October 17, 2007

Letters To The Editor For October 17th

That Only Happens to Other People! - When Tragedy Affects a Writer's Livelihood

I really wanted to respond to this one. I'm not an expert on software and help for the disabled, but I do know what works for me! I have had problems with my hands for years, possibly caused by 30+ years as a computer consultant.

I was told, years ago that using the Dvorak keyboard would help fend off Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), so I taught myself to use it. If you can learn to touch type on that layout then you'll find Dvorak keyboard mappings on most PC's on the market. If you don't need the keycaps, then you don't need to put your hand in your pocket for a new keyboard, in my opinion. I've never bought a special keyboard, and I've been using Dvorak for years, on various types of computers.

In the Year 2000 the osteoarthritis which has been plaguing my knees spread to my hands, forcing me into early retirement from the computer world because I couldn't do the typing - it hurt too much. I also took to voice input. Worked with Dragon (they call it Dragon Naturally Speaking on my side of the Atlantic) for a while writing reports and other documents on my clients' PC system. I found it easy to use. The basic training was a little frustrating, but persevering beyond that resulted in good accuracy and speed of "typing".

For many years my computer of choice has been a Mac. Dragon only works on the PC, but there is an excellent voice input program for the Mac called iListen, produced by MacSpeech Inc. (www.macspeech.com). That's what I use these days. I'm working as a freelance writer, so you can see that it's very useful - the support you get from the company is excellent as well.

I'm not visually impaired, so can't comment on modifications to help there. I would suggest, though, that anyone with visual difficulties explore the helps already built into their OS, Windows or Mac. I know that the Mac OS has lots of ways of making the screen easier to read. If you do need a new computer to help, can I suggest you try looking at a Mac, and what that can do for you, before you pay heavily for something custom made? No, I've got no connection with Apple, apart from being a very happy user of their products.

Hope this information is useful.

Cheers for now,

Dave Smith
Wordsmith and yarnspinner, singer and storyteller

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All Publishers Should Aspire to Be Like This!

Hi Ang,

I know there's a lot of bad news out there these days about the difficulties writers have with less-than-ethical publishers. So I thought you might be interested in this bit of good news.

I recently started writing monthly articles for an alternative spirituality magazine, Cosmic Lighthouse. Oddly enough, the editor approached me, not the other way around. He was familiar with my work, and liked it. So he wondered if I'd write for his magazine. Of course, I jumped at the opportunity, especially since it's a high-quality publication.

But here's the best part. I sent in my first article, and received a response the next day. The editor said the article was great, and he paid me right then, BEFORE publication. Doesn't get any better than that! Boosts your faith to know there really are good, honest publishers out there.

Hugs,
John Cali
http://www.greatwesternpublishing.org

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How Should I Handle Fan Mail?

Answer them all.

The first time a story of mine hit a large E-zine, I received more than five hundred emails.

They flooded my inbox from countries around the world. People emailed to tell me how I touched their hearts, made their day, or reminded them of a time in their own lives.

The weekend following the release of the story, I sat down and spent a whole day responding to each-and-every one of them.

Eighty percent of those I responded to joined my small E-zine

My words touched them in some way. They took the time to tell me so. They deserved a response.

Many of them have become friends who email me regularly. I share my life with them, and they share theirs with me. I helped a few in need of support, by connecting them with other members who have been through the same.

They worry about me when I haven't posted at my usual time. They're my family.

A few readers have told great stories of their own and allowed me to write them.

They are the people who will buy my book, when I complete it, and if I find a publisher.

They are my family - if I hadn't responded to them, I would have lost them.

Michael Smith
To read my stories or to sign up to receive my weekly story, go to: http://subs.zinester.com/86758/