The Computer Buzz

May 14th, 2009

Nome and Paul Van Middlesworth - owners - The Computer Factory
 

Write a Book

Each year more of our customers get involved in writing and publishing. Word processing and image editing technologies are abundant and inexpensive. Inexpensive ink jet and color laser printers are capable of rendering excellent quality text and graphic images. Event announcements, church bulletins, greeting cards and club newsletters done by amateurs often rival professional graphics quality.

Neophyte authors can research Earths 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 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 that afternoon.

Everyone should write a book. We're not talking about 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 you should author such a book. First of all, your life is as important and your experiences as meaningful as anyone's, even more so to those who are near. Mom died last year at the age of 95. She was a magnificent woman. We all have wonderful stories and memories of Mom but they are but scattered snapshots of her life. How wonderful it would have been if she had left behind a written framework for our memories.
When you begin to sort the events of your life you will discover that the emotions and feelings associated with important events are crystal clear but the recollection of the facts and chronology of the events in your life 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.