Tag Archives: Creative writing

Echo smat pen, Gadget, Writing

A Writer’s Friend:Echo smart pen

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This is my new best friend. It’s the Echo smart pen. Thanks to the literary grant I won last November, I was able to purchase this marvel and the accessories that go with it.

Let me give you a short history of my writings. I write all my books and short stories by hand. I am more creative this way then sitting in front of my computer. The times I have tried to do it via computer from the get go proved futile with nothing being written. As someone who has fibromyalgia where repetitive motion or action activates a fibro attack, this can wreak havoc on one’s body and one’s writings. I was introduced to the Dragon program. This little nifty item allows one to speak into a microphone as the computer types out what you are saying.

AWESOME!

Well it would be awesome if it worked for me. Getting the program, I was so excited to give it a try to save my arms, shoulders and neck from the pain. It didn’t work. Either I spoke to fast or my accent was getting in the way. It didn’t help that my husband and son gave it a whirl and they had no problem being understood. Lovely.

It was not until recent that I came across smart pens as I prepped the proposal and proper forms as I applied for a literary grant in 2013. According to the reviews and information gathered online this was the way to go for me. For you see in theory you would use the pen to write your stories, notes or what have you on paper designed for this pen. The software program that one uses for the pen would translate it into text for you. Which would eliminate me having to type up my stories. It also had a recording function to where you could speak into the microphone and again the software would translate it into text. I was weary of this but used some of the grant money to purchase the pen.

Trying it out for the first time this week, I’m happy to report it works amazingly well. In fact it works better than the Dragon program. It understood every word I wrote or spoke and translate it with ease.

AWESOME!

This is a wonderful piece of equipment that will save me time and pain as I translate my manuscripts into text. If you are in the same situation that I was you might want to check this out. My new best friend is named Jake and may he and I have lots and lots of fun together.

Author, Interview, Writing

Interviews

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I been fortunate to have been interviewed a few times online. At first it was scary for I wanted to get it just right and showcase myself decently. Now it is getting just fun to do. Especially when the interviewer gives me questions that I need to step back and think on. I love those times. One thing I make sure I don’t forget is to send it to my editor. I want it as polished as possible. The lovely interviewer created the picture above for the occasion for the interview I just did. It’s at http://achapterintime.webs.com/face-to-face. 

Every bit helps, regardless of the size of the site that is doing the interview. I had one person apologize for that. They were told there was no need. If I just reach a new person then it is worth it. You never know what that one person can lead to.

I have two on my plate, two set of questions that need my attention that I will be working on soon. A few more places for my book to shine. So I say thanks to the people who have asked me. Jasper and I get to fly and soar with each question that is asked. We thank you and we thank you.

2013, Author

2013: My Writing Journey

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The year 2013 will soon be behind us. It’s time to reflect on how it treated us and to gather new hopes and dreams for 2014. I was fortunate as an author, 2013 was my best year since I started this venture.

March– My book, “Jasper, Amazon Parrot: A Rainforest Adventure” was picked up by a publisher.

April– Attended a conference in Wadesboro which left me with contacts.

May– I released my short story, “Root Canal” which was my first attempt at self publishing.

September– My book was released on the market.

November– Volunteered at a writer’s conference in town. The first of its kind.

November– I received my first royalty check as an author.

November– I completed NaNoWriMo successfully for the third straight year

November– I was one of seven people in my county to win a literary grant from the local arts council.

December– The Wonder Chicks, a writing group I formed, released the anthology, “Dragons In The

Attic” which was amazing.

December– My book, “Jasper, Amazon Parrot: A Rainforest Adventure was featured with local artists at a small theater in town. The new project for them.

My Jasper has been sold in Denmark, England, Scotland and the US. The reviews have made me feel I did good when it comes to this book. I’m not sure how I can improve on this. What I do now is I won’t be slowing down. My projects for 2014 that I know of are:

-Edit and revise the sequel to my Jasper series

-Edit and revise my NaNoWriMo book that won in 2011

-Start writing volume three to my Jasper series

-Release my true story, “Squirrel Mafia” in Feb/March

-………………(Always have writing projects)

I will be attending a conference in February and April if all goes according to plans and possibly one in November if funding comes through. I’m not sure about NaNoWriMo for I have three books that have won and are all waiting impatiently for me to edit them for submission. I will see as November comes closer.

It has been a hectic year between health issues, family, and life in general. But it has been amazing when I think of how far I have come and how fortunate I have been. Oddly it took all of this for me to say to myself. “You’re an author.” And for me to actually believe it.