From holiday wish lists to turkey wishbones, we'll soon be entering the season of wishful thinking. What is the wish that tops your list? If it's writing a novel, it will take more than wishing to make it so.
Fortunately, November is the month for you! It's National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), when writers everywhere clear space in their calendars to write a novel in a month. The goal is to have 50,000 words written by November 30--and no one ever said they have to be GOOD words! The process is simple. Starting November 1, just get your story down on paper (or computer file) and out of your head. On November 30 (or earlier, for you overachievers out there), submit your finished oeuvre to nanowrimo.com. While no human will read your work, the word count will be checked robotically, and if you've achieved 50,000 words, you're declared a winner! The prize is your own sense of accomplishment . . . and perhaps the merest hint of self-righteous superiority to those who wasted their time on less worthy activities, like sleeping and showering.
Founder Chris Baty says that November is the ideal month for such a creative endeavor, because the weather is often lousy and many workers get a nice fat four-day weekend toward the end of the month. So sign up anytime at NaNoWriMo.com (it's free) to get access to some fun forums, tips, and encouragement. There are even some local in-person gatherings happening in Coeur d'Alene, Moscow, Priest River, and other Idaho locales. Click on the "NaNo Near You" tab for more info on local events.
Next, inform your nearest and dearest what you're up to, so that they won't feel abandoned and may even agree to deliver the snack of your choice to your writing lair at regular intervals. If you're feeling extra-committed, try to arrange for somebody else to cook the Thanksgiving dinner this year, so that you can keep writing right up until the moment the turkey hits the table. (True, you might miss out on some of Uncle Harry's jokes--but hey, you've heard them all before anyway.)
And on November 1, start writing. Best of luck! And whether or not you're participating in NaNoWriMo this month, please check in and let us know how your writing is going. We'd love to hear from you.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
TGIF: Happy Halloween & What's Happening
It's Friday again, time to share what is going on in the writing field in our neck of the woods.
Kudos to Jennifer L.
Jennifer Lamont Leo, one of our favorite Writing North Idaho bloggers, was recently named as the 2nd place winner in the Novel Category of the Idaho Writer's League annual writing contest. According to Jennifer, her book, A Most Remarkable Girl, is a romantic comedy set in Chicago during the Roaring Twenties. The novel-in-progress is the first in a trilogy of Prohibition-era Chicago novels she has planned. Quite fittingly, Jennifer forwarded this copy of the graphic she used for inspiration from Chicago, where she is currently visiting family. Congratulations Jennifer! We can't wait to meet your charming flapper!
This evening, author Sheila Kelly, who was raised in Spokane, visits from Seattle to present her book, Treadwell Gold: An Alaska Saga of Riches and Ruin.
Friday, October 29, 7:00 pm.
Aunties Bookstore, Spokane
Perennial Northwest favorite, humorist Patrick F. McManus will present his latest book, The Huckleberry Murders: A Sheriff Bo Tully Mystery. You're always in for a treat when Mr. McManus is in front of a crowd.
Wednesday, November 3, 7:00 pm.
Aunties Bookstore, Spokane
Thursday, November 4, 7:00 pm.
Aunties Bookstore, Spokane
The Pend Oreille Playhouse Community Theatre hosts an Open Mic event on the first Friday of every month. Sing a song, play an instrument, share a story or poem - or just watch the stars come out!
Friday, November 5, 7:00 pm.; Admission $2
Pend Orielle Playhouse Community Theatre
240 N. Union Avenue, Newport, WA
Kudos to Jennifer L.
Jennifer Lamont Leo, one of our favorite Writing North Idaho bloggers, was recently named as the 2nd place winner in the Novel Category of the Idaho Writer's League annual writing contest. According to Jennifer, her book, A Most Remarkable Girl, is a romantic comedy set in Chicago during the Roaring Twenties. The novel-in-progress is the first in a trilogy of Prohibition-era Chicago novels she has planned. Quite fittingly, Jennifer forwarded this copy of the graphic she used for inspiration from Chicago, where she is currently visiting family. Congratulations Jennifer! We can't wait to meet your charming flapper!
October 29
Author Sheila KellyThis evening, author Sheila Kelly, who was raised in Spokane, visits from Seattle to present her book, Treadwell Gold: An Alaska Saga of Riches and Ruin.
Friday, October 29, 7:00 pm.
Aunties Bookstore, Spokane
October 31
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
The Witches' Spell
Act IV, Scene 1, 10-19; 35-38 from Macbeth (1606) by William Shakespeare
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and caldron bubble.
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the caldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blind-worms sting,
Lizard's leg and owlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and caldron bubble.
Cool it with a baboon's blood,
Then the charm is firm and good.
November 1
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
The Witches' Spell
Act IV, Scene 1, 10-19; 35-38 from Macbeth (1606) by William Shakespeare
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and caldron bubble.
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the caldron boil and bake;
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork and blind-worms sting,
Lizard's leg and owlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and caldron bubble.
Cool it with a baboon's blood,
Then the charm is firm and good.
November 1
Calypsos Coffee Open Mic
Consider heading over to Calypsos Coffee in Coeur d'Alene to check out their Open Mic night this coming Monday, or any Monday evening. If you are interested in sharing your words, just sign up online, or stop by to check it out.
Calypsos Coffee, Coeur d'Alene; http://www.calypsoscoffee.com/
Monday, November 1, 6:00-9:00 pm.
Consider heading over to Calypsos Coffee in Coeur d'Alene to check out their Open Mic night this coming Monday, or any Monday evening. If you are interested in sharing your words, just sign up online, or stop by to check it out.
Calypsos Coffee, Coeur d'Alene; http://www.calypsoscoffee.com/
Monday, November 1, 6:00-9:00 pm.
November 3
Humorist Patrick McManusPerennial Northwest favorite, humorist Patrick F. McManus will present his latest book, The Huckleberry Murders: A Sheriff Bo Tully Mystery. You're always in for a treat when Mr. McManus is in front of a crowd.
Wednesday, November 3, 7:00 pm.
Aunties Bookstore, Spokane
November 4
Author Catherine Gildiner
Author Catherine Gildiner visits from Toronto to present her latest memoir, After the Falls; Coming of Age in the Sixties.Thursday, November 4, 7:00 pm.
Aunties Bookstore, Spokane
November 5
Pend Oreille Playhouse Open MicThe Pend Oreille Playhouse Community Theatre hosts an Open Mic event on the first Friday of every month. Sing a song, play an instrument, share a story or poem - or just watch the stars come out!
Friday, November 5, 7:00 pm.; Admission $2
Pend Orielle Playhouse Community Theatre
240 N. Union Avenue, Newport, WA
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Don't Get it Right - Get it Written
Sounds like she read my last blog!
The woman on this video, Marilyn Horowitz, is an award-winning New York University professor, producer, screenwriter, and New York City-based writing coach; and the founder of the Horowitz Center for Screenwriting. She is the author of five books, including How to Write a Screenplay in 10 Weeks, and The Four Magic Questions of Screenwriting. She is the creator of The Horowitz System, a revolutionary visual writing system; and is well known for sharing her mantra with students: Don't get it right - Get it written.
Her motto sounds a lot like one of my mother's pet sayings, "Do something, even if it's wrong." Although both sayings sound kind of counterproductive to me, I guess the basic idea is that any action is better than no action - and that's good advice - especially for us writers.
Horowitz says her mission is to help writers get started, and towards that end, she offers writing tips, classes, and workshops through various online websites and blogs. Her screenplay tips can be found at: http://www.screenwritingtips.com/, and you can follow her blog, Marilyn's Movie Candy, at: http://www.marilynhorowitz.blogspot.com/.
The Four Magic Questions of Screenwriting
Horowitz's latest book, The Four Magic Questions of Screenwriting, was published in May 2010. According to the book's synopsis: This book will end the agony that plagues screenwriters of all levels-how to structure a script. This revolutionary technique helps writers structure, write, and rewrite scripts with ease. By asking your characters these four simple questions, you will be able to outline your screenplay like magic. This method has been taught at New York University for over ten years, and has helped hundreds of writers create their screenplays fast. The book sells for $22.76 on Amazon.
Free Screenwriting Class
From another blog, Horowitz offers a free screenwriting class, "...that will help you discover, structure, write, and rewrite an industry-ready screenplay in record time." She offers a FREE 20-minute class to help you define your concept whether you're writing a novel, screenplay or non-fiction book or play. A 15-minute consultation with Horowitz will follow in which she will review your project and help you "tweak it" so it is the story you want to tell and is commercially viable. http://www.finaldraftscript.blogspot.com/.
Four Questions of Screenwriting Seminar
Horowitz is also offering a Four Questions of Screenwriting online seminar on Thursday, October 28, from 6:30 - 9:00 PM. The cost is $59.95. She promises, "You will learn the insider secrets to starting a market-ready movie script in fewer drafts." http://www.showbizsoftware.com/The_Four_Magic_Questions_of_Screenwriting_p/2237.htm.
I'm thinking of trying her free screenwriting class and possibly Thursday's seminar. Let me know if any of you check out these online offerings.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Shilly-Shallying Screenwriter
While on vacation in Montana in 2008, I came across a true story that struck me so powerfully I could not stop thinking about it. The story played in my mind over and over, almost like a movie. And the more I thought about it, I realized it was a movie, and that I had to write it.
Although I was juggling all the writing projects I could handle at the time, I jumped into screenwriting with all the enthusiasm of a greenhorn. I purchased a couple of books; attended several screenwriting workshops; joined Northwest Independent Film & Video Entertainment Society (kNIFVES), a film and video support organization; and invested in the latest screenwriting computer program.
Once I knew just enough to be dangerous, I added the word "Screenwriter" to a few business cards I designed on my PC and took off to do some interviews and research for the blockbuster movie that continued its award-winning run in my head.
Early in 2009 I entered a kNIFVES screenwriting contest just for practice before my big "breakout" project. I turned a piece I had written for an Idaho Magazine fiction contest into a 17-page screenplay. After more hours than I care to admit, I completed my "short" (each page in a screenplay converts into roughly one minute of screen time) with hopeful expectations.
A couple of months later I learned I didn't place. That didn't come as a total shock, but my original bravado had cooled and I found I was suddenly hesitant to call myself a screenwriter with such cavalier abandon. Procrastination became my game; and as everyday deadlines took their toll, my Screenwriter business cards found themselves collecting dust in the back of a drawer.
Then just a few months ago, I received a call informing me kNIFVES was applying for a grant to produce Root Bound, the screenplay I had written for their 2009 contest. Ecstatic, my dream of becoming a screenwriter flickered anew. All I had to do was wait until the middle of October!
Anxious to hear whether or not the grant had come though I attended a kNIFVES meeting in Spokane just a couple of weeks ago. No grant news, but the owner of a Los Angeles production company based in Spokane asked me what I was working on. For some inspired reason I shared my Montana story.
As I related the tale, I felt the tingle of passion spread through me as life blazed once again for the cinematographic masterpiece that used to keep me awake at night.
These days I close the door on my office each morning and tell my husband not to bother me. SCREENWRITER AT WORK! And this time I am unwavering in my determination to see the project through to completion.
Oh, and since receiving news that kNIFVES received the grant to produce my screenplay I just dug out those yellowing Screenwriter business cards - they're going back into circulation.
Notable Quotes
The habit of always putting off an experience until you can afford it, or until the time is right, or until you know how to do it is one of the greatest burglars of joy. Be deliberate, but once you've made up your mind - jump in. Charles R. Swindoll
kNIFVES
kNIFVES is dedicated to providing an open forum to all Inland Northwest Film, Video and Live Entertainment professionals, amateurs and enthusiasts to promote knowledge, education, training and networking. Whether you are a budding screenwriter like me or already have some media credits, you'll find enthusiasm and support for your project at kNIFVES. Check them out at http://www.knifves.org/.
Although I was juggling all the writing projects I could handle at the time, I jumped into screenwriting with all the enthusiasm of a greenhorn. I purchased a couple of books; attended several screenwriting workshops; joined Northwest Independent Film & Video Entertainment Society (kNIFVES), a film and video support organization; and invested in the latest screenwriting computer program.
Once I knew just enough to be dangerous, I added the word "Screenwriter" to a few business cards I designed on my PC and took off to do some interviews and research for the blockbuster movie that continued its award-winning run in my head.
Early in 2009 I entered a kNIFVES screenwriting contest just for practice before my big "breakout" project. I turned a piece I had written for an Idaho Magazine fiction contest into a 17-page screenplay. After more hours than I care to admit, I completed my "short" (each page in a screenplay converts into roughly one minute of screen time) with hopeful expectations.
A couple of months later I learned I didn't place. That didn't come as a total shock, but my original bravado had cooled and I found I was suddenly hesitant to call myself a screenwriter with such cavalier abandon. Procrastination became my game; and as everyday deadlines took their toll, my Screenwriter business cards found themselves collecting dust in the back of a drawer.
Then just a few months ago, I received a call informing me kNIFVES was applying for a grant to produce Root Bound, the screenplay I had written for their 2009 contest. Ecstatic, my dream of becoming a screenwriter flickered anew. All I had to do was wait until the middle of October!
Anxious to hear whether or not the grant had come though I attended a kNIFVES meeting in Spokane just a couple of weeks ago. No grant news, but the owner of a Los Angeles production company based in Spokane asked me what I was working on. For some inspired reason I shared my Montana story.
As I related the tale, I felt the tingle of passion spread through me as life blazed once again for the cinematographic masterpiece that used to keep me awake at night.
These days I close the door on my office each morning and tell my husband not to bother me. SCREENWRITER AT WORK! And this time I am unwavering in my determination to see the project through to completion.
Oh, and since receiving news that kNIFVES received the grant to produce my screenplay I just dug out those yellowing Screenwriter business cards - they're going back into circulation.
Notable Quotes
The habit of always putting off an experience until you can afford it, or until the time is right, or until you know how to do it is one of the greatest burglars of joy. Be deliberate, but once you've made up your mind - jump in. Charles R. Swindoll
kNIFVES
kNIFVES is dedicated to providing an open forum to all Inland Northwest Film, Video and Live Entertainment professionals, amateurs and enthusiasts to promote knowledge, education, training and networking. Whether you are a budding screenwriter like me or already have some media credits, you'll find enthusiasm and support for your project at kNIFVES. Check them out at http://www.knifves.org/.
Friday, October 22, 2010
TGIF: Events and an Announcement
Plenty of interesting writing-related events are happening this weekend and the coming week, but first I have an announcement regarding our own Mary Jane Honegger, a regular Writing North Idaho contributor.
As part of their program to advance the filmmaking workforce in Idaho, the Idaho Film Office in Boise recently awarded the KNIFVES (Northwest Independent Film & Video Entertainment Society) Organization a grant to produce Mary Jane’s screenplay Root Bound. The concept of the film addresses complications that arise when a young professional denies his Idaho roots when he is hired by a national television show. The pre-production, filming, and post-production process of Root Bound will be used as a series of learning opportunities for members of the KNIFVES group. Pre-production will begin the spring of 2011 and filming will take place during the summer.
Congratulations to Mary Jane on the production of her first screenplay, and to KNIFVES on their grant award!
And now, following are several upcoming events you may want to check out:
This evening, October 22, Shawn Underwood will be signing copies of her travel memoir, Mommy, Are We French Yet? at Aunties Bookstore.
Other book signings this weekend at Aunties include John Bladek signing his book Roll Up the Streets!, and Rich Faletto signing his book Four-Eleven, both on Saturday.
On Sunday, Portland author Dana Haynes presents his suspense novel, Crashers, at Aunties.
On Monday evening, Jane Porter will present her latest release, She’s Gone Country, also at Aunties.
Also Monday evening, poet and author Philip Burgess will tell a story of Western settlement in his presentation Penny Post Cards – Homesteading Women, at the Coeur d’Alene Library.
Check the times, locations, and other details of these events on the Events page of this blog.
As part of their program to advance the filmmaking workforce in Idaho, the Idaho Film Office in Boise recently awarded the KNIFVES (Northwest Independent Film & Video Entertainment Society) Organization a grant to produce Mary Jane’s screenplay Root Bound. The concept of the film addresses complications that arise when a young professional denies his Idaho roots when he is hired by a national television show. The pre-production, filming, and post-production process of Root Bound will be used as a series of learning opportunities for members of the KNIFVES group. Pre-production will begin the spring of 2011 and filming will take place during the summer.
Congratulations to Mary Jane on the production of her first screenplay, and to KNIFVES on their grant award!
And now, following are several upcoming events you may want to check out:
This evening, October 22, Shawn Underwood will be signing copies of her travel memoir, Mommy, Are We French Yet? at Aunties Bookstore.
Other book signings this weekend at Aunties include John Bladek signing his book Roll Up the Streets!, and Rich Faletto signing his book Four-Eleven, both on Saturday.
On Sunday, Portland author Dana Haynes presents his suspense novel, Crashers, at Aunties.
On Monday evening, Jane Porter will present her latest release, She’s Gone Country, also at Aunties.
Also Monday evening, poet and author Philip Burgess will tell a story of Western settlement in his presentation Penny Post Cards – Homesteading Women, at the Coeur d’Alene Library.
Check the times, locations, and other details of these events on the Events page of this blog.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
BEYOND THIS BLOG: The First and "Fourmost" Elements to Include on Your Website
Here's some useful information from bookhitch.com for authors and writers who have websites, or are thinking about creating their own website.
______________________
In this day and age, web pages are old news - but does your author website live up to expectations? Is it doing all it can to market your books? Check out these four must-haves for any author's web page.
1) Book details. Showing thumbnail images of your covers helps to establish visual recognition if viewers see your book elsewhere. Short summaries of your books will give your readers the gist of each of them and allow them to decide whether they are interested or not. Lining them up side by side on the same page can introduce readers to your other titles if they're not familiar with all of them. Most importantly, make sure you provide links to where all of your books can be purchased online!
2) Book reviews and excerpts. There's no better place for tooting your own horn than your website. Here you can unabashedly boast by posting the most favorable and full-of-praise book reviews you've received in their entirety, or by highlighting blurbs from other authors. For a potential reader teetering on the fence about whether they will enjoy your book or not, these reviews can be very convincing. Another way to hook a potential reader is by giving them an excerpt, whether it be from the climax of your book, or the introduction to a main character, or even the whole first chapter. Chances are, once they start reading, they won't want to stop. For readers who visit your web page because they are somewhat interested in your books, these items will help to seal the deal.
3) Special features. Give your readers access to additional content online, which will make them feel privileged to be your fans. Think the B-side of a DVD. The possibilities of what can be featured online are essentially limitless, but here are a few suggestions of what to include: illustrations or pictures from your book, character bios and back stories (especially if you write a series in which they recur), or a downloadable audio recording of you reading a passage from the book. You can link to message boards for your fans to discuss your work and ask you questions - this is a simple way to find out what they liked and didn't like, and to get suggestions for your current writing. If your genre is more specialized, like nonfiction, you can post links to some of your research, or if you've written a "how to" book, you can film yourself demonstrating. Children's books authors can have related activities on their website, such as printable coloring pages of book illustrations. And of course, if you have a book video, it belongs front and center!
4) Author Info. That's you! If your readers visit your web page, they probably want to find out more about you as a person! Give them more a more detailed bio than they would find on the back cover of your book, and consider rotating quirky questions (perhaps posed by fans on your message boards) like "What was your first car?" or "Who's your favorite author?" under a "Get to Know Me" section of your website. And if you blog, post the link so that your interested readers can follow it! Keep your readers up-to-date with the latest news about you and your books - post any interviews or press releases, and tell them about any promotional events you have coming up. A mailing list that your readers can sign up for will also help to keep them informed about your events, which can help to generate more support at them. Give your readers a place to contact you via email, snail mail, or both. You'll be able to receive feedback, comments, and questions from them - but of course be wary of the lack of privacy on the good old World Wide Web; you may want to get an email address or P.O. Box to be used just for your author correspondence.
_______________________________
This article written by the editors of bookhitch.com for the bookhitch.com newsletter, reprinted with permission.
______________________
In this day and age, web pages are old news - but does your author website live up to expectations? Is it doing all it can to market your books? Check out these four must-haves for any author's web page.
1) Book details. Showing thumbnail images of your covers helps to establish visual recognition if viewers see your book elsewhere. Short summaries of your books will give your readers the gist of each of them and allow them to decide whether they are interested or not. Lining them up side by side on the same page can introduce readers to your other titles if they're not familiar with all of them. Most importantly, make sure you provide links to where all of your books can be purchased online!
2) Book reviews and excerpts. There's no better place for tooting your own horn than your website. Here you can unabashedly boast by posting the most favorable and full-of-praise book reviews you've received in their entirety, or by highlighting blurbs from other authors. For a potential reader teetering on the fence about whether they will enjoy your book or not, these reviews can be very convincing. Another way to hook a potential reader is by giving them an excerpt, whether it be from the climax of your book, or the introduction to a main character, or even the whole first chapter. Chances are, once they start reading, they won't want to stop. For readers who visit your web page because they are somewhat interested in your books, these items will help to seal the deal.
3) Special features. Give your readers access to additional content online, which will make them feel privileged to be your fans. Think the B-side of a DVD. The possibilities of what can be featured online are essentially limitless, but here are a few suggestions of what to include: illustrations or pictures from your book, character bios and back stories (especially if you write a series in which they recur), or a downloadable audio recording of you reading a passage from the book. You can link to message boards for your fans to discuss your work and ask you questions - this is a simple way to find out what they liked and didn't like, and to get suggestions for your current writing. If your genre is more specialized, like nonfiction, you can post links to some of your research, or if you've written a "how to" book, you can film yourself demonstrating. Children's books authors can have related activities on their website, such as printable coloring pages of book illustrations. And of course, if you have a book video, it belongs front and center!
4) Author Info. That's you! If your readers visit your web page, they probably want to find out more about you as a person! Give them more a more detailed bio than they would find on the back cover of your book, and consider rotating quirky questions (perhaps posed by fans on your message boards) like "What was your first car?" or "Who's your favorite author?" under a "Get to Know Me" section of your website. And if you blog, post the link so that your interested readers can follow it! Keep your readers up-to-date with the latest news about you and your books - post any interviews or press releases, and tell them about any promotional events you have coming up. A mailing list that your readers can sign up for will also help to keep them informed about your events, which can help to generate more support at them. Give your readers a place to contact you via email, snail mail, or both. You'll be able to receive feedback, comments, and questions from them - but of course be wary of the lack of privacy on the good old World Wide Web; you may want to get an email address or P.O. Box to be used just for your author correspondence.
_______________________________
This article written by the editors of bookhitch.com for the bookhitch.com newsletter, reprinted with permission.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Kindle for PC: I'm Lovin' it!
Earlier this summer our son called to tell me a fellow was giving away free goats along Highway 2. Free Goats? Sure. As someone who once owned two adorable pygmy goats, I knew, in this case, free didn’t exactly mean FREE. It meant a continuous supply of alfalfa pellets and, all too often, treks around our acreage rattling a can of those pellets to bribe the little rascals to return home after ANOTHER escape, followed by ANOTHER fence repair.
Free is seldom free.
But recently I discovered something truly free. This may be old news to some, but if not, you might find it useful, and fun.
A week or so ago, while browsing the ebook section of Amazon.com, I noticed a link in the right column that read Available on your PC. So I checked it out, wondering how I could read Amazon’s ebooks without a Kindle.
With digital publishing and ebooks growing in popularity, folks can choose from a variety of gadgets for downloading and reading ebooks. Barnes & Noble offers the Nook. Amazon offers the Kindle. Apple offers the Ipad. And there are others. But, priced anywhere from $139 to $499 and up, I’m not ready to lay down my money for one. (Not to mention the fact that I am still working through a stack of print books on my side table.) But, at times, browsing through an ebook on my laptop, which is fairly small and lightweight, would be handy.
Because Kindle readers begin at $139, I guessed the Kindle for PC would cost a few dollars. Instead, it surprised me to find that Amazon does not charge for the program.
So I clicked a few buttons and downloaded the program and it was ready to receive ebooks. I downloaded sample chapters of a book and tested it. I found that I could make notes in the sidebar as I read, highlight words and sentences, adjust font size, scroll through the book both vertically and horizontally, and change the color of the book's pages. Wow. And I’m sure there are other tricks I have not yet discovered.
So far I have purchased one ebook, a mystery for $2.99. But even if I don’t use it for buying many books, it is a great place to download sample chapters to read at my leisure and discover new books and writers, rather than paging through Amazon’s, sometimes clumsy, Search Inside tool.
And, although you might argue that Kindle for PC is not really free because it is a platform for purchasing ebooks from Amazon, to me, it is certainly “more free” than goats.
Free is seldom free.
But recently I discovered something truly free. This may be old news to some, but if not, you might find it useful, and fun.
A week or so ago, while browsing the ebook section of Amazon.com, I noticed a link in the right column that read Available on your PC. So I checked it out, wondering how I could read Amazon’s ebooks without a Kindle.
With digital publishing and ebooks growing in popularity, folks can choose from a variety of gadgets for downloading and reading ebooks. Barnes & Noble offers the Nook. Amazon offers the Kindle. Apple offers the Ipad. And there are others. But, priced anywhere from $139 to $499 and up, I’m not ready to lay down my money for one. (Not to mention the fact that I am still working through a stack of print books on my side table.) But, at times, browsing through an ebook on my laptop, which is fairly small and lightweight, would be handy.
Because Kindle readers begin at $139, I guessed the Kindle for PC would cost a few dollars. Instead, it surprised me to find that Amazon does not charge for the program.
So I clicked a few buttons and downloaded the program and it was ready to receive ebooks. I downloaded sample chapters of a book and tested it. I found that I could make notes in the sidebar as I read, highlight words and sentences, adjust font size, scroll through the book both vertically and horizontally, and change the color of the book's pages. Wow. And I’m sure there are other tricks I have not yet discovered.
So far I have purchased one ebook, a mystery for $2.99. But even if I don’t use it for buying many books, it is a great place to download sample chapters to read at my leisure and discover new books and writers, rather than paging through Amazon’s, sometimes clumsy, Search Inside tool.
And, although you might argue that Kindle for PC is not really free because it is a platform for purchasing ebooks from Amazon, to me, it is certainly “more free” than goats.
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