I must say I am having a marvelous time visiting with blog writer Lori Gloyd, author of Into the Blue and Return to the Garden. She has really shown me the town. Since I am on assignment for Web Witchery Weekly, we are taking a few minutes to be serious and discuss issues of technology and creativity. Lori has taken me for supper at a local diner near the beach. I conducted the following interview while waiting for our meal to be served.
Priscilla: I know you may find this hard to believe, Lori, but before I began my journey I didn’t even know how to switch on a computer. A lot of my friends hate computers and resist being web savvy. Are your friends like this?
Lori: (LOL!) You’re kidding me? The Queen of Cyberspace couldn’t switch on a computer? Well, there’s hope for all of us, I think. To answer your question, most people I know use their computers for practical purposes- e-mail correspondence, keeping their financial or personal records– or for light recreation-surfing the web, playing music or watching movies, that sort of thing. I am the only one in my circle who uses computer technology for creative self-expression.
P.: Why do you suppose some writers and artists don’t use these tools?
L.: Well, I think most people have a natural reluctance to reveal their creative works to the world for fear of ridicule. Truth be told, that is possible, but the alternative is never having your work seen or enjoyed by those who WOULD appreciate it. Web-publishing has been a most amazing and wonderful gift for creative people for this reason, but unfortunately, it is not highly regarded by some.
P.: Why do you think some people do not treat web publishing seriously?
L: I think one of the reasons is that many people assume that if any person, regardless of education or credentials, can be an instant author, then their work cannot possibly be “good.” Similarly, some might assume that if a creative product is any “good”, then it would be appear in a hard-copy publication. For some reason, the perception of being in print on paper is more “real”. For many, the free and instantaneous nature of web-publishing devalues the worth of the creative product.
P: But obviously you don’t think that.
L.: Of course not. I think web-publishing offers to the world new ways of thinking and exposure for writers and artists who would never have the opportunity otherwise. Like me! (LOL!) Also, there is more creative liberty in web-publishing.
P: How so?
L.: Since I don’t have to worry about creating a product that is going to be considered by a publisher as economically viable, I am totally free to write or create whatever I wish. Furthermore, none of us need to be enslaved to the personal tastes of literary and art critics who decide what is “good” or “bad.”
P: What has become the most rewarding aspect of working online?
L.: Finding other people who think just like this. I get a certain amount of support from some of my friends and family, but it wasn’t until I got involved with team-blogging that I found the understanding and support that comes from connecting with like-minded artists and writers-the ones who really “get it”- that is, people who truly understand the innovative and evolving realm of Web 2.0.
P.: That’s wonderful. Whenever I look at or visit the Soul Food Café, it seems like an inexplicable maze. What do you think I should do to become more actively involved? What do I really have to learn to do before engaging?
L.: First, you need to get over the fear of putting your work out there. So what if it’s not “perfect”? Every time you write or make something and expose it to an audience, you learn something about yourself and your craft. You find your “voice”. Things like proper grammar or spelling, or in the case of art-making, technical skill, will improve as you continue.
BUT, let me give you a cautionary note here: I am talking about putting your creative and intellectual work out there. I am not talking about putting personal information out there about yourself or your family and friends. Cyberspace is truly a wild and wooly frontier and there are a few unscrupulous people out there. If you are not sure, ask a teacher or other mentor before you post. Be expressive but be cautious.
P.: I couldn’t agree with you more, Lori.
L.: That being said, the second thing every writer and artist needs is a bit of discipline and commitment. At best, you should write or make art daily, but at least on a regular, frequent basis. There’s no secret for accomplishing this-you just have to make up you mind to do it.
Third, take action and get a blog. Simple blogs are free. I am familiar with WordPress and Blogger. There are others. Find any that you like and set up a blog. The blog is your blank canvas. Once you get started, and this I guarantee, you will amaze yourself with the words and images that spring forth.
Fourth, you need to find a virtual community of supportive, like-minded people. It might be your classmates or it might be a group like the Soul Food Café. And, don’t sit back and be quiet in these groups. Even if you don’t create or write something every day, you can comment and offer supportive words to the other members of your creative community.
P.: Technology clearly encourages people to become agile and adaptive. I guess, like me, they are accustomed to keeping upright on a broom. Have you found you have had to be resilient? Does this Web 2.0 stuff keep you on your toes?
L.: That leads me to my final point. You must be willing to learn about and experiment with new things. For example, a year and a half ago, I knew nothing about blogging and online communities. Now I am fairly competent with WordPress, Yahoo Groups, and Flickr, plus programs like Photoshop and Illustrator which I learned as my own art-making evolved. You’re going to laugh at me, but I only recently learned that all this has a name: Web 2.0. Who knew? (LOL!)
P: Your blogs are just amazing Lori. Obviously you now have a virtual toolbox at your disposal. What web tools have become indispensable to you?
L.: Thank you, Priscilla. I appreciate that. Well, besides the tools I just mentioned, I am learning how do better research online for my projects. I don’t know what I would do without Google. But, let me add that not everything on the web is accurate so you have to be discerning about your sources. Your teachers or other experts in a given field can guide you in using web-based sources. Oh, yeah, (LOL!), you may be surprised to know that just recently I discovered YouTube!
P.: Really? That IS funny. What have you found most challenging about working on an interactive, Web 2.0 site like Soul Food? How has technology changed your creative life?
L.: To answer your first question, the fact that the technology does change so rapidly, I find keeping up is a bit of a challenge. If you don’t keep up, you’ll get left behind. So when I encounter a new application or tool, I give it a try. I may not incorporate it into my toolbox, but at least I try to familiar with it.
In answer to your second question, technology has changed my creative life by giving me a creative life. Because I have these tools and access to a world-wide audience, I have been prompted to write and create more often and to explore new areas. My evolution as a creative person has been extraordinary. I’m not kidding you.
P: One more thing: Here’s a piece of paper and some pens. I want you to trace your right hand and share the five magical things that you have learned about creativity and the web at the Soul Food Cafe.
L.: Okay, sure! This will be fun……….Right, here it is.
P.: Lori, that is absolutely spot-on. Well, I think our dinner is coming…I want to thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
L.: My pleasure, Priscilla.
I am utterly amazed at what I am learning about 
I’m glad I brought my broom. With Lori’s directions in hand, I made my way to the 
Oh, I had the most wonderful Halloween. Lori took me to a neighborhood street fair. It was a family affair with games for children, a pumpkin carving contest, and a live band for the grown-ups to enjoy.
I must say it has been an amazing trip so far. I left the tranquility of Knott’s Island on a whirlwind and soon settled into an uneventful flight across the continent. On Saturday I landed atop the old Library Towers Building in downtown Los Angeles, the tallest building on the west coast of North America. Afterall, I wanted to take a look around and freshen up before I reached Lori’s place. But no one told me about those wretched Santa Ana winds. I tried my best to hold on, but the next thing I knew, I was out of control, tossing and tumbling through the sky. It took me three days before I figured out how to ride these savage winds and find my way to Lori’s office.
