7 ways to manage technical support for writers

October 02, 2015 in Handy hints, Professional writer, Technology

Project 365 #282: 091013 Give Us A Clue Mate!

Most writers use a computer of some sort these days, and the thing about computers is that they go wrong. It’s not an ‘if’, but a ‘when’. In my experience, it happens when you have a deadline for the same day or when you were just about to dash out of the door to start your holiday. Unless you’re working for a company or some sort of co-operative, chances are you are your own technician. So what can you do to minimise the pain?

5 Ways to further your writing project when you can’t work on it directly

August 20, 2015 in Creative Writing, Handy hints, Professional writer

There can be several reasons why it is not possible to work on your book, blog or other writing project. Maybe you’ve saved it in the cloud, and don’t have an internet connection. Perhaps you didn’t think you would have the time to write, so didn’t take your laptop with you. Or maybe you’re waiting outside the school gates. Whatever the reason, you can usually still do something. Here are the strategies that I’ve found work for me.

Antivirus Blues

March 23, 2015 in Handy hints, News & views

One of the things I’ve learnt over the years is that if my antivirus program tells me there is a new version that I need to install, I always create a system restore point (I’m using a PC). Why? Because on almost every occasion something doesn’t work afterwards.

Backing up your Blogger blog

December 29, 2014 in Handy hints, How to

What can be worse than losing your beautifully-crafted prose that you’ve published as blog posts? In this short series I’m looking at how you you can try to guard against the inconceivable happening. Today, I’m looking at Blogger. If you have a blog using the Blogger platform, then here’s how to back it up.

Backing up your website or blog

December 28, 2014 in Handy hints, How to

The word “paranoid” is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as

“exhibiting unnecessary or extreme fear; characterized by unreasonable or excessive suspicion of others.”

Well, you know the old joke: Just because you're paranoid i doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you!

In a similar sort of way, I don’t think there is anything “unreasonable” in being paranoid about losing the content on your website.

Handwriting fonts revisited

November 08, 2014 in Handy hints, Website writing

While I was writing the blog post entitled Handwriting on the Web, I was quite surprised that the typeface appeared as it was intended to: I’d assumed I’d have to take a screenshot of it to make it appear properly in a web browser. As it turns out, my original instincts were correct.

What acting taught me about public speaking

August 22, 2014 in Handy hints, News & views, Professional writer

Many moons ago I took up amateur dramatics for a while. That may seem a bit odd for someone who likes to keep himself to himself, but someone invited me to see a play he was in, and I thought it looked like fun.

I have to say that the thought of going on stage was a terrifying experience. Note that I said the thought of it, not the experience itself. I’ll try to explain.

Further thoughts on using Word for Desktop Publishing: Text Boxes

July 09, 2014 in Handy hints, Technology, Word

Back in April 2014 I penned a few lines on using Word as a desktop publishing tool. On the whole it works, but, as I noted then, it does have serious limitations.

I mentioned in that article that it was impossible to use automated cross-referencing between text boxes. Since then I have discovered something even worse.

The point of pointless writing

July 07, 2014 in Creative Writing, Handy hints, News & views

What’s the point of doing exercise or yoga? The answer is, usually, to keep yourself generally fit and toned up. Unless you’re preparing for an athletic event, there is no specific or direct point to any of it.

Ideas for making your blog work for you

February 22, 2014 in Handy hints

Young girl in morning dress, blogging, after Philipp Friedrich von Hetsch

It can be quite hard coming up with ideas for making your blog work for you. By that I mean help you generate traffic to your blog, help you to establish yourself as the go-to person in your niche, or how to generate income from your blog (whether directly or indirectly). However, I recently came across a blog post that suggests 90 ways to “make your blog rock”. It’s pretty good.

Is it possible to write better if you write faster?

December 11, 2013 in Handy hints, Professional writer

I’ve been prompted to ask this question because I recently picked up, in a second-hand bookshop, a book called “No plot? No problem!”. The author is Chris Baty, who started the "Write a novel in a month” competition, otherwise known as “Nanowrimo”.

I haven’t read very much of it yet, but from what I have read I’m impressed.

Bash first, craft later

October 16, 2013 in Handy hints, Professional writer

There is a “law”:

Ninety-nine Rule of Project Schedules

The first ninety percent of the task takes ninety percent of the time, the last ten percent takes the other ninety percent.

I never really understood this in the context of “projects” as normally understood. But in the context of a writing project or assignment, it makes perfect sense.

Writing a book as a blog

October 08, 2013 in Handy hints, News & views, Professional writer, Web 2.0

It is almost a year since I suggested 7 reasons writers should blog. I’ve recently discovered another one.

Writing advice from 1937

July 18, 2013 in Handy hints, News & views, Professional writer, Technology

On one of my visits to second-hand bookshops I picked up a copy of The Writer, from January 1937. There are some things which haven’t changed, but the technology definitely has!

Ccleaner to the rescue

July 15, 2013 in Handy hints, Technology

It's often the case that something which looks like a big problem can be fixed pretty easily. Such was the case earlier today. I typed in a comment on my other website, but when I pressed "Post", a message popped saying "You are unable to post."

Very helpful!

Well, all sorts of things go through your mind at a time like that

The best laid plans and all that

June 28, 2013 in Bits & bobs, Creative Writing, Handy hints, News & views

I have to say that I am becoming increasingly cynical about writers who give advice on how to write all the time, regardless of circumstances. I am happy with advice like, "Always carry a notebook so you can jot down ideas while waiting at the supermarket checkout", or "Get up an hour before the rest of the family so you can write in peace", but sometimes life just, well, takes over.

4 reasons to work with pen and paper

May 17, 2013 in Creative Writing, Handy hints, News & views

Erm, look. I don’t quite know how to put this but, well, er, sometimes – gosh this is so embarrassing! Well, the thing is, I know I’m supposed to be some sort of techno-geek but often I find that working on paper is better than working on a computer. For the initial outline anyway. There, I’ve said it. I feel much better now!

There are several reasons why working on – and with – paper is beneficial.