Is a Boon to Writers
Instant Messenger is a boon to writers. It is even a boon to scribblers. Having Instant Messenger by AOL.com is like having your own personal chat room. A platform like this which doesn't take up much room and little time to setup will be of immense help to anyone, on either side of the desk in editing, and other tasks, such as negotiating on contracts, etc. Best of all, we can communicate as quickly as we can type.
You can use Instant Messenger with any internet service provider. Instant Messenger is fast, easy to learn and still has enough versatility to use it in editing portions of a manuscript. We can see improvements, and move on Instant Messenger will automatically keep a record of what was said for each of us. We can each record why each portion was important.
Once a connection is made a chat box appears. At the top is a message board where messages from both parties will appear. At the bottom is another area where you can review your messages before posting them. When you are ready to send your message, just hit the ENTER key, or SEND button. Your message appears above for the other person(s) to read INSTANTLY. It is great. Now, if you want a paragraph to end, and a new one to begin, but don't want your message to go on the board just yet, hold your shift key down and hit the ENTER key.
You will discover it is easy to send styled text, use colors to brighten your words, and creating clickable Web links is quick as a wink. Once you get the hang of this you can even customize Instant Messenger with your favorite sounds.
There are privacy controls to keep out unwanted guests. You can even cloak your system so certain people won't know you are on line. Party Crashers? Warn them off. If they won't listen, their privileges can be revoked so they won't bother anyone.
All you need is an Internet Connection to get Instant Messenger working for you. If you're like nine million others on America On Line, you already have this program. Now is the time to begin using it.
Are there any drawbacks? Not really. If you and the other party both have two phone lines then you might end up talking AND writing at the same time, but hey, that's progress. Click on the pretty picture to get started.
Instant Messenger works on the Buddy System. Just sign on, then get your buddies to sign on too. Each of you will have a screen name or two. That makes it easy to know when to send an instant message. Any time your buddy is on line, it shows up on your messenger.
Instant Messenger is a boon to writers. It is even a boon to scribblers. Using AOL Instant Messenger you can work together online with anyone, one paragraph at a time with your editor or fellow writer. Here's the way I go at it.
I believe you can get almost as much out of the experience as they did if we work together with AOL's Instant Messenger.Before I begin working with a writer I suggest they bring up the file they want to work with in their word processor. Then they can copy the bit they want to work with by highlighting it and do a Control C to copy it. Next, switch back to Instant Messenger and do a Control V to paste it in place, and hit return. The whole passage will be on the board for the other party.
We can go through the paragraph(s) together, making notes as we go. "This is good." "This is weak." "let's change this to --"
And the writer on the other side might ask, "That's great, but I want to learn to write, so WHY did you change that the way you did?"
Being able to ask the question, see the response and ask another question or two, or three, is the best part of this experience. Me, your editor or fellow writer will be able to bring their talent to bear on your material with specialized help that is uplifting. Once you know why something works in YOUR writing in a way you can actually see is better then you are ready to try applying the lessons on your own.
My screen name is talewins.
Check it out. I am probably on line right now.
If not, write, or call me
at 1-501-243-0153
and I can get online.
Meanwhile, download Instant Messenger;
You'll be glad you did.
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