I love my Kobo!

Dear Scribblers

Have you delved into the world of the e-book reader yet?

I must say, seeing as I like to touch and hold and feel, and adore the smell of books, I was a little skeptical of the lure of e-ink. Then I thought about it in the same way as writing, I keep a daily journal written with proper flowing ink, but I also blog, tweet and Facebook. I often make handwritten notes, but I also jot down ideas on my iPhone. I sometimes write out stories by hand, but also go great guns directly onto the MacBook.

This follows through to my crafting, I sometimes scribble my journalling, other times print out font. I even go the whole way and make complete digital pages. If I can be a hybrid-scrapper and writer, why not a hybrid-reader?

After checking out all the e-readers in the market place, I finally found my perfect match!

The Kobo Touch. It's a fantastic e-reader, with a responsive and easy to read touch screen, with only two buttons - on/off and home. Kobo Books is an amazing book store including plenty of free books and previews. You can even buy books elsewhere for use on it (drag and drop - including pdfs, plus Adobe Digital Editions), and loan e-books from your local library, if they offer that facility.

There's a whole social networking scene called Reading Life, including collecting rewards of virtual stickers as you read and then send them onto Facebook, and where you can also check your reading stats too.

The casing is very tactile and easy to hold, not to mention chic. Its quilted back reminds me somewhat of a very expensive designer handbag, that most of you will know is very close to my heart!

It can sync via your computer (PC and Mac, which is a bonus) or via WiFi, up to your own account at Kobo Books. If you've got an iPad or iPhone, you can app it to sync to that as well.

There are a couple of options I would like added though. These include being able to access the dictionary and notes sections directly, not just via a book, and also a crossword solver would be nice. There is already a sudoku game, plus sketchbook and internet browser in their extras section under experimental functionality.

In my opinion, it's so much better than anything that the other companies offer in the UK.  

I know this sounds like an advert, but it's not! I'm in no way connected with Kobo, nor am I getting any payment for writing this post. It's just I love it! I'm hooked on the free classics on my e-book reader.

It won't replace all my lovely books on my shelf, but it's a brilliant way to carry books with you, plus I've downloaded some of my long-term favourites which I can have with me at all times.

Happy Scribing... and Reading - however you do it!


NB: The extract shown on screen is from the free preview of 'The Eyre Affair' by Tom Fforde.

NaNoWriMo over and Christmas is coming!

Dear Scribblers

Where did the month go? I'm so sorry for neglecting you, sometimes time has the habit of whipping away from you. I hope you've been following the daily prompts on Twitter as an alternative.

NaNoWriMo, as is November, is over, and I'm pleased to report I hit my 50,000 word count before the end of the month. I'm a winner!

I still have more to write before my first draft is finished, then the process of editing and re-editing and re-editing and... you get the idea!

So, it's almost Christmas and winter celebrations, who can believe that it's the end of another year? There's that time doing it's busy again. Are you ready? To be honest, I haven't even started! Not one present bought, no tree up and - hangs head in shame - no cards made! Not written, not even bought. Oh, the horror! I've had a strange few months which has meant that thoughts of holidays have been quite far from my mind, but never fear. I'm pushing forward, and I know that I'll get it done in time. Although, as a naughty crafter, the cards will be coming from a shop this year.

Projects of the Day: 

1.  If you are one of those lucky people who are all sorted for Christmas, don't forget to take photos of all your wrapped presents, cards on display and tree. It will be something to add to your Christmas layouts.

2.  If you still have your holiday shopping and chores to do, remember to take photos as you go along. Make a list of all the things you need to do and include that in your layouts. Have fun with your tasks.

3.  How about gathering together some of your favourite photos from previous years, and making a collage.

4.  If you are a writer, take some of your favourite memories and put them together to create a 'Christmas through the ages' memoir.

NB: Please substitute the word Christmas, for your own festival if you follow a different religion. Enjoy your winter celebrations!

Happy Scribing!