18 Comments

My favorite writing tool is you Joyce. Since we spend time together in conversation I often say something and it ends up in one of your posts or articles. Like the article you wrote on our friendship sprinkled with my cheering for your writing, art and now substack. That’s why I’ve had you on twice (to inspire others to use their talents )on my PeacePodcast.org Thank you for asking.

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Barbara your best writing tool is your voice. You are Ms. Enthusiasm, Ms. Peace (sometimes Peace Barbie), Ms. Encouragement. You should just record yourself on PeacePodcast.

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Jan 18Liked by Joyce Wycoff

I have Libre Office, which is a 'fork' or version of Apache Open Office. I have Zotero added into my Write app, but have not made use of is functions in that app yet. I do most of my writing directly into SubStack at present.

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Thanks! I write directly to Scrivener but now I can pick up chunks from Zotero where appropriate. It seems to help me to be able to edit on two platforms ... Scrivener and Substack ... I still find errors but it doesn't seem like as many.

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Jan 18Liked by Joyce Wycoff

Will have to look more at Scrivener. I was checking out various software for about a month while deciding where to plant my newsletter. I pasted in my first one from the word processor, then found SubStack to be easy, and I'm lazy. But what if I want to write a book? Then maybe Scrivener.

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I love Scrivener ... but it does have a bit of a learning curve. I probably only use 10-20% of it but I like it better than a word processor because it has a natural organization flow. I've set it up with my publishing calendar and a space for all those random ideas that pop up all too often.

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Learning new software is OK. I look for the likelihood that it'll continue to be supported, so I don't have to migrate all kinds of stuff to a new platform. ( Lazy kid. ) Imagine life without word processors!!!

But I can't get used to using AI for research yet. I did get one to do some drawings for me.

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Good post. Loved the Maria Feliz mural. Thanks.

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Thanks, Jeanine!

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Jan 17Liked by Joyce Wycoff

Floating gardens are amazingly concentrated for production. I like how they walled off those salamanders. But I wonder how they handle the mosquitos!!

I fired up Zotero a year ago when weedom began. It's pretty great for storing info and I haven't even scratched the surface of its ability to integrate into writing software.

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Good question ... I'll make a note to ask them when I get there.

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I don't know if it integrates ... if it does, I'd love to know about it. Just it's ability to bring some control the firehose of information makes me giddy.

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A fabulous video on the Floating Gardens of Xochimilco that I first visited with my parents when I was 18. Now, 50 years later, I think of returning as an Eco tourist with my husband.

Re research, Rumi wrote: "...the roads to Mecca are all different...

but there is only one goal ."

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great Rumi quote and I definitely want to go there ...

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My favorite tool is simply MS Word. I use an older version because I don't need all the new bells and whistles, just the basics. The reason I'm so (enthralled?) is that I used to use a typewriter and hated the idea of making corrections because sometimes it involved redoing an entire page. When computers came along, and word processors, I was ecstatic.

Maybe I'll check out Zolero, could be useful.

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Victor ... you get a lot of mileage out of MS Word!

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Jan 17Liked by Joyce Wycoff

LOL -- I just got the reference to 'screwdriver' and Zolero! :)

your curiosity and zest for life and creative expression always inspire me!

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I so love you being here.

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