I had an in-depth conversation with local board game designer Brian Spence about the ins and outs of inventing and selling your ideas to manufacturers. His advice is valuable to budding inventors who might just have the next big idea, yet are clueless about how to break into the business. He doesn't sugarcoat the path of the inventor - the vast majority of people's inventions will never see the store shelves. However, his success story teaches lessons on remaining persistent, using discretion, and staying in the game.

Link to my article in Concentrate to find out what Brian Spence thinks about inventing.

Photo Credit: Dave Lewinski, Managing Photographer for Concentrate

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is it this blog? is it making it easier for the common man to navigate the more subtle inner-lacings of the interweb? do you even know what I'm talking about?

Today, I'm pondering the usefulness of today's web and communication technologies. How much do I use myspace or gaze upon my facebook? Do I have time for twittering? Where did I leave my iPod? Which of my assortment of accounts, phones, or e-gadgets would I turn to in the case of a natural disaster? I'm asking myself these questions in preparation for a new assignment.

I have a confession. I decided to write a blog today because I plan to send out a mass email announcement in the next few days. This website is newly updated and I'm about to inform the masses. E-technologies seem to be reaching the end of their adolescence. According to current jargon, tech is turning 20. So, what's the best way to communicate at the tail end of the double O's? What works and what is a pure waste of time? 

Any thoughts? The "comments" feature of this blog is enabled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aside from minor renovations, like enabling "comments" on my blog and sprucing up the homepage, the new jenthewriter.info has updated content and more on the way. Most of what you will find on the new site gets right down to business, but there are a few manholes I am beginning to post for leisurely web surfers.

Think about grabbing my RSS feed (indicated by the XML link at very the bottom of this page). I will let you know how developing the new site in going through this blog. 

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The Michigan Municipal League's new The Review magazine is out to subscribing members. You can read the whole thing online by following these links to two articles I contributed.

Cover story, including an interview with Mayor Karen Majewski, who takes a look at cultural diversity in Hamtramck, Michigan

Additional feature article honoring the efforts of AuGres, Michigan, a finalist in the League's annual "Community Excellence Awards."

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Two upcoming articles in The Review will explore the spirit of Ferndale, Michigan's downtown; and discover the charm of Saugatuck - Douglas, which is well-known as "Michigan's Art Coast." Forthcoming Summer 2009. 

In the meantime, do you recognize the storefront in this picture? I've already given you enough hints.

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...is happening.

I wrote several lengthy blog articles on my previous website. If you would like to read about art, entertainment, and living in Ann Arbor, Michigan, 

follow this link deep into the jenthewriter blog archives.

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