How My Phone Changed My Life

Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration. However, my new smart phone has made a huge difference in the way that I conduct the business end of my writing. Previously, I needed to find a computer to do all of my online promotions, which is fine when I'm at home. But I found that this summer when I was travelling, it was very difficult to do all the things I needed to do.

Then I got a new smart phone. (I bought a Samsung Galaxy SIII on the recommendation of my son-in-law and several people who worked at the store. I almost went with an iPhone, but I chose this one for its larger screen.) On our last trip I was able to check my emails on the road and keep up with all my correspondence in a timely fashion. There was no longer the stress of having to 'rush' through my online tasks while in the hotel room, either late at night or early in the morning.

Of course, maneuvering around on the smaller screen took some getting used to. Each online site also has its own set of differences. However, I'm now managing to do most things on my phone that I would normally do on a computer, except for actually posting on my blog like I am now. (I could probably do this, too, but typing on the screen isn't as convenient.)

I'm finding that the convenience isn't limited to traveling, however. I'm able to quickly check and eliminate emails, facebook notifications, etc. while waiting in a restaurant, at an appointment, or standing in line to pay for my groceries. I know what you're thinking... I'm becoming one of those people whose eyes are always focused on their device. I hope this isn't the case, since I find it kind of rude when people are constantly texting while trying to interact with a real human being. Trust me. When I'm having a conversation, I'm not trying to check emails at the same time!

What I am finding is that it is giving me more time to actually write when I sit down at my computer. Before, it would take my a minimum of an hour to go through all my emails, notifications, and do my online 'stuff'. Sometimes this would stretch into three hours or more. Now that time is literally cut in half and I can focus on more specific promotional tasks, or do what I really want to be doing, which is writing.

Technology has made such an impact on the way writers conduct themselves. I started my writing career with a pen and a notebook, graduating to a typewriter when I borrowed one from my mother. Getting my first computer back in the mid-nineties was a huge step forward, as was access to high speed internet for research and marketing. My new phone is just another step along the way in this ever evolving journey as an author.

What recent advancements have changed the way you do things?