A recent news article said that more than one million people in Florida need a job, but many positions are not being filled because applicants don’t have the proper skills. Employers want enthusiastic people who have a broad knowledge base along with cutting edge skills. Technology keeps changing. Applicants need to keep up with the times to be competitive.
How does this apply to the writer? Most communications today take place via email between editors, agents, and authors. We’re expected to format our manuscripts according to publisher guidelines and know how to follow track changes in Microsoft Word. We’re asked by publishers if we have a webpage, blog, Facebook fan page, and Twitter. It’s great that we can save money by not having to copy and mail manuscripts anymore, but do we save time? Not when we have to keep up with the rapidly changing technology.
A writer can’t get by without these skills nowadays. Never mind that all an author wants to do is write the next book. Too much involvement in these business activities can lead to burnout. One doesn’t get tired of writing the story. One gets tired of the racing train that keeps going in circles, round and round the promotional track. The pressure to stay on top can build to a momentum that forces our creativity to derail. This wasn’t the train we wanted when we got on board, but we’re stuck with it now.
I’m about to get my first eReader device. After much consideration, I’ve decided to get a Kindle. Now I read that the next generation may have E-Ink Color, as opposed to LCD color. As for touch screens, there’s two different types and one is supposed to be better than the other. Dedicated eReader, Tablet, or Smart Phone? Eventually all of these devices may be rolled into one of ideal size and technology to perform multiple functions with clarity and readability under all lighting conditions. But until then, we have to choose which device will serve the purposes we need. We have too many choices, when we should be focusing on word choice instead.
I like the Kindle because it comes closest to giving the experience of reading an actual book. One of the causes of burnout, I think, is the fact that we’re constantly bombarded with online ads, email, messages, and other web-based distractions. This morning I logged on to my laptop and ads kept popping up and taking over the screen, so much so that I shut the darned thing off (until now). You can read a book on the Kindle and be blessedly free of the distractions.
You can turn off pop-ups so you don’t have that problem. I can’t read a book on the computer or laptop–too uncomfortable when I’m sitting at the desk all day as it is.
Too many causes.
Not enough reflective pauses.
-Original poem by James Scott Bell
As a certified work-a-holic, job jumper, techno-geek who is easily distracted by shining things I can say all this modern day stuff is really distracting
I wish life were simpler. Preferably back to the days of no electricity, or at least no internet or TV. Not that I am willing to do away with those things now, just that I wish they had never been…so I wouldn’t be so addicted.
That being said, I need to get a Kindle since my books are all out there as ebooks I am limited to reading them on my Android phone or laptop or PC.