Warning . . . I also posted this on the babesinbookland blog but the research links make it worth the duplication.

Hi -

I love technology almost as much as I love coffee, and that’s saying something!  At SleuthFest 2007, I was lucky enough to be on a panel with some fellow techies – it was heaven.

For me technology is divided into two general categories: What you have and what you can get.  The ‘what you have’ is usually defined by what you think you need to get your book done.  For me, it’s a PC (MAC away – I just learned on a PC and I don’t feel like retooling).  I need an iPod and iTunes – okay, so maybe need is a little strong.  I create a daily playlist – it just sets the mood for me when I’m writing.  In terms of software (PS – I have no affiliation with these companies), I use Word (please embrace the track changes feature) and run XP even though I own Vista (I want the kinks gone before I load it).  I use plotting software called Power Structure (www.write-brain.com).  It isn’t for the faint of learning, nor will it plot your book for you.  It is simply an organizational tool that I find transportable and useful.  I like the character profiles available in WriteWayPro.  It allows me to import photographs and being a visual learner, I enjoy that feature.  Do you need this specialty software?  Nope.  Nothing you can’t accomplish with a pad and pen. 

Some of my other favorite things . . . Visual Thesaurus – I like the software and the fact that it has an MS Word plug-in.  I like ReadPlease.  This software allows you to have the computer ‘read’ your manuscript back to you.  It doesn’t have a creepy computer voice (yeah) but it will stumble over names a times.  Still, it recognizes punctuation, so it actually reads with a small amount of inflection. 

I’m learning to podcast and hopefully Traci will talk about that (hint, hint) since we’re taking the course together.  The best part about it is all you need is a microphone from Radio Shack and free software from www.audacity.com. 

In terms of what you need to get – it’s all out there.  Anything you want can be found on the Internet.  Thanks to Joe Moore, I can give you a link to his site where he has all the links you could possibly need.  (Do drop him a note and let him know how helpful his site is!).  You can find all this neat stuff at http://joe-moore.com/research/.  He even gives you insight into Secret Google tricks. 

Last must have . . . MS Outlook, NOT Outlook Express . . . kinda.  Why?  Outlook has a full service calendar with built in reminders that alarm when you need to do something or be some place.  Also, learn to make you inbox work for you.  Mine is set-up so that all listserve emails go into a file and not directly into my inbox.  Am I anti-social?  No, out of sight out of mind.  It removes the temptation.  I’ve set-up other automatic file settings as well, making sure that only the really important stuff shows up in my inbox.  Now, you can do the same thing using a calendar program, a yahoo group, or any number of other programs and servers out there.  I don’t really care what you use so long as you use something to keep from being an email slave. 

Happy writing!

Rhonda