Dragons, Stocks, and Presents, Oh My!

Over the Christmas break, I met with a former colleague for lunch. It’s always a pleasure meeting up with this colleague, who is enjoying his retirement. At one point during our lunch conversation, we started talking about stocks. He told me how he began buying and selling stocks as a teenager, and I admitted I didn’t buy my first stock until I began working with our former employer. After I got the hang of buying and selling stocks, I decided to buy a stock that specialized in digital voice software. It was the late 90's, and there wasn’t a lot of competition, so I decided to buy this company’s stock. The stock was around $50 a share in June. Within two months, it rose to about $175 a share.

When I told my former colleague about this stock, he knew exactly what I was talking about because he just bought digital voice software. He asked me if the company name was Nuance, and I started to laugh because that was the company I had bought stock in over a decade ago. (I don’t know if this is the same company, because I couldn’t find matching stock prices on the web.) He stated he just bought the software, and it’s been working great. It takes a while for the software to get to know your voice and writing style, but after working in it, you get used to the dictation and commands. He was very pleased with the software and I told him I’ll have to look into it for my writing.

Yesterday, we went to the post office to pick up a package. To my surprise, the package contained digital voice software with a note from my former colleague stating that he hopes it assists with my writing endeavors. Of course I had to try it out to see how it works. I set up a profile, let it read my documents, and the more I use it, the more it familiarizes itself with my voice. I’m sure the NSA would enjoy this software… if they aren’t using it already. Anyways, I decided to use it for this blog post. I dictated, made corrections, and started understanding some commands.

I’m on my third draft of my novel, Fogged up Fairytale, and I hope to use this software for revisions. It does take some time getting used to, but not that much. I’ve been using it for several hours with only a few problems with voice recognition.

I must extend a huge thanks to my former colleague, who has been a loyal blog reader and supporter of my writing. If it wasn’t for him, and many others who have supported me along the way, I would not have achieved success with my writing. I’m truly grateful for him and his continuous generosity.

If you are interested in digital voice software, you can purchase it on Amazon. The software is called Dragon Naturally Speaking. It’s by Nuance, and is a home edition speech recognition software.

Has there been a software or electronic device you recently purchased that you’d like to share with others?

Stocks and Presents,

Bea

Expect the Unexpected!

The beginning of a New Year is always something to look forward to with a fresh new outlook. It’s a time for resolutions, new behaviors, and/or ridding ourselves of the negative ... And preparation time to expect the unexpected.

I recently returned from the States, and I learned not to expect things. While visiting, I had a calendar of expectations, but the unexpected happened. It was a realization that I should always prepare for the unexpected, not just focus on what I want but what could possibly be.    

If there’s one thing I learned during my visit is that everyone is busy, and even though plans are set, the unexpected sometimes pops up. Time doesn’t wait for anyone. It was a wakeup call, and a lesson that while other people’s lives continue on, I also have a life that I must get on with in order to succeed.

When I lived and worked in the United States, my life was completely different than it is now, living and working as a self-published author in Germany. It’s more relaxed, and my husband and I get to spend a lot of time together due to his job and vacation time. I was blessed to get to write full-time and work on my publications, but I also have to admit that I can easily stray from my job—procrastination is one of my weaknesses.

But I feel that 2014 will bring me lots of wonderful life experiences, and writing successes. Like all New Years, I’ve made a few resolutions as a guide. Here they are:

Writing and Publication

1)  I hope to make 2 blog posts a week.

2)  I hope to keep up and follow more bloggers.

3)  If anything, I hope to connect with more writers.

4)  My women’s fiction novel, Fogged Up Fairy Tale will be published by the summer.

5)  I’ll republish my past books under my new imprint.

6)  I will research and learn different ways to promote and market my book(s).

Personal

1)  I won’t be returning to the States this year, but instead, focus on my success.

2)  I’ll get a new domain for my imprint and recreate my website.

3)  Each day, I’ll thank God for something I’m grateful for in my life.

4)  I’ll lose more weight.

5)  This year will be a year of travel.

6)  I plan on getting to know other people in Germany, so I can build a community of friends here.

Have you made any resolutions?

I wish you all a wonderful New Years. May you achieve your resolutions.

Resolutions and the Unexpected,

Bea

Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award

I’ve received blog awards before, but I’ve never heard of the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers award. It’s a cute name and it reminds me of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants novel. What makes the award special is that I received it from one of my internet sisters, Pat, who shares so many kitchen table stories. Please take the time to stop on over to Pat’s blog, Plain Talk and Ordinary Wisdom.

The Rules are as stated:

1. Provide a link and thank the blogger who nominated you for this award.
2. Answer 10 questions.

3. Nominate 10-12 blogs that you find a joy to read.

4. Provide links to these nominated blogs and kindly let the recipients know that they  have been nominated.

5. Include the award logo within your blog post.

Since I haven’t been blogging much, and the blogs I follow have received countless awards, I’ll refrain from passing it on and just answer the questions.

Questions and my answers

1. Your favorite color? Red.

2. Your favorite animal? Shakespeare (My Jack Russel/Maltese Mix dog)

3. Your favorite non-alcoholic drink? Water

4. Facebook or Twitter? Facebook. I don’t have the patience to go through a bunch of links. Not my thing. I’d much rather interact with people than read about celebrities, or click on links to blogs, articles, etc. BORING!

5. Your favorite pattern? This is definitely a question I’ve never come across before. I’d probably have to go more with style, which is Modern Country (Pottery Barn).

6. Do you prefer getting or giving presents? I prefer to give presents than receive them.

7. Your favorite number? 7

8. Your favorite day of the week? Actually, every day of the week that I get to spend with my husband is my favorite day.

9. Your favorite flower? Calla Lily

10. What is your passion?  To ‘live’ life, not just be a spectator.

Virtual Sisters and Awards,

Bea

Fogged Up Fairy Tale

I know I’ve been sleeping on the blog, but I have to tell you that it’s because I’m writing. As I mentioned before, I’ve been working on a women’s fiction/chick-lit book, and it’s in the revision stages.

BUT, I finally came up with a title and created the front cover. My current novel is called Fogged Up Fairy Tale and below is the cover.  

I am excited about this book because it is very different from Net Switch, and that alone challenged me. Fogged Up Fairy Tale is slated for publication in the Summer of 2014. If you get a chance, please stop on by my author website, http://www.authordenisebaer.com/, and browse around to check out the changes.

Chick-Lit and Sarcasm,

Bea