So I was visiting my mum a few weeks ago, and showed her some photos from a friend’s Facebook account.
‘Her photos are taking up all the space on your phone,’ she said, with a note of annoyance.
I refrained from attempting an inadequate explanation of clouds, largely because I barely understand the concept myself, but mulled over the thought that for the first time in my life maybe I had a hint of understanding of 21st century technology. Or not. I am a self-confessed technophobe, or maybe it’s a lack of confidence, or maybe my brain isn’t wired that way. It wasn’t until the end of last year that I finally braved the world of Facebook.
And in me and my mum’s case, this is not a generational thing: I was taken aback when a while ago, she asked, ‘Have you got What’s App?’
‘What’s that?’ I utter, before I find myself customarily tuning out.
I obtained my first smart phone only a year ago, though loyally keep my old phone charged refusing to believe it is obsolete. I held out on email for long enough, preferring hand-written letters. Now I love email, although fear that’s fast becoming outdated. So it’s hashtag, twitter, emojis; speaking in symbols, or words of five or less. That was never really my thing.
But I am loving Facebook. It took a while, but I’m getting into the swing of things. It’s been a fascinating journey down memory lane, reconnecting with faces from the past. And what an amazing bunch of people; political activists, musicians, community leaders, politicians, support workers, artists, parents, carers, teachers, nurses, writers… Really just so much to inspire.
And so much information, everywhere, enough to send your head into a spin. For a while I opt into the fast-paced world of scrolling, and then I back out, open the faithful Word for Windows, and in the safety of my small writing room, polish and edit.
‘Do you think this one might have an ending?’ my primary school teacher once said, since every story I wrote was pages and pages long, never with an ending as I always ran out of time. I started writing fiction again as an adult whilst working in South Africa, with pen and paper until I borrowed a typewriter on my return to the UK. In 2005 I purchased my first computer and never looked back. What would I do without the delete button?
After years of writing and re-writing, finally I wrote a story with an ending. My first novel is called ‘The Return of the Mantra,’ and I have everything crossed that it will be published next year!!!
Happy Wednesday!
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