Category Archives: Writing

New Toy

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I bought new voice recognition software this week and spent the morning setting it up. I used to have an older version on my laptop, but no longer have the laptop.

It’s the newest version of Dragon NaturallySpeaking. I wrote about the software at Blogging Made Easy…Dragon Naturally Speaking.

I debated on getting it for my desktop, but realized how spoiled I am. I’d much rather talk, then type. As my iPhone and my Kindle Fire both have the talk-to-type feature, I decided my desktop needed it too.
#lovingit

re-energizing

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Occasionally, I like to take a break from writing and do something different. It might be painting—I love working with watercolors– or reading a great book. Last week, I felt that need. I think I was experiencing a “January funk’ when it came to writing. No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t get the words on the paper to make sense. After several attempts, I gave in to my muse and left her alone. To re-energize, I decided to flex a different creative muscle. I took on two projects; both were developing and publishing someone else’s book.
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Distracted by Technology

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Five years ago if you had told me I’d have more than a desktop computer, I would have told you, “No way.” However, today I not only have my desktop, I also have a laptop, a Kindle Touch, a Kindle Fire, and an IPhone.

I added the IPhone this week. I have to laugh because five years ago I was adamant that I didn’t want (and didn’t need) a cellphone. I refused to be “so accessible.”

When I got my first cellphone, I was hooked. It was a basic phone that I could text, go online and, of course, make phone calls with. I was content with those features. My reason for getting it was because I wanted my own “private” phone; I had moved in with Greg and his mother and shared the house phone.
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Blogging Made Easy…Dragon Naturally Speaking

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Using Dragon to blog

Using Dragon to blog

I enjoy talking, someone might say I enjoy it too much. Therefore, when a friend gave me the Dragon Naturally Speaking  program over ten years ago, I was overjoyed.

Rheumatoid arthritis has twisted and curled my fingers, typing is difficult. I use the eraser end of a pencil causing me to use the “hunt and peck” method.

With Dragon Naturally Speaking , speech recognition software, you talk into a microphone attached to your computer the words are transcribed onto the page.

On first opening the program, you are guided through the setup of a personal voice profile. However, after saving the profile, anytime you log on, you can start talking and Dragon responds.

Although there is a quick setup option, I discovered that if you use use the long setup the program recognizes your words more accurately and there is less “training” when you use it again.

Creating documents isn’t the only thing Dragon can do. I can also surf the Internet, open files and applications—anything I need to do on a computer can be preformed with the Dragon Naturally Speaking software.

If you are a writer, student, or someone who uses the computer a lot, Dragon Naturally Speaking can make all your task easier.

Have you used this voice recognition programs? Or, is there another program you prefer? I’d love to hear about your experiences. Just leave a comment in the form below.

Innocent Comments can Change Lives

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I am a writer.

I am an author.

It doesn’t matter which title you give me, I’m excited to be in either category. Frankly, I never dreamed I’d be writing stories and books as a career. Although, I have always enjoyed reading, I would occasionally try my hand at creating a short poem, or a snippet of a scene for a story. My passion has always been painting. I enjoy taming the wild properties of watercolors: mixing colors without them getting ‟muddy,” controlling the drips of too wet paint, and developing light or dark areas where I want on the picture.

So, how did I become a writer? From an innocent comment in an email.
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