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PowerPoint, a digital bulletin board: Editor's Notes #275
November 28, 2018
Hello,

Writing gives you the illusion of control, and then you realize it's just an illusion, that people are going to bring their own stuff into it.
—David Sedaris


In this issue:

1. PowerPoint: your digital bulletin board
2. Tickled my funny bone
3. Interesting Web site
4. Writing prompt
5. A special offer

1. PowerPoint: your digital bulletin board
PowerPoint and any of its alternatives generally let presenters illustrate ideas to relatively large groups by creating a slide show. But recently I found myself accidentally viewing PowerPoint’s slide sorter, and therein lies an aha.

PowerPoint can be a writer’s virtual bulletin board. Once that idea hit my brain, all sorts of uses popped into my mind. People in small spaces or those who are not allowed to attach things to walls can have a bulletin board. Travellers can take their bulletin boards with them as they write novels on the Mediterranean. And anyone who needs more bulletin board space can have as much as is needed.

If you have MS Office with Word, you probably have PowerPoint, too. There are alternatives, and you can do an Internet search for them. This article is about PowerPoint because I know it.

PowerPoint consists of a series of slides. You can add and delete the slides. You can set them up with themed backgrounds if you are so inclined. You can vary the layout and font of the slides and add graphics if you like.

Specific uses for writers that I’ve thought of include the layout of a picture book, an outline sorter for a novel, a place to keep notes on characters and settings, and a spot for inspirational quotes or graphics. I used PowerPoint to sort my ideas for this article. Normally I make an idea Web on paper, but the ability to move the slides around at will was an interesting advantage that I will probably use again.

The nuts and bolts of how to set up and use PowerPoint is beyond the scope of this article, but the link below should help you with the basics.

If you use PowerPoint in some creative way, please let me know. I’d love to pass it on to other subscribers.

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2.Tickled my funny bone
I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

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3. Interesting Web site
Today you get two links. The first gives you the basics to get you started on creating your own PowerPoint bulletin board (or presentation).

https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Basic-tasks-for-creating-a-PowerPoint-presentation-efbbc1cd-c5f1-4264-b48e-c8a7b0334e36

Now, here’s a chance to give back. The Write Life is looking for good Web sites for writers. I’d love you to nominate Writer’s Helper. You can also nominate other writing sites you appreciate. No limit on how many sites you can suggest, and no obligation to you. You do not have to give away any personal information.
https://thewritelife.com/writing-websites-nominations-2019/

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4. Writing prompt
Take a walk and notice things. Next, ask yourself questions about what you notice. (Who, what, when, where, why, and how are great ways to start questions.) When you get home, start writing. The point is not to answer the questions, but to go wherever your mind leads you as you observe and question. And if your mind leads you to answer any of the questions you asked, write the answers themselves. It’s all writing.

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5. A special offer
Free “Independent Author Book Design Tip Sheet” for Editor’s Notes subscribers when they order designs from SJBarnesDesign. Offer extends to book covers, interior design, business cards, author websites and book event flyers. Email sjbarnesdesign@gmail.com and mention this deal to find out more.

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Follow me on Twitter @AudreytheEditor

Link on LinkedIn https://ca.linkedin.com/in/audreyowen (Email me first so I know how you know me.)

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