PAM TRADER WILL PRESENT OUR JANUARY WORKSHOP
COMPUTERS AND WRITERS: WHEN IT’S ALL GEEK TO YOU

Registration IS NOW OPEN!

***** Permission to Forward Granted *****
RWA® Online Chapter presents:

Class: COMPUTERS AND WRITERS: WHEN IT’S ALL GEEK TO YOU

Instructor: PAM TRADER
Dates: January 9 – 20
Registration Deadline: January 6
Fee: $15 Non-Chapter members. RWAOL Chapter #136 members; free.
Payment method: PAYPAL is recommended!

It’s safe and fast! Check and money orders also accepted.
Registration: http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/Campus.html

NOTE: -Use your real First and Last Name & Choose Pay Option.
ONLY Chapter #136 members choose the Chapter Member option button.
FMI: workshops@rwaonlinechapter.org

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
COMPUTERS AND WRITERS: WHEN IT’S ALL GEEK TO YOU
Writers have a love/hate relationship with their computers. We love the stories we create on them, but we hate when they misbehave, eating our manuscripts and driving us crazy with AutoFormatting we didn’t ask for.

But have you ever looked at those ads in RWR for software that tease us with a glimpse of writing nirvana? In this two-week online workshop, Pam Trader will discuss several writing software products (including Power Writer, Write Way Pro, Dramatica, and others) and consider their pros and cons so you can make an informed decision on whether these products are really better than your normal word processor.

And speaking of word processors, just how old is yours? Did you realize updating your version can give you access to all sorts of new tools to make your life easier? Pam will even reveal how you can update your word processor for much less than buying the box straight off the shelf. And she’ll tell you about some free word processors you might want to consider.

In this workshop, Pam will also spotlight other computer tools that can make a writer’s life easier, including backing up your manuscripts, synching files between two computers, electronic sticky-notes, and three-ring binder software replacements. And we’ll consider the pros and cons of online collaboration tools that can make critiquing between two or more people easier.

Audience participation is highly encouraged as we exchange tips, ideas, and our deepest, darkest secret questions about the computer we love to hate.

NOTE: This class is NOT platform specific and will discuss options available for both Mac and Windows PC users.

CLASS HIGHLIGHTS

Novel Writing Software: What is it and will it help me write a better book?
Word Processors: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, and the Cheap
Tool Time Tips: Tools for your writing and your computer
Questions and Answers: Open forum on anything from buying a new computer to adware/spyware and virus protection tips

BIO:

A confessed gadgetaholic and computer geek, Pam Trader fully admits she can’t teach you how to plot a book, but she can teach you how to buy a new computer. During the day she’s a software analyst for Computer Sciences Corporation, a major information technology company. By night she alternates between writing light paranormals, testing out new writing-related software she finds, and maintaining a handful of websites for friends. She refused to share her personal website with you because it’s always in a half-baked state as she tries out new stuff on it.

Format: Course is conducted via online discussion (bulletin) board on the RWA® Online website. Non-chapter members MUST complete both the workshop registration AND the discussion board login registration for access. Instructions for login are presented after the registration pages (or to return to the login instructions, go to http://www.rwaonlinechapter.org/WorkshopAppTY.html. The workshop is available for up to one week after the end date and a downloadable archive of the workshop will be available the week following the workshop.

It’s 11:25 pm Christmas Eve and we’re done.

Well, sorta.

Mark is finishing the computer set-up–but technically we’re done.

Usually, we’re up well past midnight doing the Santa thing. But not tonight. Well, okay, we’ll be up past midnight but we won’t be putting together Santa stuff. 🙂

I hope everyone has a happy holiday. Be safe and have an appletini when you get wherever you’re going. Mmmm. Good.

And just for fun:

Which Greek Goddess Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

You are Hera, wife of Zeus and Queen of the Gods. Her name is Greek for “lady”. Hera cared for her beauty carefully. She went to bathe every year in the spring Canathus as Nauplia and renewed her virginity in the mystical waters. She was known as the “white armed goddess” and was irresistible when she fragranced her body with a lotion so sweet that it filled the whole universe with its fragrance. She was sought after by many gods, though she never strayed from Zeus.

It’s 11:25 pm Christmas Eve and we’re done.

Well, sorta.

Mark is finishing the computer set-up–but technically we’re done.

Usually, we’re up well past midnight doing the Santa thing. But not tonight. Well, okay, we’ll be up past midnight but we won’t be putting together Santa stuff. 🙂

I hope everyone has a happy holiday. Be safe and have an appletini when you get wherever you’re going. Mmmm. Good.

And just for fun:

Which Greek Goddess Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

You are Hera, wife of Zeus and Queen of the Gods. Her name is Greek for “lady”. Hera cared for her beauty carefully. She went to bathe every year in the spring Canathus as Nauplia and renewed her virginity in the mystical waters. She was known as the “white armed goddess” and was irresistible when she fragranced her body with a lotion so sweet that it filled the whole universe with its fragrance. She was sought after by many gods, though she never strayed from Zeus.

Mr. Mel has hi-jacked this blog for a moment. Shut up and have a good time.

Now, if any of you have ever had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Geraci, then you’d know exactly why I whisked the phone away from mama and proceeded to bogart time with MG.

And yes, the loverly Maria G. has been a sounding board for some of Santa’s gifts this Xmas.

And yes, it’s gives mama the red ass to be kept out of the “circle of trust” and given the silent treatment.

If you email me with a convincing argument, I may be compelled to add you to the “circle of trust” and fill you in on the details of her Xmas giftage.

But you couldn’t divulge. There’s too much fun to be had in not divulging!!!

Can ya hear her squirm all the way over there? Can ya?

Music to my ears…

Fishdog – out!

Everyone knows how much I love Maria Geraci. I mean, I practically worship at the altar of Maria. But, I’m beginning to wonder if this was a smart move.

What? say you…

Well, Maria Geraci called me 10 minutes ago. She’s still on the phone, as a matter of fact…but NOT with me…. Nope, she’s talking to Mr. Mel.

What is wrong with this picture? See they are getting together to try to torment me. Apparently, Maria Geraci has been helping Mr. Mel with my Christmas present. And now, they can both tease me with their silence.

They do know how I’m haunted by the quiet. Especially from these two. They are NEVER quiet. Ever.

They are still talking. Should I be worried?

He has always had a thing for older women…

I told you guys yesterday about the erotic romance I’m working on with my CP and good buddy, Maria. The tentative title is The Garden of Pleasure. Maria has taken great joy in calling it The GOP just to make my eye twitch.

I love Maria Geraci. There are only so many people who I will allow to make my eye twitch and she’s one of them. Of course, I’ve decided to retitle our book to Pleasure Garden so I can call it PG and tell her that she needs to write hotter love scenes so we can get at least a PG13 rating. I mean, this is Erotic Romance. Sheesh.

(hah. like she needs to spice anything up. that mamacita can burn up the page with some steamy sexcapades)

Anyway, the point of my blog (as if I really ever have a point…I do ramble a lot) is I’m now actively working on two different books. I’ve never done the multi-writing thing before.

It’s kinda hard to shut up one character and then turn to another one and say, “Okay, it’s your turn.” Sometimes, the one character won’t shut up! And other times the other dude says, “Um, I feel neglected, so I think I’ll play hard to get.”

And then SOMETIMES nobody wants to come out and play.

Grrr. Stubborn-assed characters. Who do they think they are? Me?

A good thing I’ve discovered from this multi-writing thing is that it keeps me thinking and plotting and dreaming about my stories constantly. And I find that I’m glad to have something to work on. When I’m having difficulty with one story, I close it and open the other one, just to see what happens. And usually, I get a page or two out without too much self-torture.

I never thought I’d be a multi-book-at-one-time writer. I think I’m gonna like it though.

I told you guys yesterday about the erotic romance I’m working on with my CP and good buddy, Maria. The tentative title is The Garden of Pleasure. Maria has taken great joy in calling it The GOP just to make my eye twitch.

I love Maria Geraci. There are only so many people who I will allow to make my eye twitch and she’s one of them. Of course, I’ve decided to retitle our book to Pleasure Garden so I can call it PG and tell her that she needs to write hotter love scenes so we can get at least a PG13 rating. I mean, this is Erotic Romance. Sheesh.

(hah. like she needs to spice anything up. that mamacita can burn up the page with some steamy sexcapades)

Anyway, the point of my blog (as if I really ever have a point…I do ramble a lot) is I’m now actively working on two different books. I’ve never done the multi-writing thing before.

It’s kinda hard to shut up one character and then turn to another one and say, “Okay, it’s your turn.” Sometimes, the one character won’t shut up! And other times the other dude says, “Um, I feel neglected, so I think I’ll play hard to get.”

And then SOMETIMES nobody wants to come out and play.

Grrr. Stubborn-assed characters. Who do they think they are? Me?

A good thing I’ve discovered from this multi-writing thing is that it keeps me thinking and plotting and dreaming about my stories constantly. And I find that I’m glad to have something to work on. When I’m having difficulty with one story, I close it and open the other one, just to see what happens. And usually, I get a page or two out without too much self-torture.

I never thought I’d be a multi-book-at-one-time writer. I think I’m gonna like it though.