I cut my teeth on WORD 97 and parting with it was
like tearing off my fingernails. But ten years later I finally caved and jumped
into OFFICE 2010. It was like leaving the trolley car and boarding a rocket. I
cried. I cursed. I bemoaned myself for ever letting my cousin talk me into
this, but four novels later, I had forged a decent relationship with my word
processing tool.
Then, I saw author Gale Leach’s blog on a new
software program called “Scrivener.” Apparently it does everything except the
laundry. (But give it time). Using words like “navigate,” “restructure,”
“switch,” “edit,” “research,” this program apparently replaces all of those
sticky notes that I have pasted to my desk and wall. Not to mention the piles
of computer paper that bear legitimate notes and references. Sounds good, huh?
But I foresee downsides immediately. The cats will
hate it. They won’t have anything to chew up or shred when I’m not in the room.
And I won’t be able to impress my guests with the multitude of work I’m doing
when they see a clean desk! But worst of all is the fact that I’ll have to
start all over again learning a new program. And believe me, I’m a slow
learner.
Hey, I just congratulated myself last week for
figuring out how to do footers and headers! And I still can’t get the margin
thing straight. Moving to “Scrivener” would be akin to taking the controls over
for a 747 when I can’t even fly a Cessna! I’ve got to be honest. Lots of screen
“stuff” scares me. I loved “Word Perfect” back when the dinosaurs roamed. It
had a black screen and the only thing you saw were the words you wrote. That
was it. “Scrivener” looks as if it’s the multi-plex for on-screen viewing.
Don’t get me wrong. I haven’t dismissed the idea
entirely. I just put it “on hold.” If I
have time in 2025, I’ll take another look. Unless of course they come out with
a software program that also operates the microwave. I’m listening, Gale…
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