Friday, April 19, 2013

Day 19: Read1K Write1K Challenge Swings On


Just Cause you Finished 18 Holes 
Doesn't Mean the Game is Over
Keep Playing On Day 19

 "Never throw up on an editor."--Ellen Datlow
**As an editor, I have a particular fondness for this quote.**

***UPDATED***

 What I'm writing?

Book: The Cable
Starting Point: Page 101
Today's total word count: 1539

What I'm reading?

Book:  Hot Wheels and High Heels by Jane Graves
Starting Point: Chapter Four
2 Chapters Completed: Yes
Today's Book Note: Darcy tries to figure out how she will live as anything but a trophy wife.

Kerri's Progress Notes:

I will now blame my small word count and lack of reading time to the "Great Computer Saga 2013" that I experienced yesterday.  I tried to go into Windows 8 with a positive attitude despite what I'd heard about it, but...the rumors were true.  It stinks.

I found it to be very user un-friendly and took up way too much of my time trying to simply set it up.  Alas, after a 2 hour set up process, I still hadn't managed to get things the way I like them.  I spent too much time trying to "find things".  When that little Start button disappears, I was lost.

Then, on top of that, I HATE the keyboard.  It feels very "loose" and makes a very loud click sound.  Makes me think of horse hooves on cobblestone streets in a migraine  inducing sort of way.  It was an unsuccessful purchase to say the least.

I phoned the company's customer service and must have sounded pitiful because they authorized a return.  Apparently, this is unusual for them but when I told them that I was a writer/editor and the keyboard satisfaction was an urgent matter for me--they gave in.  :-)

So, today, I'm back on the old jalopy.  Still running (barely) and I wish I could just keep it.  But...I'm going to try out one more that got rave reviews from some other writers and tech guys (who spend a lot of time on it).  Will keep you updated.

Hope all of you had a great writing day yesterday and will do just as well (if not better) today.

--Kerri
The Computer Conquerer


9 comments:

Lynnette Labelle said...

I love that quote, too. ;)


Day 19:
What I'm writing?
Today's total word count: 1,439 NEW RECORD!!! YAY!!!!

What I'm reading?
Chapters Completed: ch. 20

Okay, so I cheated a little. Since Hubby isn’t exactly supportive of my “hobby”, it’s easier for me to say, “I have some work to do this weekend”, rather than “I’m going to work on my book”. So, I took extra time to write today, knowing this will mean I’ll have to work this weekend. I won’t always do this, but I was on a roll and didn’t want to stop. ☺ Besides, I’m still under the weather and found it easier to write than edit. Different side of the brain and all that.

Sorry to hear about your computer issues. I recently bought a 15” MacBook Pro, and I was never an Apple user before my iPad. In fact, I was scared of switching back and forth between my laptop and PC. But, I have to say, even though I expected to only use my MacBook Pro occasionally, like at dance class or during the twins’ swimming lessons, I’m on it all the time. In fact, I prefer it over my desktop PC. Shhhhh… Don’t tell anyone. And, just so you know, since you probably use Track Changes in Word for editing, too, I haven’t had a problem going back and forth between my clients, who use PCs, and my laptop. You just have to get Microsoft Word for Mac installed on the MacBook Pro. Can’t beat the retina display. Anyway, enough plugging for Apple. LOL


Lynnette Labelle
www.lynnettelabelle.com
www.labelleseditorialservices.com

Beth Caudill said...

Today I'm going to have to take a weekend hiatus. There are times where you can't do everything. And this is one for me. Sunday is youngest's birthday and relatives are staying at our house. Today has been tidying up, tomorrow is entertain, Sunday is party and work on homeschool lesson plans.

I really doubt there will be any time for writing in that mess. Sometimes you gotta be a mom and a birthday (with M&M ice cream cake) is it.

See you all Monday.

Tablet - Write as in touch-type. I have a Vizo tablet we got from Sam's about a year and half ago. (couldn't afford the ipad) You get the apps from the Google Play store and when I do stuff like type an email in gmail, browse the web, use hootsuite, etc. You get a touch keyboard that fills half the screen. One screen are your basic letters and then there is a button to press to get numbers and symbols - easy to flip back and forth.

I paid for the full version of Documents to Go app so I could have a word processor and sync up with my desktop. Of course then I got drop box and I've seen ads for a MS Word app but don't have experience with that.

I find it better for me to do editing on the tablet. The docs to go app has autocomplete on it and I end up have so many errors that I find editing easier than straight writing. Plus with the keyboard filling half your screen, you can only read a few paragraphs at a time. But I can do some work on the go when I can't take my laptop, so it's a plus.

Aidee Ladnier said...

Today's quote is awesome. I hope they can become words for me to live by.

Good luck on the new computer. As someone that works in the tech field, I can tell you, that if your old computer is starting to give you problems, it's best to find a new one fast. Once they start going down, they often go down quickly and/or nastily taking all your data with them.

What I'm writing?
Book: Serpent's Scion
Today's total word count: 1051
Progress Notes: Secrets, secrets, secrets!

What I'm reading?
Book: Across the East River Bridge by Kate McMurray
1K Completed: Yes!
Book Note: The boundaries have been set and the first one's already being broken.

The link to the article I was talking about yesterday is here: http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/06/07/25-things-you-should-know-about-character/. I also liked the statement that tension in your story comes from your characters making bad decisions--because a good character doesn't necessarily have to be a smart character. And I can't in good conscience give you this link without warning you that the article does contain some strong language.

Teresa Reasor said...

I have a Mac Book Pro 17 in and love it. I work on it constantly since my hubby and daughter keep the desktop occupied.
What I'm writing-- Breaking Away my next Navy Seal book.
Word count today 836 words.
I did a few final tweaks today on Highland Moonlight and sent it to the formatter.
I also did 3 critiques. And read my 1000 words of Dead Again.
Teresa R.

The Book Boost said...

@Lynnette~

Woo hoo! Good to go! Awe, hubby should be more supportive. My hubby is less supportive of my editing and more supportive of my writing. He thinks I should write more! Wish I could afford the MacBook. I've heard such great things about it. I (once upon a time) started out with Mac when I worked for a newspaper. But I've been on nothing but Windows forever at this point. Maybe I'll give in and go back one day.

@Beth~

Enjoy the weekend and good luck with the relatives and the party! And I don't think I could do the touch type to write. I'm afraid my work would look something like this...lkjoier98209jalkdjfo. :-)

@Aidee~

Yes, please do live by that quote. You promise? ;-) Wow, you're working on a third book now? And thanks for the article link. I will check that out. And no worries...strong language is my middle name...well...not really...

@Teresa~

Back in the saddle today I see. Are you sore from the crawling around and assembly of furniture? I once nearly killed my back putting together an entertainment center for hubby.

Lynnette Labelle said...

I think my hubby will be more supportive of my writing once I prove I can do it by getting an agent and, even better, a publisher. However, I need time to write in order to do that. He's an engineer, so he thinks logically. Editing is a "guaranteed" income, my full-time job. Writing, at the moment, isn't. So, I have to find a way to sneak some writing time in, finish my WIP, and send it out. Then, I'll surprise him when I sign with someone.

One of my clients just got a request for a full from one of my dream agents, which has put even more of a fire under my butt than I was already experiencing through this challenge. I have to get this finished so I can get my work out there, too.

Lynnette Labelle
www.lynnettelabelle.com
www.labelleseditorialservices.com

Cynthia said...


Book: Emma Whitewood (working title)
Today's total word count: 0 words :(

Book: The Dark Lady
2 Chapters Completed: No
Today's Book Note:

I was still on the computer doing working until 8PM last night. By the time I got done with that I didn't feel like doing anything and I was still feeling sick.

I plan to make up for the low writing count week this weekend. I am going to spend some time on plotting then start writing.

The Book Boost said...

@Lynnette~

My hubby is an engineer as well so I understand that way of thinking! I believe...I KNOW you can do both. Don't give up on your dreams.

@Cynthia~

Hope the weekend has been better for you!

The Book Boost said...

I'm going to close comments on Day#19 now.