Technology or Analog? by Carol Harrison

                              

photo by Carol Harrison

Technology often scares me. Oh, I use my computer for word processing and Mr. Google to search for information. I have even shopped on line from time to time. I’ve also wasted time scrolling through Facebook to procrastinate doing other things on my to do list.I used to always type my projects directly into the computer word document but over the last few years have picked up a pen and put the words on paper before typing them. Why? I’m not sure. I type faster than I can write longhand. Yet sitting in my big comfy chair with the sun shining in the large patio windows feels like a warm, safe space to journal or write blog posts in a notebook.

Maybe it would be clearer to say that using social media intimidates me. I don’t know the best way to use it to promote myself and my writing to potential readers. I do have a Facebook account and an Instagram one too. I even have a Twitter or X account but I don’t use it and rarely post on Instagram. My Facebook account started to keep in touch with friends and family. Some family posted news and photos on closed accounts and it helped keep us in touch.

When I began writing, I posted about any writing and even did several on line book launches that had a week of posts and photos along with an invite to a live video launch. The live part terrified me. I worried I couldn’t make it happen and yet I set myself a goal to try. I think they worked out.

Then a writer friend encouraged some of us to take one week and post something unrelated to selling our books. It should be fun and inspirational posts. She wanted us to try and connect with potential readers without a sales pitch. I took up her challenge. After the week finished, I continued posting three times a week. Monday I posted a photo and inspirational post to go with it. Wednesdays I posted creative endeavours of friends and family to encourage them and share their work with any followers I had. Finally, on Fridays I decided to try something fun. I began posting photos of my bear, Patches, doing different things and invited people to caption the photo or use it for a creative prompt or just enjoy it. I chose the teddy bear because I don’t have a pet that might offer a variety of poses.

As time passed, the Monday and Wednesday posts disappeared. Friday Patches posts have continued. Now when memories bring up some of the inspirational posts from back then, I share them again. Maybe it’s time to reinstate them and come up with some new ones.

But, although I do use Facebook a bit and word documents, updating and maintaining my own webpage is beyond my skill level. I need to have someone more tech savvy help me or rather implement the changes I need. Right now that hasn’t happened for way too long leaving an outdated web page.

Technology or analog? I wouldn’t want to give up my smartphone or laptop even though the computer at times frustrates or overwhelms me. I don’t use either to their full capacity. There is something about sitting with pen and paper to jot down thoughts. But to interact with more potential readers, Facebook has its place. Now I just need to get past my phobia surrounding using technology and surrounding myself with others who know more than me about using social media and updating my website.

 

Carol Harrison feels like social media and technology can be frightening things but necessary ones. She lives in Saskatoon, SK and is grateful for help from family unafraid of pushing a wrong button.

Technology by Lorilee Guenter

Mister Bert's Adventure by Lorilee Guenter

Technology offers many tools for writers and authors. I find it has many drawbacks as well. I choose between them based on a number of criteria, mostly though it comes down to preference. I prefer analog for some tasks, and I prefer digital for some tasks. Some things require technology.

I write 99% of my first draft long hand, including this post. The weight of the pen in hand and the sound of the nib travelling across the page are sensory details I don't want to give up. They tell my brain it's time to write. I also keep a journal, a prayer journal, and a travel journal. My travel journal is written from two points of view. I write my thoughts then I print an "Adventures Log" from the point of view of a small stuffed koala called Mister Bert. In this way my journal is both a record and a story prompt.

Subsequent drafts of writing are typed, printed and revised longhand. I just don't like staring at a screen for hours. I will edit small pieces without reprinting them but the majority of my work gets printed for revision and for a hard copy reference. 

Technology offers many tools for artists. I have scrapbooked parts of our family traditions, travels, and general life. Most often I used digital tools to create the pages, then print some of them. The key reason I create a scrapbook page is to tell the story with words and images. As long as they are accessible by family they can count as finished in digital form. I would like to print more of them so we can hold the books in hand, but for now I'm happy having them done

For my other art, I need physical tools: pens, pencils, and paint. I use a variety of materials as my base such as: wood, paper, tea bags, and canvases. There's no digital replacement for the art I create.

Digital or analog, I find a place for the tools offered by both mediums. Digital is easier to share. Analog gives tactile feedback. I don't want to pick just one. 

Lorilee Guenter is a Saskatoon, SK based writer and artist. She bridges the gap between Digital and analog technologies by using both. She writes a Substack each Friday.

Pigeons Versus Substack by Michelle Joy Teigrob

 

Sometimes I wish I lived in the days when communication over long distances involved quietly scratching a note on a scrap of paper and attaching it to the skinny leg of a homing pigeon. After checking that the note was secure, you’d lean your head back while the pigeon flapped upwards.

As you shielded your eyes against the sun’s brilliance and a light breeze brushed your cheek, you’d watch your bird head to the sky. You’d clasp your hands together, praying said bird and the note made it to their destination a few miles away by nightfall.

Now, I can take all of 30 seconds to tap a note on my phone or computer. I can trust that the note will arrive at its destination thousands of miles across country or world in the same amount of time – 30 seconds give or take a few.

I joined Substack not too long ago after fellow InScribe member, Alan Anderson, introduced me to it. A long foregoer of all things social media, I decided to make the leap after gathering that this platform is designed especially for writers who enjoy long-form material (I realize that isn’t necessarily always the case and the platform is evolving, but that’s the story I went with).

At first, I felt very anxious about Substack – as all social media tends to make me. I think it’s the wildness of it all. Like the old west, social media seems to be all about every person for herself. Rules and structure appear very minimal. And there’s a lot of noise. Hundreds of voices constantly call, read me, read me, look at me, listen to me.

Social media has always held a very different vibe from what I imagine a quiet afternoon attaching a note to a homing pigeon would be like.

But I prayed, “Lord, if I’m supposed to be on Substack, guide me and give me peace.”

And then I took a step.

And another step.

I decided that even if the system itself appeared to have little structure and rules, I could create my own. I came up with a simple, loosely structured, daily routine for sharing and engaging.

I also very quickly discovered that, based on the folks I connected with initially, the platform can be full of lovely, encouraging people! I have enjoyed more than a few deep and wonderful conversations and connections that I would never have imagined possible – especially on social media.

I look forward to scrolling through the Substack notes, an astonishing number of them Bible-aligned, encouraging, convicting, and life-giving.

Substack may not always be the platform for me. But, for right now, I’m trusting it’s where I need to be with respect to my writing ministry.

Do I still long for the days of communication over long distances when all I needed was a calm sunlit afternoon, a bird, and a writing utensil?

Of course.

But I wasn’t born in those days.

For that reason, I need to make the most of what I’ve been given now. I need to redeem the time, while I still have it.

Thus, for now at least, Substack it is.

Michelle Joy Teigrob blogs on Substack and at michellejoybooks.ca. Her mission is to share true stories and articles from a heart seared by this message after being shattered by the deaths of 3 sisters: In the end, one thing will remain above all.

Crickets by Peggianne Wright

 

Photo credit: P. Wright 2026

Ouch! I could almost feel the physical pain as I hit the proverbial brick wall.

I doubt if there's a single writer in the universe who hasn't at one time or another gotten stuck. Certainly, the level of stuck might vary depending on the circumstance. For instance, I recently sat down to write a piece that was to be focused on a particular monthly prompt. I can honestly say that over my entire writing career, my backspace key and delete buttons have never had the workouts they've experienced in these last couple of weeks. I'm sure I heard one of them scream, "Uncle!".

Sitting in front of the blank screen with just the topic written at the top, I began to go bleary-eyed. Over, and over, and over I read that blurb. Waiting for the "pop" of the light bulb. Crickets.

As I do each time I sit down to write, I say a quick prayer asking for direction, guidance, and purpose. Maybe I didn't focus the words correctly. Maybe God was busy just then. Maybe my heart wasn't in the right space. Maybe .... there were no words in my head!

Generally, I'm a pretty wordy person when I write. But wow, it's like the tap was turned off and the watermain completely dried up. Nothing.

Each attempt I made, I'd tell myself, "leave it for now" believing that, as my English teacher once said, "Inspiration will hit at the most unreasonable times so be ready." Ha, still a blank.

As I sat and stared at my four-legged colleagues, all casually lounging in their "work spaces", I'd wait, hoping for words or phrases to pop into my head. Oh...maybe this sentence. Nope, delete.

A quick glance at the internet. What to do for writer's block. Really? Change your font. Seriously? Still nothing.

My conclusion. There will be times when we simply cannot find the words to write. And, when that time comes, write the words that do flow. It may not be the piece you can submit to your group or publisher, but you've still written something.

While I have long held the belief that writing to a hard prompt is a learning experience, I have now realized that when we acknowledge that we may not be equipped to write on every topic, we'll now understand and accept the crickets.

Peggianne Wright is a published author and is the founder of the pet parent ministry Paws To Pray, blending her passion for the Lord and all-things-K9 to form this unique, faith-based community. Peggianne is an ardent Bible study student, devoted dog mom, wife of 44 years, and lover of music. Her blogs Spiritual Scribbles and Fur-Kid Fanatics can be found on her website www.PawsToPray.ca and you can follow her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PawsToPray/ and on IG @Sister_In_Prayer.