March of Progress

TAYLOR’S TIPS for a more productive you…

Dear Friend,

Do you remember these?

How about these?

And then these?

I remember black and white television (now that’s old). Remember when it went off the air at night and you heard that high-pitched buzzing noise? And I remember getting up to change the channel when Dad commanded, “You’re younger than me.”

I remember the first space launch and the picture of the first man on the moon. I remember when a personal computer was something only the very rich could afford. I remember when telephones had dials on them and were always plugged into the wall (you were tethered — no cordless phones sitting in the cradle of a charger). And I remember the first cell phones (large, ugly contraptions) and they were called mobile phones back then.

Going back to the music era mentioned above — do you have one of these?

I received a pretty pink iPod Shuffle for Christmas. Haven’t loaded it up yet, but when I do it’ll be better than the Sony Walkman I clip on my belt and the headphones with the foam ear pads that I loop over the top of my head.

Is it hard to teach an old dog new tricks? A dog trainer I know claims it takes a dog up to 45 seconds to process a command and perform it. So it took me a while, but I’m coming around.

Here’s the cool thing I’m proud of: I’ve gone Digital–converted my writers group book to an ebook which is now available on Kindle and Nook. Holey moley! You can get it instantly! I’ve downloaded other writing-related books directly to my Kindle and can read them right away. I love that. But I also love the feel of a printed, bound book in my hands where I can open the pages, crack the spine, inhale the smell (call me weird, I know), and write in the margins.

I’ll always have one foot on the side of printed books, but my other foot is on the side of progress. Time marches on, and if we don’t march with it, we’ll be left behind.

Are you joining the band?

Happy writing and blessings on your work. 

What’s Happening…

Just in case you want to check it out, here are the links:

 

Kindle Edition  – Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/qDh28y

Nook Edition – B & N Link: http://bit.ly/qZTHIX

Print book through Amazon: http://amzn.to/n3wS5D

 

Put these on your calendar:

 

Southern California Writers’ Conference –  What’s going on in September? For me, it’s two workshops, author meetings, read and critiques — that’s what’s on my schedule at the Ninth Annual Southern California Writers’ Conference *LA (at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach), Sept. 23-25, 2011. Founded and run by working writers, the SCWC has facilitated nearly $4 million worth of first-time authors’ book and screen deals. With extended one-on-one evaluation of advance submissions and dozens of read & critique and Q&A workshops, this event is purposely tailored to empower writers to sell their work.  CHECK THIS OUT: The conference director is offering you a $50 discount off the full conference.  ONLY GOOD THROUGH AUG. 15 SO ACT NOW.  Just enter the coupon code: SDWINK.  www.WritersConference.com

 

Christian Writers Guild of Santa Barbara – Saturday, October 1st in the beautiful area of Santa Barbara, California, this wonderful conference brought to you by Opal Mae Dailey will be held at the gorgeous Westmont College. It promises to be a wonderful learning environment with great speakers. Stay tuned for more information.