Ask Lex: Writers wanted and club conundrums
Alexa Rivas-Bath
Advice Columnist
Seeking a Friend For the Writing of a Biography
I am a 4th year MRU Nursing student who is in need of some advice/help. One of my patients wants a book written about his life (he already had one written about him). He has strong roots in Alberta and is 90 years old. He only wants an MRU student to write his story.
Do you how I could possibly advertise for him to get a student writer? He is not very computer savy, so I told him that I would help him out! Thanks and look forward to hearing from you soon!
Well, right here is your first piece of advertisement! Now for other ways of getting your advertisement out there you may have to get creative, or at least think of a couple different ways to get your information out there.
I would consider putting together a flyer with the necessary information, and going to the English offices. First, it is likely that you might find students there who may be interested and you can give them your flyer so they know what you’re looking for and how to contact you.
Second, go talk to some of the English professors and ask if they would be willing to give your flyers out to students in some of their classes. If you don’t like the flyer idea, then perhaps just writing down your information (cell phone, email, etc.) and asking professors to let some of their students know that you are looking for someone to write a biography.
You could also hand out pamphlets/flyers to groups of people sitting at tables in Wyckham House, Tim Hortons or any of the other various locations around campus where students gather and mingle. You can also post something on Facebook or Twitter so that your friends list will know too. Word of mouth travels quickly, and even faster through social networking. Maybe even send a mass message to all the people on your friends list who attend Mount Royal.
They may find it annoying, but you’ll be getting your ad out there! (Perhaps leaving alternate contact info for yourself will help you avoid the constant buzzing that is usually concomitant to mass messages). Make sure you tell all of your friends in your classes and maybe even ask your professor if you can make an announcement before your next class. You’ll find a writer in no time!
Club Conflict Query
I am a member of one of the on campus clubs, and as one of the members we are encouraged to share our ideas, but the President always tells me that my ideas don’t fit with what the club is striving for. I feel that as the Vice President, my ideas do fit with the clubs goals. What should I do?
First consider if you have ever had any conflicts with this person. If you have, then perhaps it is simply a matter of demonstrating and exercising their power as President. If that is the case, ask them if you can find a time to talk privately and express your concerns in as non confrontational of a way as possible.
Using words like I feel like…, I would feel better if…, When this happens it makes me feel like…, etc. Perhaps you two can find some kind of middle ground where you can learn to work together as President and Vice President, if at the very least for a more healthy club dynamic.
If conflict between you is not of concern, then maybe it is just a matter of misunderstanding or miscommunication. They may not be understanding what you mean, or perhaps may not be giving you the opportunity to explain your ideas in detail. Another thing to think of is although you may feel that you have a concrete understanding of the clubs goals, you may not, or perhaps you what you think and what the President thinks are both right in their own way.
Again, find a way to take some time to have a private conversation with him/her and go over the club goals, come up with a concrete definition, and try to come up with a better way to communicate with each other. Maybe he/she has no idea that you feel shut down by what they say. It’s also possible that they might have a reason for always shutting you down that they just haven’t had time to communicate to you; they could also be waiting for you to come to them.
There are many reasons why he/she may be shutting down your ideas, but the only way you’re going to find out is through a little bit of honest and respectful communication.
