There isn't much talk about writer's cramp any more. Writer's block is still around but the crampiness is becoming a thing of the past.
I wonder what writers, of the feather pen era, thought about when those newfangled typewriters came along? What changed for them, if they took up the new technology? What special skills were lost as the typewriter grew in popularity? Likely, there was some skill to dipping your pen into the inkwell just right, to avoid drips. There would have been skill involved in knowing when the ink on your page was dry enough to be handled.
I sometimes miss writing long hand. It's nice to feel the flow of my words smoothing over the page. Creating stylish swirls and tall towers from the alphabet is almost as much fun as making the letters into words. Pens are fun too. I've been writing with a couple of gel pens in unique colours. In the past I've experimented with various pens, Bics were my high school pen of choice. As I evolved my pen selection became whatever was on sale at the time. Still, I always preferred black ink.
My penmanship has taken a turn for the worst due to all my time on the keyboard. After a few minutes writing long hand my words become chicken scratchings, something even a doctor would struggle to decipher.
Will penmanship become a lost art? Will calligraphy just be something you do on the computer with fancy fonts? Then of course, I wonder what the next advance will bring. Will computers have their own turn at being obsolete?
You Need a PIM
Do you remember that woman you emailed about writing that article? You know, the one you met on that website the other night. Remember, she had that really cool email address, you were sure it would be easy to remember, it's on the tip of your pen... if only you had kept track of that information.
Been there? Been there a few more times than you care to admit? Me too. Let's do something about it.
Let's work on getting organized. If we do it together it won't hurt quite so much. Yes, I'm lying but just pretend you don't know that.
Start with contact management. I know you have a whole pile of papers you're itching to sort out right away, all those great ideas you intend to make into that really great and ever so useful idea folder which we discussed in a previous newsletter. But... let's work on managing your contacts today. If you can remember who you promised what to and their email address you're ahead of the game. Plus, you won't drive yourself crazy wondering what you missed among the clutter on your desk and in your brain.
I found a freeware contact manager/ address book last night. It looks good, really good. Plus it's freeware, how can you go wrong with that? (Shh, I like some illusions). You can find it at JB Enterprises. I'm including a link below with the newsletter. It will also be with my current BW column once I get that far.
Another program which seems to offer more than contact management and is geared to writers is The Literary Machine. I haven't done more than download that one. But, it sounds worth an exploration. That link will also be below.
Check around yourself for other contact management and PIM (personal information manager) software. You might get lucky and find something exceptional. I just look for the freeware, that's the kind of grrl I am.
Been there? Been there a few more times than you care to admit? Me too. Let's do something about it.
Let's work on getting organized. If we do it together it won't hurt quite so much. Yes, I'm lying but just pretend you don't know that.
Start with contact management. I know you have a whole pile of papers you're itching to sort out right away, all those great ideas you intend to make into that really great and ever so useful idea folder which we discussed in a previous newsletter. But... let's work on managing your contacts today. If you can remember who you promised what to and their email address you're ahead of the game. Plus, you won't drive yourself crazy wondering what you missed among the clutter on your desk and in your brain.
I found a freeware contact manager/ address book last night. It looks good, really good. Plus it's freeware, how can you go wrong with that? (Shh, I like some illusions). You can find it at JB Enterprises. I'm including a link below with the newsletter. It will also be with my current BW column once I get that far.
Another program which seems to offer more than contact management and is geared to writers is The Literary Machine. I haven't done more than download that one. But, it sounds worth an exploration. That link will also be below.
Check around yourself for other contact management and PIM (personal information manager) software. You might get lucky and find something exceptional. I just look for the freeware, that's the kind of grrl I am.
More Deadlines
Deadlines sound like a fisherman's term for a bad day.
How do you handle deadlines? Are you a procrastinator, like me? Sometimes I do get started early, with all the passion and enthusiasm for the topic I'm undertaking. But, I get too caught up in the research and the ideas. The actual article doesn't start taking shape until I suddenly realize the deadline is looming over me like big black clouds over a tiny fishing boat on the lake. Then, I rush and worry that I haven't done the article as well as I could have, should have. Days like those your spellchecker can be your good friend.
Undertaking is another good word. It definitely sounds like what the undertaker does and I guess it really is, just not quite the same thing when applied to a funeral parlour. Yes, I'm full of bad witticisms today.
Anyway, a writing assignment/ project/ job/ career requires undertaking and deadlines on a regular basis. Deadlines keep you from poking around, if you're like me. Undertakings get you started. Sometimes getting started is the hardest part. Any time you feel overwhelmed by the job (writing or otherwise) it's a great idea to step back and break it into bite sized pieces. That way it's manageable instead of horrifyingly huge and a massive undertaking. You can also put the least appealing things first, get them done and out of the way so you can enjoy the parts you like and have a better chance of being finished for your deadline.
Keep things simple and work on your deadlines, especially good advice to all the fishing types.
How do you handle deadlines? Are you a procrastinator, like me? Sometimes I do get started early, with all the passion and enthusiasm for the topic I'm undertaking. But, I get too caught up in the research and the ideas. The actual article doesn't start taking shape until I suddenly realize the deadline is looming over me like big black clouds over a tiny fishing boat on the lake. Then, I rush and worry that I haven't done the article as well as I could have, should have. Days like those your spellchecker can be your good friend.
Undertaking is another good word. It definitely sounds like what the undertaker does and I guess it really is, just not quite the same thing when applied to a funeral parlour. Yes, I'm full of bad witticisms today.
Anyway, a writing assignment/ project/ job/ career requires undertaking and deadlines on a regular basis. Deadlines keep you from poking around, if you're like me. Undertakings get you started. Sometimes getting started is the hardest part. Any time you feel overwhelmed by the job (writing or otherwise) it's a great idea to step back and break it into bite sized pieces. That way it's manageable instead of horrifyingly huge and a massive undertaking. You can also put the least appealing things first, get them done and out of the way so you can enjoy the parts you like and have a better chance of being finished for your deadline.
Keep things simple and work on your deadlines, especially good advice to all the fishing types.
Setting up a Home Office on the Cheap
Not everyone can decide to freelance write and then go out and buy up a storm. Likely those are very few and far between. So, for most of us we are looking for ways to cut corners without leaving out something or making ourselves feel we are second rate.
First, consider what you really need versus what it would be nice to have. You can always get those nice extras later, like when you have a first real profit to show for your efforts, buy something slightly extravagant for yourself then. Meanwhile, make a list and cross off those things you can treat yourself to later.
I think the main essential in the computer age, is a computer, printer and matching software. But, don't think you must invest thousands of dollars. Try thrift stores, ask family for copies of software and look online for freeware. Word processing software comes with new computers, likely you have a CD with MS Word or Lotus Notes. I use Lotus Notes myself.
Although we tend to back away slowly from computers and other hardware at thrift stores you should take a look, try plugging it in, booting up and seeing how it runs and what's been left in it from the last owner. Printers and scanners are especially cheap (and plentiful) at GoodWill. Thrift stores aren't likely to let you return a computer but you can test drive it before buying. Also, consider your needs, if you're just using a computer for word processing and email you can manage without a new, souped up one for gamers and hefty music/ movie downloads. Check the software bins too, you may be amazed at what you find. Make sure software is compatible with your computer and check how old it is. Some software will have free updates online but that won't help you if it's too ancient to run on your computer to begin with.
Beyond the computer situation you need basic office supplies and reference books. These are often found at thrift stores, second hand bookstores, flea markets, garage sales, library cast offs, family and friends and office supply stores going out of business, back to school sales in the Fall, etc. Beyond the standard dictionary and thesaurus look for books about writing including grammar, word usage, style guides, editing and publishing. See if you can find general reference books for fact checking and research.
You won't need a lot of pens and paper with a computer. But, consider having some kind of file system, a way to keep organized with story ideas, story submissions, publishing contacts, invoicing and whatever you use for self promotion and marketing. Find a system for keeping everything organized and work on maintaining it.
First, consider what you really need versus what it would be nice to have. You can always get those nice extras later, like when you have a first real profit to show for your efforts, buy something slightly extravagant for yourself then. Meanwhile, make a list and cross off those things you can treat yourself to later.
I think the main essential in the computer age, is a computer, printer and matching software. But, don't think you must invest thousands of dollars. Try thrift stores, ask family for copies of software and look online for freeware. Word processing software comes with new computers, likely you have a CD with MS Word or Lotus Notes. I use Lotus Notes myself.
Although we tend to back away slowly from computers and other hardware at thrift stores you should take a look, try plugging it in, booting up and seeing how it runs and what's been left in it from the last owner. Printers and scanners are especially cheap (and plentiful) at GoodWill. Thrift stores aren't likely to let you return a computer but you can test drive it before buying. Also, consider your needs, if you're just using a computer for word processing and email you can manage without a new, souped up one for gamers and hefty music/ movie downloads. Check the software bins too, you may be amazed at what you find. Make sure software is compatible with your computer and check how old it is. Some software will have free updates online but that won't help you if it's too ancient to run on your computer to begin with.
Beyond the computer situation you need basic office supplies and reference books. These are often found at thrift stores, second hand bookstores, flea markets, garage sales, library cast offs, family and friends and office supply stores going out of business, back to school sales in the Fall, etc. Beyond the standard dictionary and thesaurus look for books about writing including grammar, word usage, style guides, editing and publishing. See if you can find general reference books for fact checking and research.
You won't need a lot of pens and paper with a computer. But, consider having some kind of file system, a way to keep organized with story ideas, story submissions, publishing contacts, invoicing and whatever you use for self promotion and marketing. Find a system for keeping everything organized and work on maintaining it.
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