Rather than make resolutions this year, I have decided to embrace something that intimidates me. I’d like to say that I’m becoming braver but in reality, it is a very practical decision. Just so you know, the last time I embraced a technological advance it was in the form of an ergonomic keyboard. Stop laughing. I would rather spend all day long using a pen and yellow pad than figure out technical jargon. But that won’t get it to my editor in a form she’d be pleased about.
The truth is that I’m very serious about writing more books this year and I need some help. The outlines for these books are finished and although the spirit is willing, my back is not. I’ve spent many years and a small fortune trying to create a comfortable work space. So far, comfort has eluded me and I have the chiropractor bills to prove it.
Since I'm on the short side, office furniture has never been comfortable but it’s been a necessary evil in my life since I started writing. My friends, I think I am about to banish that evil to the nether regions of the universe. A little while ago a friend, author Lynn Michaels, tipped me off to the Dragon Naturally Speaking software. Lucky me, I hit a promo sale and got the version that responds to voice commands and after it types the book, I can go back and edit it. I think I see a future without repetitive injury requiring me to take time off from my writing.
Now I’m a bargain hunter and finding a sale pleases me to no end but not as much as the fact that thanks to the Bluetooth headset (purchased separately) that allows me to be 33 feet away from my computer—sitting in my very comfortable rocking chair (don’t laugh, my feet actually touch the floor without using a footstool) or roaming around the room while I dictate my book, my chiropractor isn’t going to be able to retire to Tahiti on what he gets from me. I love my chiropractor but I’d rather use the money to buy books!
The only downside at this moment is that I sound like a foghorn and I’m going to have to wait until my cold subsides so that I don’t have to retrain Dragon to recognize my voice. I’m excited and looking forward to 2011 with a new outlook and a plan to turn those outlines that I mentioned into books.
What about you? Have you discovered a new website, software or a tip to make writing easier or more fun? Leave me a comment and you could win a download of my newest EC release, CROSS MY HEART.
Paris
http://parisbrandon.com
You can find Dragon here: http://www.nuance.com/talk/
Cross My Heart-EC
Head Over Heels-EC
Assassin’s Kiss-EC
No Holds Barred-EC
IOU-Resplendence Publishing
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