The Writer’s Tools—How Technology Changed my Life as a Writer

Guest Blogger, Raewyn Alexander

After an OOS (Occupational Over-use Syndrome) injury, I talk to the computer and it writes using voice recognition software. Two finger typing’s now for editing and I ‘write’ faster.

On a manual typewriter, I slogged to produce a first novel published by Penguin, (FAT). Liquid paper gummed up typewriter keys, they needed repair. With computers I usually only find bogged thinking to worry about.

Studying, e-mail messages delighted me and I explored cyberspace. The NZ Book Council homepage with my publishing history, such great promotion. I joined discussion groups comfortable knowing I could refer strangers to my homepage, without revealing personal details.

Critical thinking helped to carefully decide which msn groups to join. Many writers critiqued then recommended new ideas and styles, and ‘outsider’ opinions enlivened my writing. I workshopped with international writers which also meant I found publication in America.

In time, I gained a degree in International Communication and someone I’d discussed philosophy with online, recommended an internet job which was a joy. I hope to keep applying my skills in education. Coincidentally, one of the people I worked with asked me to write this blog and so promoted my writing even further (thanks).

My first computer try-out decades before, the CPU was the size of a small caravan but on my AppleMac laptop, new software caught my attention. Soon I designed, promoted and published books for others and produced a literary magazine called Magazine for six years. People emailed international work; copied and pasted, computer spellchecked for printers to mass-produce, Magazine was then posted globally. My poetry soundtracks for iMovies are online too.

Computers easily edit, copy and paste and adapt writing, while they save enormous amounts of data in a small space, and some are portable. Once I worked on a manual typewriter in the garden, hardly speaking to anybody. Now I chat or email online, Google research and may work almost anywhere. I send manuscripts more easily than before, too.

Invaluable friendships, support and advice through new technology are the main benefit. I’m so grateful. People appear most important in any human endeavour.

Since around the age of nine, Raewyn Alexander wanted to be a writer and her 11th book, A Bee Lover’s Poetry Companion, has just appeared through Earl of Seacliff. Learning is the path of a writer, she believes and writing’s a life-long pleasure and challenge, which may include applying artistic principles to other activities too like her communication consultancy work. More on the links below -
http://www.earlofseacliff.co.nz/BeePoems.htm
http://www.bookcouncil.org.nz/writers/alexanderraewyn.html
http://www.myspace.com/raewynalexander
Photo by Hap Richardson.

Want to write for The Writer’s Life blog? Drop us an email at thewriterslife@hercircleezine.com.

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