So you want to be part of the team?

Not an issue. Not only do we want you on the team, IT IS ENCOURAGED! Come on, Alethea is all over the forums-and she is NOT a one woman show for the Force Realist's Community. So don't make her or Talon out to be. ::winks::This magazine is for you, and you SHOULD be a part of it. Can you write? Or are you better at graphic design?

Who Can Participate?

Although the target audience is the Force Realist's Community, ANYONE (Force Realists, Non-Force Realists) that wants to contribute to this magazine has a shot. The more articles we get, the better. We can keep them on a system to use in the future if no one writes in with an article. So if your article does not make it in for the month you sent it in, we can guarantee to you that it will not get placed in a disregarded file. Unfortunately, there is no monetary value in writing to this magazine. In time, it is our hope to pay journalists for their work. However, for now, there are some legal issues that need to work regarding a bank account for this. Due to one of us being in the military, we are sort of in a predicament :/.

If your article makes it for a particular issue, we will send you an e-mail letting you know it will be posted. So if it takes some time for your article to be published, please keep us up to date on what your e-mail address is if you change it.

Graphic Design

Every month, we plan on having a new border. One that relates to the season or holiday of the month. We recognize that we are not the best at creating banners. That being said, if you have the talent and would like to give it a shot, we will pick out the best banner sent in to "Force Realists". So every month you will have your shot. If there are a number of them sent in, we will even post up the three runner-ups on another page for everyone to see. If we do not get one in, then you will have to deal with our makeshift attempts at creating a cool looking banner. The deadline is the 10th of every month.

This month's banner was provided by Nathan and Alethea Thompson.

Next Month's theme: Holiday Season

Break down of the Articles

All articles must be turned in by the 15th of every month. 

Holiday
Almost every month has a holiday.  And almost every holiday has a history.  Whether you are talking about a pagan Sabbat that is of the month, or a major holiday celebrated across the planet, we would like to hear about it's history in whatever religion you hold to.  No one is here to bash what you believe.  It is our belief, here at Force Realists, that cultural awareness through understanding and knowledge is key to understanding those around us.

Next Issue: Christmas, Yule, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah

World Events
This could just cover the news; try to cover issues that our national news don't cover as much. Darfur is one issue that they don't cover that is a world issue, but the US News doesn't cover it because don't have a big interest there. This section could also include ways for Jedi to get involved in a global sense, through donating money or time.

Health and Fitness
This piece ranges from everything dealing with fitness, general health and alternative healing methods (i.e. herbalism, acupuncture, etc). With regards to Herbalism and Health we have one rule:

"Force Realists" will not publish articles that promote, or allude to the promotion, of illegal drugs in the United States of America. WE WILL however, take any article which talks of the negative effects of drugs.

Reviews
There is a ton of things that are pertinent to being a Jedi. Don't just include books or movies, but extend to equipment and other things that Jedi may use. Many Jedi are martial artists so performing a review of a certain weapon or tool as well as books, movies, training videos and etc. This section is also a good opportunity for Jedi who are working towards making their projects a reality to talk about their projects. Such as, blogtalkradio's Knights of Awakening or the gatherings done by Jedi Resource Center.

Ecology
Talks about things such as global warming and endangered species awareness, etc. Ecology is also open for talking about things like gardening or a trip where you experienced nature. If you have a passion for talking about a specific animal and want to do a sort of documentary on it, this is your chance. All animals can teach us something through their life.


Biographies (Go En)
Focus on a particular Jedi or a Jedi Order for a month and talk about what sets them apart from other Jedi. Allow the magazine to be used by the community to get to know the community better in not only an oblique way because it'll be the community talking about things that interest the community, but also be direct and talk specifically about the community. This section can also be used to simply talk about someone that you have met in your life and something you have gained from meeting them.

Energy Work
Most Force users believe in "the Force" and there are plenty of different practices and methods that can be described to have a column dedicated to pure energy. From meditation to astral projection - this is a 'how to' section. Teach people how to get in better tune with the force.

Soul Soup
Talk about issues of the soul; this deals with all things spiritual, from morality and ethics to justice, inner peace and help a person become a better person.

Martial Arts
This can be everything from Martial Arts theory, history, lessons of Martial Arts, to styles. It is important to know that we DO NOT teach movements. We acknowledge that there are books that do this, but martial arts is not something that needs to be taught to someone through reading or even video, in my opinion. If you are advanced enough to understand the lingo in books and have the proper training to know how to properly apply the knowledge, then you can use a book. If not, we are strong believers in using a physical Martial Arts instructor to learn.

Skills (Personal & Community)
This covers articles in things like decision making, leadership, conflict resolution, communication and other skills that are useful to the community.

Meet the Aspects
We would LIKE to have an article every month for each aspect which either teaches morals/ethics/beliefs of the aspect, or even why a description of why you are on your particular path, or how you view your path.  When you write us regarding this, let us know what path you are on so we can ensure it is not misrepresented.

Herb of the Month
History, mythology, where it can be found, medicinal uses and how to recognize any herb of your picking.  If you want to include a recipe with it, Alethea always did think it would be fun to get together a cook book.  Perhaps with enough, we can add a section for it in time.