Many years ago, about 1994, in fact, I read Linda Hall’s first novel, The Josiah Files. I loved it, but although I’ve forgotten the story by now, I will never forget the strange and unlikely—so I thought then—technology of characters carrying small handheld devices on which they could communicate and read. I wished with all my heart that I could have a device that carried books and could be accessed anywhere, anytime.
Well, what do you know? Last night I was unable to sleep, so I grabbed my iPhone, and with a few clicks, accessed a novel I couldn’t wait to finish. How the world, even my little world, has changed over the past twenty-four years.
There are varied responses to these innovations in our world:
- Some people conceive the ideas that become new technology
- Some people embrace these changes
- Some people struggle to keep up with the latest tools/programs
- Some people choose to ignore the changes
- And some refuse to accept or be involved in using technology
I’m definitely not the first type, nor the second. Nor the fifth. You’ll catch me on #4 and then grudgingly moving up to #3 most of the time. Because I really don’t want to be left behind.
In my writing life, I’ve had to accept some changes. One publisher I worked for expected his authors to learn and use social media. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Scribble, Scrabble, Bing Bong, etc. (Please don’t look up those last three.) Whatever was available, we were expected to go with it. I did my best, eventually settling on Facebook and Twitter, with LinkedIn as a more silent partner. I have to say it was good for me. Stretching is a good thing, and although I have always disliked the phrase “getting out of my comfort zone,” it was a necessary and beneficial exercise.
A couple of years ago, I decided to embrace the independent publishing scenario. It took a lot of research, observation, questioning and faith, but I jumped in and still have my head above water. I think. Just this week, I heard more about a company I’d been interested in but didn’t understand: Ingram Spark. After emailing with friends, I decided to give it a whirl for the sake of one of my oft-neglected goals: book distribution. I now have an account and we’ll see where that leads.
There will always be technological obstacles in our lives, personal and professional, and it’s our choice how we respond. But maybe, just maybe, we will be able to benefit from some new technologies or programs. My personal line: “If technology is a car, I’m hanging onto the back bumper by my fingernails. I can’t let go, because I’ll never catch up again.”
Whatever the next obstacle, I’ll deal with it…or ask for help to understand. Because times will continue to change. I hope you will also keep on learning and experimenting.
Great article. I often say, “I’m in the world, but not of the world of technology.” I try to make it serve me, and not slip into serving it. As older people struggle to learn a new language when it comes so naturally to the “young ones”, so it is with technology. But, isn’t it wonderful when we have written a book of 80,000 words and want to change every Smith to Wilson, we can do it with several clicks. How did the great writers and composers of years gone by write such masterpieces without technology? I’d love to have a discussion with them, wouldn’t you?
Oh, I so agree, Shirley. We can avoid becoming slaves to our technology, instead using it for our benefit. It is quite amazing.
Blessings to you.
I think I am #3. I love all the wonderful things we can do with technology today, but often feel out of my depth. I told my kids just today I feel like Rip Van Winkle sometimes! On the other hand, I am eagerly awaiting new tech to make voice transcription easier, improvements to health aides, and self cleaning houses.
I get the Rip Van Winkle thing, Donna! We have to keep one eye open all the time in the techno world!
If you hear of an app or computer program for a self-cleaning house, please let me know.
I appreciate what you’re saying here, Janice. Even though I haven’t had books published, freelance writing also requires use of technology, so I can relate. Like some of the rest of you, I straddle #3 and #4. Being technologically challenged, “struggle” is what I do to keep up with the technologies I think would be worth my time to learn. Even for freelance writers, writing gurus and editors talk about how one needs to get her name, being I’m a she, “out there.”
Facebook and limited LinkedIn are where my connections and potential connections hang out. Beyond social media, however, I absolutely marvel at the good aspects of a computer with a word processor as opposed to my ancient Remington or even the IBM Selectric my husband bought me about four decades ago.
Writing anecdotal comments on student report cards back in my teaching days became a breeze, relatively speaking, with each new technology. Now, I look longingly at Scrivener, but I wonder if I have the wherewithal, including stamina and brain power, to venture forth. Sigh.
Hi Sharon. Thanks for your comments. Yes, it’s a constant struggle to keep up, and we have to make choices about where to invest our time and energy.
As far as Scrivener goes, I love it, but it does take a bit of time to learn. And many writers use it much more efficiently than I do.