And Along Came Personal Computers #4

The first computer I ever saw was in the home of a friend who worked for NASA. It ran around the whole room.

Years later, I began seeing advertisements in magazines about personal computers and all they could do. When I saw one offered in a catalog I decided to buy it. I don't remember how much it was, but it was a big commitment. Well, it arrived and with the help of my husband, tried to set it up. It was far too complicated. I sent it back.

A friends began selling KayPro computers and I told him I'd buy one if he set it up and taught me how to use it. He agreed. It had slots for two floppy (and they really were floppy) discs, one was for the computer, the other for whatever program you were using. For writing, it was WordPerfect. 

I  kept writing, submitting, and bought newer, easier to use computers. By this time, my friend had a computer store. I spent a lot of time in there as he helped me learn about each computer.

I had run-ins with some other publishers who were dishonest. Different scams on writers were still out there.

Long before I had a computer, I started writing a police procedural inspired by my police officer son-in-law. Besides telling me tales about his work, he also let me see copies of his reports. He took me on my first ride-along too.

When finally had that first police procedural done, I started looking for places where I could send it off. And then, along came the Internet.

I'll write about it in the next post.

Marilyn