What you can hope to achieve

I think we have gotten to a good place to show you jut what you can acomplish. After a lot of time and effort you put forth into your work, you can achieve so many great things. By putting all of these ideas together into a whole and working together with your editors you can become something better. Now, you won't become extremely popular, but you can still be a great writer. With that, I'll leave you with an example of what you can be with all of the time and effort you put into your work.

SAVE SAVE SAVE!!

Ok, now this is a fact that you should've followed since you were given a computer at a young age-SAVE LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT. This is especially true if you are a writer, after all no one wants to spend 2 hours writing a really nice review and critique of their favorite reviewer's newest review only to see it gone in a flash because you didn't save the information at a critical point.

This is why I prefer to use Google docs so often. It automatically saves all of my data so I don't have to worry about hitting that save button again and again to make sure I am safe. That, and that allows me to come back to the work from anywhere else and continue.

But, I know that sometimes, your computer does bad things: Virus, malware, trojans, hard drive crashes, overheating, and so much more. And then you have to reset the computer and get it back into operation but you lose the data in the process. What to do?

The easy answer would be to get a flash drive, but sometimes those are expensive.

Another thing you can do is use things like

File sharing sites


Where you can use a password and login creditentals to keep your info safe and access it from anywhere else you might need in order to fix your work

Also this vid


Has a few ideas. Jut remember, keeping your info is very important for your continued work as a writer

Reviews-how to get and how to deal

See this? This is a group that I frequent that reviews work on a certain site. This group is dedicated to reviewing your work in a fair and nonbaised manner and that is what I want to write about. Reviews.

Look, just admit to yourself at the outset, your first work will never be truly fantastic or even good. Heck, it might even be horrible, but do not dispair. The internet is there to help you, really, it is. No, wait, come back and I'll tell you why.

See you will always get two type of readers to your story: A) a troll who will just rip your story/article/essay/ a new one just to get a rise out of ya or B) actual people who are nice enough to say "I don't like it because of-reasons". Reviewers of B are the ones you want, because they will usually leave helpful critism and small advice to help build you up from being medocre. Now, how to get those reviews on the net and not trolls.

FIRST! Go online to vairious forums and sites and ask around. You should be able to get a few here and there.

Second! ask someone who is not your family (no, seriously, no family. They are the worst type of reviewer because they will be biased. The closer you are, the more bias they have and will usually go into "ITs great!" Without telling you why) and have them review.

Then, after that, what should you do when they destroy it? Relax, go over what they don't like and fix it. Remember, you are in charge, so don't quit!

the three mechanics of writing.

I thought I would do something nice for you to help set up you writing style. We have already gone over how to write, where to, and the mechanics, but now we need to look at how technology can help you write the story itself. I have decided to higlight three vids that will help you out greatly




In this vid, we look at how to form an idea, to create one and allow it to grow (see where to gain inspiration



 This vid introduces you on the proper excution of the story


 Lastly, this vid looks into the mechancis and inner workings of the story. While you looked at the videos, I hoped you took the time to look at the suggestions, because there was the meat of the article. That there are several videos, pages, and more on writing tips and observations on writing that can help you find perfect your style of writing. It can also help you to explore your capabilities as a writer as you compare yourself to others.

Another site you can visit to test your merits as a writer and see what you write like is in this site here

Can using IT help with writer's block?

      The above is a full on representation of how some people suffer from the most common threat to every writer, one that looms in the shadows to attack all fans of good writing, and one that had brought many a great man to his knees-Writer's Block.

      Yes, that horrible disease that causes one to sleep when he is supposed to be writing that epic or journal entry for his freelance job. That horrible menance that prevents the latest chapter of your favorite story from coming out and making you read some low rate story instead.

     One that... has really only affected me ONCE in my entire life (due to the fact that I hate Haikus and writing 40 poems in 2 weeks is a monster of a task for even a smart 13 year old student). Yes, I am lucky to have ideas flowing into my head at a rate of one per hour. I am also a very creative person and have a fortunate fun life. However, this does not mean I do not understand where you as a writer have problems when that threat comes to your head.

So, can IT fix that? Yes it can, believe it or not.  You just need to combine your own sensbilities with the computer. For instance, you can go and find a few self hynosis videos. "But what if I can't be hypnotised?" The try to enjoy the soothing video and voice. Maybe find a bad movie on porpuse and talk out why it is bad and have a blast riffing it to shreds. OR you can find an old cartoon that you loved and want to see again. The internet is vast and you have plenty of time on your hands.

how to find the best place to get published

Ok, so you finished your story or work and now you just to need to find a good place to upload it. Well, never fear, the net is here for you-it is a great place to update and load up your stuff without worry about losing too much money.

First, you should determine what your stuff is-

Now if you are writing Fanfiction, like myself, you have plenty of choices ( fanfcition.net, fimfiction.net, and a few others) out there, you just need to know where to look.

But, what if you are not writing a fanfic, well then...you could always try a Tumblr, a blog (like this), or go to a freelance writer site. Just head to Google and put in a search for freelance jobs or even get your own site, as long as you make sure that you can find a good free one.

Another good tip is to present your stuff and of course promote! It's ok, it might seem a little selfish but sometimes a little can go a long way.

Speaking of wich, please check out my own material at http://www.fimfiction.net/user/Alchemystudent. I have plenty of stories here for the reading enthuasist.

Distractions!!

This is to point out a small problem when you are doing all of your writing online and with the web. You have a whole bunch of things that are great on the web: music, comics, web reviews, fanfics, stories, and web comics. Chances are, you are a fan of at least one of these things you are this close to clicking on another tab while you are reading this.

This is a problem and one I can symphatize with

This is a picutre of my window right now,

As you can see, I have a lot of tabs. This is mainly because as I write, I also like to read good fanfics, bad fanfics, listen to youtube reviews, and so much more. I can't help it, I like to check everything out and I am fascinated by a lot of objects. This does not need to happen to you, there are things you can do to fix this,

For one, you can always remind yourself just how often your favorite news sites updates, second is to close off all of your tabs except the one that has your project. Lastly, in the case of reading, take note of how fast you can read. If it takes you 15 minutes to read 5,000 words then you can actually finish it off before writing, but 30 mins and then I would advise write first, then read.

Typing speed and style, is it important?

To answer the above question right now, no- how you type is not important. Yes, there are schools and classes that teach you that there is one way to type and that leads to how fact you can actually type, but I have been to those classes and they are just not for me. Like fingerprints and fighting styles, your typing style is unique. It wont' change how fast you type anymore than how fast you write things down, for instance-I type with using mainly my two fingers and my speed (at fine sites like this) was 65 WPM, an exceptional standard actually!

Now, onto styles and how they vary, Take a look at this....





Tell me, do you think you can replicate that PErfectly? No, because it probably doesn't fit to your style as well as who you are. Remember, your typing style is unique and something that can be explored as it also leads to you fingding your voice as a writer.

How to come up with ideas

Ok, so you have the tools, lets see how we put them to use. Now, I usally can come up with ideas because of watching series I like, reading twitter accounts, or just relaxing by myself on the bed or in the tub. However, I also know some get their inspiration from the news  and other sources.

This is where the internet can come into play for some idea gathering. Much like reading a dictionary or a good book can help you get inspired, so can the net. For instance audible.com  has several books that you can listent to for free while you brainstorm or go to Wikipedia. A lot of places on the web have several chances for you to explore and collect ideas.

Getting help

I started this post off with the above video to prove a point, we all need help once in a while and the world of writing is no exception. Sometimes you might need help editing, sometimes you might need assitance with getting an idea, or sometimes you find yourself stuck on a story. Whatever the case may be, you might need some help to get out of the tough spots. Heaven's knows I did in the past.

Although you may think of yourself to be skilled in writing and the next Tolkein, the truth is, he and every other writer in exsitance has had a team of editors and publishers to keep them in line. The problem is, we as writers on computers might not have that luxery. Some of us are poor or just college students working to get by. How to fix this? Well, there are several groups out there to give assitance with pre-readers and editors.

After you use the docs and spell checker just go to a site like this and find one. Or even go to Deviantart, they also have a list of people who can help you edit and write a story, blog, or anything really.

Now, sometimes life can get in the way, I should know. I have two classes, several stories to write, and am part of a collab on another fic. But, remember, keep in constant contact and you should be fine

Using an oline thesarus and dictionary

    I want to add onto what I was discussing last post about using a spell-checker. I know that sometimes, the suggestion is even close to what you want to use or even the proper spell. Before you decide to add it to the internal dictionary and permanently put that  red mark out of your misery, try this. Take the word you are trying to spell like say, "arrogent" and go away from your word processor for a second.  Now take the word you are trying to spell and type it into the search engine of your choice (I prefer Google myself, mainly because I am pretty postitive that they own my soul). Now watch as, while you type, Google begins to give out a suggestion on what you want to search for and usually it is the word that you are trying so hard to spell. Trust me, this has saved my butt more times than I can count when I am writing. Now...onto the  topic of this blog-




Cute kittens!!

NO!

As you know, a good dictionary and thesarus is something that all writers need. It helps to let you know if you are using the word properly or are even close to the proper meaning. However, I don't usually use them when it comes to typing or the internet. This is mainly because I have a large vocabulary already and know the meaning of a lot of obscure words.

I know this is not the case for a lot of people, however. Some people do need help and luckily the answer is simple



See? Simple aint it?

Now, for something that is just as fun





Take what I had just told you and put it into the translator and boom! You have a special forgen language to use.

Tools of the trade spell-check

I decided to start with the video above, to illustrate an important point-spell check is not that hard to use! However, if you have been reading fanfics, online articles, and forum posts as long as I have then you will noctice that there are alot of people who do not get this. They will either type out their posts as fast as they can without care or go right into the middle of writing out the article without even trying to spell things correctly. I have even seen kids in sixth grade doing this excat thing when they are typing out their papers.

I wouldn't think that this was much of a problem if...the school computers didn't start off with the spell checker disabled. Making the user having to reactivate it. And why?

As I showed in the video above, it isn't that hard! Just go up to your tool bar and activate it or even use an Fkey. But nope, time and again I will find that one bad fan fic or post from a person who thinks that its ok to misspell or to make the worst grammar mistakes.

Look, the red line is your friend, it is meant to help you. So is the green line, it is meant to be there to offer assistance to make your writing better. I know it seem hard to do it on forums, though, but most I visit have a spell check option on there as well. Just click on it and you have most of the work done. Though I post this question, why do schools remove it?

Alternatives to typing

Ok, so before we explore in depth with what to do with the two pieces of tech and writiing...I think it is good that we talk about what to do if you have a disabilty that prevents you from typing. Particularly in the realms of sight and hand cordination.

     To get a little personal, the reason why I type so much and will find everything I can to do to advoid hand writing as much as possible is because I have horrible hand writing. I have been to physical threapist and they have yet to be able to fix it and the lessons never really took. Its why I try to use computers in my teaching, because I can not write and everything I would write on the board comes out looking like a mess. It is a personal problem that has haunted me for years and it is something that I know how to fix.

     That being said, I do know that there are people who are dealing with worse, some who do not even have hands or are parylized to the point where typing is not an option. For this, I do reconmend the speech to text function that is usually installed for free in Microsoft 7





    As seen in this video, Speech to text is a very useful tool and a common one that can be easy to use if you know what you are doing.  MY only problem is, sometimes when it comes to hearing what you are saying...it'll mess up badly. It is not always a problem, but one that comes up enough that it kind of gets annoying. Although, this maybe just dealing with how I talk, as I am quite the fast talker and sometimes my words can get jumbled up when I am talking.

    Another disability that concerns typing, is blindness. After all, you do need to at least see the keyboard to type and hear if you make a mistake. (A quite common fear for me as I love to read fanfics online.) There is a few things to help with this, such as a braille keyboard stickers or a few text to speech programs. This link here aslo demonstrates how some blind people get by with using the computer while they are disabled.

Week 1-How to start.

    Lets start with the basics of how ITN can help with my writing and in turn the basics of getting started with a piece. As you well know, no one write without a base to start from, you need pencil and paper in order to get anything down. The same could be said here, in order to start typing we need a word processor. Now, for me, I use two particular ones: Word, and Google docs. Lets look at both of them and see how well they work.

    Word is the most common of the group and most likely the first one that you have heard about when you started using a computer. In word, you have many options for formatting your text, changing the allignment, and to insert hyperlinks to a particular website that you might want. This was also my personal one that I got started with and though it is a classic, I can still say that it does have some small problems. Due to the fact that it recuires you save manually, there is a chance that you might forget to save when you close the program and thus lose all of your work. Too many bad memories with that, trust me. Another problem is that you would have to pay for it through office and this can be troubling if you just wanted a word processor without the excess material. It would also be troubling for the person who wants to get a computer on the cheap.

The second one that I use, and use more often lately is google docs through the use of drive. In order to best describe what it is and to better illustrate my points, here is a small video



Now, I have fallen in love with this service. It has all of the features of word and none of the expenses. I greatly enjoy the cheapness of the product, how it handles my typing speed, and so much more. I also love how the doc allows for others to join you in the writing of your material, allowing for people to help with editing or making collaberations that much easier.It also gives the writer a chance to make just as easy edits with an easy spell-check. The spell check also gives you the corrections for words, but also won't try to correct the words that are common in fandoms-such as Saiyan or other terms. If I had any real complaint with it is this, since you are working online with this you need an internet connection. To make it worse, if you lose the connection at anytime, you'll lose the ability to work on the product. Fortunatly, and this is another reason why I am a fan, is that docs has this tendancy to autosave everything for every edit. This means that whenever you type, you'll not have to worry about losing valuable work

Introduction: Why are you reading this?

     Greetings, if you are here then you must be curious as to why you are reading this and what is an experience. I am calling this blog an experience because this is all about my experiences in ITN and how it has benefitted me in one of my favorite hobbies: writing. It is also an experience on how I can use ITN to better my writing skills and to improve my own grammical mistakes. To best describe what type of discussion I hope to inspire, here is something that someone could use the word program for-



And this is a reading of a story that I hope that my writing can achieve with the help of tech and word processing