I’m part of a
generation who had to actually wait at home by the phone if I was expecting a
call. Worse than that, if I sent a query to an agent, I had to wait weeks, even
months, for a response by snail-mail. What torture. If I had been a nail biter
back then, I’d have worked my way to my knuckles in not time.
I love that today
I can sit at my computer in South Carolina and see my grandchildren in
California via Skype. Now that’s priceless. I can sit in my car, on my front porch, or at
the park and read a book on my iPhone, check up on sales of my latest novel,
post a blog, check in with my friends on Facebook and Twitter, or write and
send an email.
So, what
about you? Are you taking advantage of this technology to benefit your writing
career? If not, here are a few way you can start.
First,
keep up with updating any files and programs you have. Set your computer for automatic
updates and you won’t miss any. When you plug in your iPhone to charge, connect
with iTunes and check for updates. I know the ‘app store’ will alert you of any
updates, but make sure your entire phone is up to date. These updates not only help
to speed up your computer and hand-held devices, they also keep all of your
apps up to date and add any new time saving features.
Second,
check your pages often.
We have this technology, so let’s use it. If you have a website or blog, check
for feedback and comments then respond immediately. A quick response makes the
reader feel his/her comment was as important to you as it was to them. That is
how you acquire loyal followers.
Third, take
advantage of the perks. We
have so many social networking sites (next week’s blog) that keep you connected
to family, friends, readers and followers. Get on those sites and connect with
the world. For example: if you are looking for a publisher, type ‘book publishers’
in the search box and be astonished at the number of results you’ll have to
choose from.
Thank God for
those wonderful ingenious people who invented modern technology. I love it!
Today, we can connect with anyone, anywhere, and at any time. I not only find
this new technology helpful and convenient, but also absolutely necessary. I,
for one, would be lost without it.
What is your
take on the latest technology? Have I missed anything? If so, I’d love for you
to let me and all my readers know.
