميعا meddahi | Aug 15th, 2007 [x] MERCIFUL peace and prayers be on the senders and the machine owners and all .. After I am very, very angry because these constraints that want to stop my life literary The severity of poverty and deprivation in which they lived, which hinders the march of poetry that will benefit all mankind Banchaeath creative branched parties ... While I revise a new poem and you know that the ex Thagawickam world or writer or poet needs to be calm and relaxed physical, moral and even financial circumstances .. In order to be able to produce literature High benefit humanity Banchaeath creative branched parties ... If Pamy Mecca Tanfani Taneva not significantly unbearable myself and you know psychological poet sensitive to the limits vast ............... I told them that I am working through Gosaidti which Transact Brdar imaginary parts of the places far not only aware of essences Wrath of God Isaireh transparent He also worked for reconsideration first goal only dreams and Prevention nor understood only with mature minds. It is not a whole handicraft simple can in any human being yet little experience Li said both ironic and deploring you Theve .. This literature to you do you practice you do not reap money from nothing prestige ......... But you wasted your time squander your father worked for a while you spend I told them you Amah Amah you must run, I understand Moradi day will come when my noble Stphmin You Do you not yet practical intellectual in this crowd of people who believe not only that article are Itnamon without thanks to perform necessary because God Almighty has marshalled them in this mortal life This literature which I became a day and night in which he addressed to me may God by without studying in the major universities thankfully, the best ... ... ... ... ... .... That work Jalil Echervk oversees Abe who is a sponsor of this inimitable talent and oversees national Aziz and the Islamic Ummah all She said that God does not descend from the sky, you treasure if they do not operate in manual jobs will be hit by poverty, which will push you to begging Days ........... Yes, that my mother built its case on the current situation in the Arab and Islamic nation ................. Those provisions logical extremely ..... How many literary displaced How many writers and despair suffered as a result of underdevelopment and the fragmentation that was happening around them But those times have passed, thankfully, we see positive signs of progress and prosperity displaying each have a heart or hearing a martyr ....... But do not blame some people do not realize that their minds precursors future Some of the factors that you see in the present ........... The narrower life in the expanse of hope ... .. Matni her harsh blow to my heart thunderbolt Holocaust that burns the heart of every Alerhev hopes and dreams, which he had dreamed for years of harsh Her ears to the words of another All cooling She said that those who advertise Kassaedk It did not help you until now to complement it gives moral course I told them my mother everything in premature ripens I am hurt that emotional burst of intense anger Why Those who do not have the skills, very little We see them honored and have revered Before our eyes As poets we live amid deprivation and extreme poverty Why, why and why A. I deplore this neglect of this tranche, which will pave the way for a bright future Ttnam human security and peace and love and sincere .......... Why this Allamblatt long time .. Look at how the West provided they appreciate the creative talent in any field was so enriched their objects beneficial to society and the well-being of the great minds mature Why humiliate honoring minds miserable not only produce some platitudes that do not protect fatten or hunger .. I am hurt and emotional cry of the severity of these multiple insults heaped upon from time to time Like unto stones dumb not hear no avail .. Why not Tencion special fund creators who prove to the literary arena they are capable of creativity and invention Both production and production of thought or manual Available everywhere in reverse intellectual production rare because it depends on the talent given by Sank in the Sea of tests to gain deep knowledge of those talents acquired after years of painstaking effort bitter strong personal Tuguetlaha not even Atta devastating hurricanes These personal permission achieve its objectives because the Lord Almighty objectives and lofty undeniably one of the people Sensible It preferences positive impact in the communities because they understand what it says and do not go beyond the euphoria which cause suffering to the Arab and Islamic nation further crises that are listed unnecessary, especially In these sad circumstances with the whole of humanity ... But goodness AT AT tires that, God willing, It may be prudent to develop conscious everything in place that it deserves .. That era find it has emerged how ingenious the most significant proved themselves both effective, but do not receive full care they retain minds that benefit all humankind ....???????????????? ?............? Your brother of the martyred poet in the land of self-reliant Mdahi feast Algeria beloved to all our hearts بلغ عن هذا المقال أو التعليقات عليه لTakingITGlobal علىeditorial@takingitglobal.org. يرجى ادراج الموقع أو العنوان بالتحديد للمقال الذي تقرأه والسبب وراء تبليغك عنه. اصنع العلاقات | تحرك | تصفح المصادر | عبر عن نفسك | تفهم القضايا | اكتشف



?!
AhMaD Abed Elmonem Elhaw | Aug 25th, 2007
Did you know you can use your education and experience to benefit SFU and its Alumni Association? Fill in our Where's Your Passion for SFU form and let us know about the skills and talents that you have to offer. We can then contact you when an opportunity arises. As an active and committed volunteer organization, the SFU Alumni Association conveys alumni interests and concerns to the university. Through the talent and perspective of our alumni from across Canada and around the world, we act as ambassadors on behalf of the university. We also partner with the university to offer programs that will ensure the sustainability of the Association and enable it to continue its good work. We promise you a volunteer experience that is challenging, enjoyable and rewarding.For more information please contact



Very educative..
Osamuyi Okpame | Oct 26th, 2007
I find the tips and suggestions you provided very useful. Thanks



My Passion is for networking
Larry Ron Kali | Nov 18th, 2007
Hello Tiara, I love this article, thank you for writing it. You offer some really good ideas for building up my resources for passionate net-workers. What was your motivation for writing this piece? Just curious. Larry



Y-Nhi Mai | Aug 17th, 2008
thank you for this post!

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