Hi friends –
How times have changed since I wrote my first manuscript on a typewriter.
Well I’m not as old as this antique, but I did love my IBM Selectric! I could make that little ball spin over 120 WPM. The thought of replacing my beloved Selectric with some kind of new technology intimidated me despite the promise that I could so much more by correcting my mistakes on a screen.
A screen? I had no idea what they were talking about, although I admit the thought of throwing away my bottle of white-out was appealing. But really . . . it seemed too good to be true. Besides, even in my twenties I found change threatening and questioned my ability to learn something new.
I’m now 71, and I’m still intimidated by technology. Seems I just get comfortable with the software I’m using when, to keep up with the times, I need to upgrade. I seldom find the “user friendly” promise to be true. But thank You, Father, that You are faithful to help me do things I never would have imagined I could figure out how to do. And thank You for Celebration Web Design’s EZ-CMS (Easy Content Management System) that really is easy – even for me!
And so here I am managing not one but THREE websites, designing brochures and flyers in QuarkXPress, and typesetting books. I haven’t yet mastered the mystery of HTML, and I really don’t like the changes Microsoft made in Word 2015. And then there’s Access. I’m forced to use it for my mailing list, but I much prefer Excel.
Hopefully I haven’t lost you by now, for there really is a point I want to make.
Friends, we need to keep on learning!
I’m convinced one of the best places for a writer to learn is at a writer’s conference. And even after 33 years of serving as a conference director, I never cease to be amazed at what Father does each year at the Colorado and Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.
The bios and editorial needs for the 19 editors and 20 Agents & Other Professionals on faculty at the August 3-6 Philly conference are now online. I’m still working on the page for our 19 authors. New this year I’m adding a thumbprint of their books – well, one of their books or I’d never get done since many of our editors, agents, and other professionals are also authors with numerous published books. Thank You, Father, for giving us such an outstanding faculty of men and women who are committed to You and to “writing Your answer.”
Whether or not you are planning to come to the August 3-6 conference, you’ll find lots of helpful info and freebies on the conference website as well as my main website, www.writehisanswer.com.
I hope you’ll visit, and I pray you’ll choose to keep learning!
Loved this so
Hi Marlene: Nice to learn of you and about the upcoming Conference. I am a new participant of ACFW. I really liked your above post. I must admit you did loose me half way throughout your listing of newly ‘acquired’ skills. Good for you! Have a good day! Mary