The Computer Buzz

January 3rd, 2008

Nome and Paul Van Middlesworth - owners - The Computer Factory
 

Why Don't You Write a Book?

Each year more of our customers get involved in writing and publishing. Word and image editing technology is everywhere and cheap. Even the most inexpensive inkjet printers are capable of rendering high quality text and graphic images.

Event announcements, church bulletins, greeting cards and club newsletters done by amateur's often rival professional graphics quality. Neophyte authors can research earth’s art, literature, science and history from the living room via the Internet. Genealogy buffs assemble and publish multi-generational family histories without leaving the comfort of their homes. Some of our customers have created beautifully illustrated family histories for distribution among far-flung family members.

Our customers have published novels, poetry, short stories and biographies with varying degrees of success. Most have chosen the POD (publish or print on demand) method. Some POD publishing services advertise that you can send them your text in the morning and order a copy of your book in the afternoon.

Everyone should write a book. Not necessarily a best seller or the great American novel, although you never know what might happen once you get started. Everyone should at least write a simple biography.

There are several reasons why everyone should author such a book. When you begin to sort out the events of your life you will discover an interesting phenomenon. The emotions and feelings associated with important events are crystal clear but the recollection of the actual events and their sequence are far less reliable.

A systematic year-by-year reconstruction of the major events of your life will force you to do some research. Reviewing letters, newspaper clippings, certificates, awards, and just talking to relatives and old friends will be an enlightening experience, guaranteed. Time has an odd way of warping our recollections.

Once you get your timeline ironed out you may find yourself at odds with some of the emotions associated with past events. From the vantage point of your older and (hopefully) more mature and enlightened perspective, you may see things in an entirely different light. You may wish to repair relationships with friends and relatives long ago put aside because of some differences. Removing the emotional shrapnel can let old wounds heal. It can be a very healthy thing.

If you approach it with an honest dedication, writing your life story will improve your memory and soothe your soul. If your motivation is to create a monument to your memory or a guidebook for future generations you will get preachy and screw the whole thing up. Start today; you'll be a better person for the effort.