The paths we take to reach our goal will determine our understanding once we are there.

About Me

My photo
In an effort to define myself, I am reminded of something I once read: “Scarcely is anyone the person they were meant to be”. I’ve been many things since the age of seventeen; a soldier, a traveler, a student of trades, a father (to the most unique girl in the world!), and eventually an author. After all these years, I realize that it was never about all the things I could have been, it was what I was always meant to be; a writer. I keep three very close friends. (Who has time for more?) I avidly atv, canoe, read, and ponder on life. I like to be challenged with philosophical questions, even when I do not know the answers. I generally like to think and create. I have a passion for loyalty, and it shows within my living and writings. My life is full of exploration, the next great adventure; a constant always wonder of what could be.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

You Never Know Just How Little You Know

Addicted2success.com
    After a long absence, I have finally returned to my author’s website. I realize that there is no good excuse other than stating that even the life of an avid writer becomes cluttered with fundamentals of everyday living.  There is work (after all, writing is a passion more than a paycheck), my final term of schooling, and the general tasks of daily development. But I’d like to think that I have continued to be productive, building upon my exposure for the sake of creativity.
    For one thing, I have been reading quite a few more books than usual. Whether it is by my own volition or not is irrelevant, the important thing is that I am engaging in the stories of others. And the more I read, the insightful I become as a writer. Going back with a more open mind and reading Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea was nothing less than illuminating.
Amazon.com
Many modern day reviews have stated it as simply dragging on. (No doubt in comparison to some YA series.) But the very pages of his novel are saturated with symbolism. If you can read any page one-dimensionally, then you do truly not understand the words.
                 The same could be said about many stories. I guess that’s what I am trying to emphasize. A writer has to be flexible to every meaning of the word. We have to be open to learning new ideas and concepts, even though we may feel ours is flawless; because it is flawed. I find myself talking less these days. (Just as much anti-social as ever.) I listen and observe, especially to those that are willing to offer. I am constantly being taught new ways of discerning, and better ways of expressing.
             

    In harmony with innovation, my website is altering its expression. So please bear with me as I try to make it accessible and interesting to all. And if you're interested, you can follow my views there. Hope you find me site enjoyable and welcome back to my world!

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

An Author’s Accessibility

          The purpose of my research was to explore and implement techniques to expand my literary pursuits through mobile media technology.  I have find the accelerated rate of public acceptance to mobile devices intriguing, and sought to discover whether there still exists a market for web based literature.
egamicreative.com
            I have often wondered, what is the fascination with mobile devices? Why is a digital presence so important, and is it safe? As a prudent writer and author of a published novel, it is imperative that my efforts and ideas remain fresh upon the minds of readers. These desires seem increasingly less promising within the stagnancy of conventional book stores and web-based sites.
            My research seems to support that, regardless to the wane of conventional book promotions; a comprehensive development of a mobile web app is not only advisable but also essential for the effective exposure of today’s writers. As Andy Hunter stated, “Almost everyone in publishing is aware that change is inevitable.”
            Today’s technology and pace of living have tremendously altered the ways in which we access the simplest aspects of our daily routines. Half of all Americans now receive their daily information through the internet, with the average American spending 162 minutes a day on their mobile device; 86% of that time using apps. “The mobile phone now has the capacity to facilitate widespread and dynamic collaboration, coordination, and participation.”(Mihailidis)
thepunch.com
                Usage of once innovative communications like land based devices and print have drastically diminished over the last few decades. (Rowles) The United States Census Bureau reports that global population is well over 7 billion people and nearly 7,000 million of those are concurrently engaged in mobile activities. Those kinds of statistics make it easy to get lost in the numbers. So why have a web-based author’s site at all?
            The rapid escalation of social media has brought into question whether a website can still serve as a viable foundation. Certainly the younger generations are flocking to the ever engaging channels of mobile brevity. In respects, mobile users spend about 40% less time on a site than that of web-based users. (Levey) But the fact remains that they are still reading and seeking to be engaged. According to Zickuhr, “The rising popularity of both e-books and mobile devices is transforming Americans’ reading habits.” Three times as many users read e-books over print. Beyond childhood, most prefer the ability to travel while reading.
pbworks.com
            With this in mind, the concept of an author’s website should be intriguing to literary agents or publishers. Yet they generally do not find such sites advantageous because of the time and effort needed to establish and promote them. Additionally, agents and publishers have little to no knowledge of or control over such sites. Their concern is, in a market submerged with dot coms, how will effectively move readers to the site.
            There are other mobile sources to solicit an author’s work, and many publishers would rather have you take the route of social media. After all, there are immense publicity potentials within posting through Facebook and Twitter. But as Jane Friedman, co-founder of Scratch Magazine asserts, there are obvious flaws to that concept. There is certainly a lack of control over the direction of influence. Moreover, it is not an “effective way to deliver information to your audience.” Overt and succinct statements are conducive to social media writing. Ideally, an author should have a comprehensive web-based site with a high accessibility for mobile users. So I began with that premise.
            All artistic things must begin with simple building blocks that derive from a solid foundation. The first effort was the creation of a desktop based website. Research and professional advice lead me to purchasing a domain name for my site from domain.com. I utilized my author’s name as that of the domain name to convey professionalism.
iconarchive.com

            I then constructed the overall theme and layout of the site through WordPress, installing the headers, topics and images. Using the website creation tool, I was able to upload a diversity of my writings to subsidize the context of the site. The incorporation of links to social sites enables and inspires visitors to explore my talents further. My novels remained the primary focus of the site. However, I did include a spectrum of my many blogs.
            Admittedly, blogging has declined sharply in young adults. However, waning has been offset by an equivalent increase in blogging among older adults. Studies show that this may be due to the augmented interest in micro-blogging. (Lenhart) But as blogs advance far beyond simple forms of opinionated dairies, there remains a considerable mature audience seeking personalize professional information.
            The more I researched the subject, the more I wanted to completely revise my author’s website. The dominate factor is an ever-changing and expanding world of capabilities. And much like writing itself, application compounds creativity to craft better. Nonetheless, with a web domain established and WordPress and HTML coding in place, the next step would be to employ an app as a passage to a mobile version.
             According to Danyl Bosomworth, co-founder of Smart Insights, research shows that mobile devices are now being used more for internet browsing than traditional desktop computers. This indicator is quite believable as we look around today. Furthermore, on average, an app is being utilized 80% of the time to surf the web; far more than conventional mobile browsers. I saw the creation of a key app as crucial.
            Being beyond my technical capabilities to develop a mobile app from the ground up, I instead chose to utilize a ready-made app platform that allows the client to cater the app to their specific needs.  Utilizing the platform development of Appy Pie, I was able to combine media elements (e.g. podcast, book video) with the features of my website. Ranking prominently in the top five app building software, Appy Pie “is the world's fastest cloud based DIY app builder software” available. (Mashable) Its designers have accounted for every aspect of today’s mobile operating systems. It’s been designed to flawlessly adjust the same app to diverse platforms with little alteration to the initial plan.
thenanobyte.com
            The Appy Pie app also allows for the merger of additional features such as Podcasting. Studies show that pod-casting is an operative and viable learning tool. (Santhanam) In today’s advancements of social media communication, pod-casting is being employed in both educational and entertainment means. A mind tends to have more clarity and a sequentially deeper comprehension of the subject matter when experienced through audio. The influence of pod-casting encourages the listener to think creatively.
            Though pod-casting doesn't have a tremendous annual growth of users when compared to other forms of multimedia communications, it still retains substantial numbers. As reported by The State of the Media, “one-third of all Americans (34%), or 89 million people” state they listen to streaming of AM/FM stations or Internet-only services each month. By integrating elements of podcasts and videos, I am engaging more of the visitor’s senses.
            Book publishing of today is far more interactive than simply a few years ago. Publishers and authors are adapting to remain relative with every changing media formats.  As comic artist Stephan Pastis stated, “There’s a generation of people that are coming up that just don’t know you’re alive.”  The way to reach that generation is to address them where they are and through their interests.

            To create the book trailer for Our First War required me to utilize various stock photos and a public video file from the early 1900’s.  Through a mobile Magisto editing app, I edited the components and set it to music. I then uploaded the video to my YouTube account for public viewing. Since my account is also linked to my app, the book trailer can now easily be accessed and viewed.
             I have brought the elements of my projects together to form the Roaming Soldier app. This particular app’s targeted markets include Appy Pie Market Place, iTunes for iPhones and Google Play for Android; and will be supported by android, windows, and IPhone platforms. At a fee of $12 per month, I deem the cost acceptable with even moderate success. I am still waiting for the app’s approval at this point, but am very hopeful. If effective, I plan to redesign the initial website, which would duly convert any mobile access through the app. Additionally, I should be able to incorporate any supplementary aspects.

            Limits to this particular inquiry include previous knowledge of app development. I am aware that technical familiarity with platforms and coding would have help to advance my efforts further. Also, this research focuses extensively on literary pursuits as opposed to business or profit endeavors. However, this study could markedly benefit the interests of any aspiring writer. It establishes that there still exists a decisive market for literature, though that market is predominantly beneficial through means of mobile media. 
              *************************************************************
Bosomworth, Danyl. ” Mobile Marketing Statistics 2014.” Smart Insights. Marketing Intelligence LTD. 10 June 2013. http://www.smartinsights.com/mobile-marketing. 12 Feb. 2014  
Castledine, Earle, et al. Build Mobile: Websites and Apps for Smart Devices. Collingwood: Site Pty. Ltd, 2011. Print.  
Friedman, Jane. “Reading, writing, and publishing in the digital age.” 5 April 2014.
Horn, Laura Peowski. “Online Marketing Strategies for Reaching Today’s Teens.” Adolescence and Social Media. 2011. Web. 11 Mar 2014.
Hunter, Andy. “Literature, Plugged In.” Publishers Weekly 25. Oct 2010, Vol. 257 Issue 42, p21-25. 5p. Academic. EBSCO. Empire State College Library. Rochester, NY. 6 Feb 2014.
<http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.library.esc.edu/>.
Lenhart, A., K. Purcell, A. Smith, and K. Zickuhr. “Social Media & Mobile Internet Use Among Teens and Young Adults”. Web. 6 Feb 2014. <http://web.pewinternet.org/>.           
Levey, Jonathon. “Mobile vs. Desktop Browsing: Is Time Spent On Site a Useful Metric?” Fathom Blog. 18 May 2012. Web. 27 April 2014. http://www.fathomdelivers.com/
 “Mashable Ranks Appy Pie, As One of The Top 10 App Building Software of the World." PRWeb. Vocus PRW Holdings. 10 Dec. 2013. Web. 26 Mar. 2014.
Mihailidis, Paul. “A tethered generation: Exploring the role of mobile phones in the daily life of young people.” Mobile and Media Communications. Sage Journals. Jan 2014. Vol. 2 No. 1 pg. 58-72. 7 April 2014.
Rowles, Daniel. Mobile Marketing. Philadelphia: Kogan Page Limited, 2014. Print.
Santhanam, L.A., Mitchell, A., Rosenstiel, T. “Audio: By the Numbers.” Web. 20 Feb 2014.
http://stateofthemedia.org/
U.S. and World Population Clock. United States Census Bureau, 2014. Web. 12 April 2014.
Wei, Ran. “Mobile media: Coming of age with a big splash.” Mobile and Media Communications. Sage Journals. Jan 2013. Vol. 1 No. 1 pg. 50-56. 7 April 2014.

Zichuhr, Kathryn. “Reading, writing, and research in the digital age." Pew Research Internet Project. Pew Research Center. 4 Nov. 2013. Web. 25 April. 2014.

Friday, April 25, 2014

We the Movable Gods

       
New.ofrh.com
    I remember the first day of my Mass Media Communications class over a decade ago. It was a required core course for my degree, and I thought it would be trifling at best. A small and animated instructor started speaking of Marconi, Farnsworth, and how far 
we've come with communication in such a short time. It was a foundation that rose to an arena of messaging to great masses. It was vast and intriguing. When I walked in the door, I would have never imagined how fascinating it would be, especially since it was metaphorically a funeral.  For what I didn't know then was that I stood at the precipice of a new age, scattered about that university in the form of inconceivable devices; one that would inevitable be the demise of mass communications. 
              It’s been labeled, “the end of mass communication” (Chaffee & Metzger, 2001; Maisel, 1973).  Even back then the idealists could see it coming. We’ve all come to realize that the one-to-many classic mode of communication has been rendered theoretically inferior. Fifty years of conventional media coverage smothered by the inherent need for connected presence. Mobile technology has made us omniscient; able to reach anyone or anything anywhere at any time. We are the creators now. Whether it is news, entertainment, images, art, or knowledge, we now carry the means of its distribution; through mobile devices.



           So with all the capabilities, what are we doing with our power? Well, we are accessing information, and at a tremendous rate. Half of all Americans now receive their daily information through the internet. The average American spends 162 minutes a day on their mobile device, and 86% of that time using apps. According to Zickuhr, “The rising popularity of both e-books and mobile devices is transforming Americans’ reading habits.” Three times as many users read e-books over print. Beyond childhood, most prefer the ability to travel while reading. These statistics would be promising for any writer.

            There are those that would say that aside from a digital form, media communication is not all that different. However, like the invention of the automobile or rocket, what has changed is not simply the speed in which we travel, but the many reasons for which we travel. We yearn to be connected, to never wonder for more than a moment, to be able to equally express ourselves in whatever we are doing at the moment. With nearly half of humanity now sleeping with their cell phones, I wonder if we could ever look back. I feel that it would be unbearable, if not impossible at this point for anyone to yield the worldly powers bestowed upon them.

Chaffee, S., & Metzger, M. (2001). The end of mass communication? Mass Communication & Society, 4(4), 365–379.
Wei, Ran. “Mobile media: Coming of age with a big splash.” Mobile and Media Communications. Sage Journals. Jan 2013. Vol. 1 No. 1 pg. 50-56. 7 April 2014.
Zichuhr, Kathryn. " Reading, writing, and research in the digital age." Pew Research Internet Project. Pew Research Center. 4 Nov. 2013. Web. 25 April. 2014.


Saturday, April 12, 2014

The Lost and Found

                I began this study with a curiosity of the growing interest in mobile media. It seemed that everywhere eyes were locked to mobile device screens. So much so, that even in this age, a person could go unnoticed. I would be thinking, the world is all around you! Nowadays, it’s visibly apparent to anyone that has the ability of sight just how indispensable mobile accessibility has become.
punchsolutions.com

                With a global population of well over 7 billion people and nearly 7,000 million of those engaged in mobile activities, it’s easy to get lost in the numbers. Granted, it’s irrelevant if all anyone wanted was to be a phone call away from a loved one. But those days have quickly passed. A phone discussion is the last amenity of a cellphone today. Who has time for that today? Mobile devices have become more than just a tool to get lost in. They have come to the point of defining a person’s very existence.
Digitalcitizenshipdr.com
                Something I have learned from this study is that it is all connected. A person isn't lost within their device; they are lost apart from it. You are known by your digital presence. A reluctance to connect, to contribute to the social endeavors of Facebook and Twitter, to be endorsed by the professions of LinkedIn, or to have your words amplified in blogs around the globe, insures that you will go unnoticed. You will be obscure from any mind that matters, whether it be professional or social. It’s not that you aren't worth knowing, it’s that you won’t be found.

                If there is any hope of being regarded as a professional writer, I too need to be heard. So I now understand the unbroken stares upon the screens. I understand the constant obsession, whether for publicity or simply for companionship. An actual conversation has become an unexpected prize. But I appreciate when the eyes lift and the voice asks, “You on the twitter?” And I say yes.


U.S. and World Population Clock. United States Census Bureau, 2014. Web. 12 April 2014.


Global mobile statistics 2014 Part A: Mobile subscribers; handset market share; mobile operators. Mobi Thinking, 2014. Web. 12 April 2014.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Are We Appy Yet?

          Culminating my efforts over the last couple months, I have brought the components of my projects together to form the Roaming Soldier app.  Utilizing the platform development of Appy Pie, I was able to combine media elements (e.g. podcast, book video) with the features of my website. The main intent was to offer interested individuals a more structured access to the site from their mobile devices.
            As a DIY app publisher, Appy Pie ranks prominently in the top five. According to PR Web, it “is the world's fastest cloud based DIY app builder software” available. Its designers have accounted for every aspect of today’s mobile operating systems. It’s been designed to flawlessly adjust the same app to diverse platforms with little alteration to the initial plan.
            Frankly, Appy Pie is a great app creator. For a minimal cost, a relatively large audience can have expedient mobile access to a business website. This particular app’s targeted markets include Appy Pie Market Place, iTunes for iPhones and Google Play for Android; and will be supported by android, windows, and IPhone platforms. There is a fee of $12 per month to remain on these targeted markets. But it could take up to a month for the app’s approval.
prweb.com
            Presently any access to my author’s website from a mobile device will immediately direct the search to the mobile app version. I still think that there may be a few drawbacks until the actual app is approved. Additionally, I will be the first to concede that the entire website itself could use some spring cleaning. Like all things in life, time is always of the essence.

“Mashable Ranks Appy Pie, As One of The Top 10 App Building Software of the World." PRWeb. Vocus PRW Holdings. 10 Dec. 2013. Web. 26 Mar. 2014

“How to Make DIY Apps.” Bluecloud Solutions.n.d. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. http://www.bluecloudsolutions.com/articles/diy-apps/

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Making Motion Pages

               Chiseling away at the obelisk that is to represent me, I have next endeavored to create a book trailer to attach to my forthcoming app. Indeed; I presently do not have suitable access to early 1900’s footage, which is explicably sparse at best. Nor is the weather conducive to filming a few appropriate scenes. However, I still feel that a modest attempt to add video is better than none.
mashable.com

                Book publishing of today is far more interactive than simply a few years ago. Publishers and authors are adapting to remain relative with every changing media formats.  As comic artist Stephan Pastis stated, “There’s a generation of people that are coming up that just don’t know you’re alive.”  The way to reach that generation is to address them where they are and through their interests. That place is everywhere in a highly imaginative multimedia mobile arena.  A reader wants to be lured long before they've been hooked.
 
                By editing together elements that are within my reach, I am able to create a digital story line. I downloaded stock photos and a public video file from the early 1900’s to render a visual depiction of my novel.  I then uploaded the video to my YouTube account for public viewing. Since my account is also linked to my upcoming app, the book trailer can now easily be accessed and viewed.
                Though personally I find it arduously too social, Facebook’s marketing qualities is without question.  A single post of the book trailer could entice numerous readers. For this reason, it would be advantageous to link the YouTube trailer to sites like Facebook and Twitter; though the app itself will allow all the generated components to be accessed uniformly.

www.createspace.com
       In the midst of a more favorable season I will most likely attempt to film a more precise book trailer. But for now, the video should serve as an adequate trial model. Effectiveness will be determined as the project proceeds.



Horn, Laura Peowski. “Online Marketing Strategies for Reaching Today’s Teens.” Adolescence and               Social Media.  2011. Web. 11 Mar 2014.
Watercutter , Angela. “Publishers Hustle to Make E-Books More Immersive.” Wired. 9 April 2012.   
     Web.12 Mar 2014. <http://npgpr.com/uploads/pdf/pdfmedia_56.pdf>.
World War 1 Artillary. Pond5. Pond 5. n.p. Web. 11 Mar 2014.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

The Podcast Incentive

  I have encountered the first speed bump in my mobile pursuit. My intention was to craft an app to my website first. However, once I began it, I soon realized that to construct it properly, I would have to have all my supplementary elements formed. So I have set that portion of the project aside and commenced my idea for a podcast.
                In today’s advancements of social media communication, pod-casting is being employed in both educational and entertainment means.  Studies show that pod-casting is an operative and viable learning tool. A mind tends to have more clarity and a sequentially deeper comprehension of the subject matter when experienced through audio. The influence of pod-casting encourages the listener to think creatively. Accordingly, the increased focus allows the listener to retain more of the information. 

                Though pod-casting doesn't have a tremendous annual growth of users when compared to other forms of multimedia communications, it still retains substantial numbers. As reported by The State of the Media, “one-third of all Americans (34%), or 89 million people” state they listen to streaming of AM/FM stations or Internet-only services each month. This is a significant number of listeners to entice to my website through podcasting.
       From my smartphone I was able to record a sound wave. Then applying my Magisto editing app, I was able to clean the vocals and add background music. I then uploaded upload it to my Sound Cloud account. Now within my Sound Cloud stream tracks, I will be able to eventually link the tracks to the mobile website app. My viewers will then have an additional option in familiarizing themselves with my work.

 Santhanam, L.A., Mitchell, A., Rosenstiel, T. “Audio: By the Numbers.” Web. 20 Feb 2014. http://stateofthemedia.org/


"Social Media And Microbiology Education." Plos Pathogens 6.10 (2010): 1-3. Academic Search Complete. Web. 20 Feb. 2014.