What Tech Do We NEED To Know As Writers?
Sunday July 27, 2008
I've been chatting via email with a mother who was out of the writing game for a couple years due to child-raising. Given that she comes from a newswriting background, I think she'll be just fine. One question that I could not help her with was in the tech arena. What exactly (bare bones) does she need to know to be a successful freelance writer? Obviously she could email, and I assume surf the net. I asked her if she composed via Word, and told her that she'll need some way to organize her endeavors and schedule her calendar. What am I missing here? What are the basic computer skills/programs a writer absolutely needs, and what are the skills that are just nice to have?
Comments
Needs:
1. Start and maintain a blog.
2. Create a presence on a social network, in order to look for gigs and be open to them. On LinkedIn, she could upload clips or parts of clips.
Would be nice but not required:
1. Some basic HTML tag knowledge
2. Use of RSS feed/feedburning/etc.
Probably more, but that’s all that comes to mind at this point.
For communication: email. This includes submitting writing to publishers these days.
For writing: a word processor such as Microsoft’s Word or OpenOffice.org’s sWriter. Not just for typing but for formatting (every publisher seems to like a subtly different format in my experience, so learning to define and use ’styles’ is important). The word processor needs to be able to save files in different file formats too (publishers ask for .RTF, .PDF and sometimes .DOC – and publishers are just starting to accept .ODT) There are some fancy writing ‘environments’ available (like Scrivener for the Mac, yWriter for the PC) but I find I can get along nicely without them (see my blog post on the subject at http://grahamstorrs.blogspot.com/2008/07/software-to-support-writing-my-new.html )
To establish a Web presence or ‘brand’: A blog. This isn’t really essential unless you have a fan-base you want to look after. Wordpress, Blogger and LiveJournal all offer free and easy-to-use blogs.
I don’t think a writer actually NEEDS anything else. (Papaer diaries work just fine.)
Writer’s are lucky: The barriers to a successful career are relatively small.
Other than mentioned above, I think a modern writer really needs to be a little web savvy.
Sure, a blog helps build your brand, but you also can use an RSS feed reader to keep up with the publishing industry and oter writers.
I think you need to keep abreast of new sites and technologies that fit in with the way you work: I Know I’m still trying to get a handle on online applications.
“Writer’s are lucky: The barriers to a successful career are relatively small.”
Lou, this was a joke, right?
Hey Graham, I can kind of see what he’s saying— compared to other businesses, right? Less start up costs, etc. Not “easy” but perhaps a bit easier.
With kids in the house you probably want a private office space. You may want to arrange your schedule with your spouse’s work schedule so one of you can watch the kids while the other is working or get a babysitter.
You definitely need MS Word or a compatible word processor. A broadband Internet connection is recommended but you can squeek by with dialup if money is tight. You can also upload files at the library.
A website is a good idea. It’s optional if you are dealing with publishers, but important if you are a copywriter. I think a RSS feed or a blog is optional.
You should have manuscript tracking software. Don’t forget to get a good bookkeeping program. The IRS will be interested in your income and expenses at the end of the year. Who knows, you might be audited. Keep good records of everything.
Sounds like you’ve given her ideas on what she needs already. Just in case!
1. Internet (could use dialup if it’s cheaper)
2. Email (lots of good free ones)
3. Open Office Suite (free at openoffice.org, highly recommend this one)
4. Planner (I use a paper calendar planner but some people like to use them on the computer)
That’s probably all she needs for now. She can get a free/low cost fax number if she needs it or just a fax machine.
She may want to start a blog with one of the good free sites like Blogger.
She also needs to keep an updated resume and writing samples on hand, whether she plans to apply for jobs in person or online.