Saturday, July 9, 2016

Technically Challenged

by June Shaw


This is for all of us who were born technically challenged. I mean, Bob tells my sons not to use mechanical equipment--like a wheel barrel.

When computers became the thing (okay, I have to admit the first one was in our local college, and it took up two walls and was kept in a cold, locked room--but we could see it through all the windows), I said whoever knew how to work that thing was certainly brilliant. (Hint: I should have known then it wasn't going to be me.)

Fast forward awhile, and computers changed. They grew smaller, did not need to be kept in really cold conditions, and a few businesses had them.

"I think it's great that my children will probably learn how to use one of those things when they're in college," I'd tell everyone, so glad I would never have to go through that immense learning curve. After all, I'd given birth to five children, completed a B.A. plus in college, and began teaching whatever from my school's textbooks. There was one computer, and it was in the office, and as a lowly English teacher, I certainly did not learn to use it. (Remember the wheel barrel?)

Okay, but I did want to become a writer. I wanted to write novels, and yes, I had paper and a typewriter that usually worked, but did not have much extra time.

Getting to the point: Yes, I learned the basics of using a computer, which is so much easier to work with than a typewriter (but not the paper and pen), and I'm thrilled that I know what I do. I've written a number of books--maybe nine or ten--and they all come out of a computer until they come out in print or as e-books.


So why can't I use this blog? I'm on it with a number of great mystery authors who post regularly when they're supposed to, but my posts? Sometimes I think I've gotten one written and scheduled to show, and a week later I discover nope, that didn't happen. Now I'm trying again. I hope you'll all cheer for things to work out for me this time because, okay, I am better than a wheel barrel (although I do not want to use one.)

Am I the only one technically challenged? Gosh, one of my sons teaches computer usage to a group of people who work with him and one of my grandsons writes programs.

Please tell me some other person like me is out there. Thank you.

www.juneshaw.com


15 comments:

Jacqueline Seewald said...

Don't feel bad, June. I'm tech challenged as well and admit it!

Unknown said...

I'm having trouble figuring out how to leave a post on this blog, so you know you're in lots of good company!

Karen McCullough said...

It's not just being technically challenged. I'm pretty decent with computers, but it took me a while to figure out how Blogger worked. It's not as user friendly as it could be.

Susan Oleksiw said...

The first time I tried a word processor (on a Wang system) I realized at once the amount of labor it could save me. I only had to type the story once. After that, I was glad to learn but I really wanted a simpler system than the old Compaq. I hated that computer (1980s). I wrote my first novel, in college, by hand, of course, and then typed and retyped it. I'm so glad I don't have to do that anymore.

Unknown said...

Definitely not just you, June. I'm comfortable with what I do use, but I admit to being a Scrivener drop-out. My brain just doesn't work that way, I guess.

June Shaw said...

Jacqui, I'm so glad I'm not alone.

June Shaw said...

Oh, Vicki, I couldn't get my first response to anyone on here to show up. Hold my hand. We could try it together.

Ann said...

June, You have me beat by a mile. I don't even know how to start a blog! Maybe one day when we both have nothing new to write, you'll teach me:-)

Ann

June Shaw said...

Karen, I'm so frustrated with Blogger. I finally get my post to show up but tried to add pictures and -- splat. Maybe next time I can get it.

June Shaw said...

Susan, I wholeheartedly agree. How difficult it was to get writing done on those slower machines. It is terribly easy now.

June Shaw said...

Okay, Ann, I did not start this thing so don't you dare ask me to teach you to start a blog. I believe that's why God put those kids in SOLA: )

June Shaw said...

Oh, unknown (Bonnie, who couldn't get this this to post your name),I gave up on Scrivener long ago. We could have a party of those who thought they could but could not.

Ann said...

Good point, June. Maybe we can get one of them to do a program on Blogging at one of the meetings....now all I have to do is be able to show up. This past year has been my worst ever for making SOLA meetings.

Pamela S Thibodeaux said...

Sorry I'm late to the party...taught a beginning writers workshop on Saturday and traveled Sunday.

Great to have started a blog, June! One thing I've learned in my years of promo/marketing is that blogging or any kind of promo should be done consistently. Even if once a week.

Your blog looks great.
Good luck and God's blessings
PamT

June Shaw said...

Thanks so much, Pamela. I agree. Our promos need to be done regularly for our work to get noticed.