Tech Tips for Writers is an occasional post on overcoming Tech Dread. I’ll cover issues that friends, both real-time and virtual, have shared. Feel free to post a comment about a question you have. I’ll cover it in a future Tip.
When I write, I don’t like interruptions. I’m completely in my head with my characters, watching what they do so I can scribe for them. When technology gets glitchy, it throws me out and–like a dream–I completely lose track of the storyline.
I’m probably extreme but because of my quirkiness, I’ve fallen in love with shortkeys. For me, once I remember them, they’re faster, more efficient, and my eyes stay on the screen rather than searching for tools and keys.
I usually write on a PC but sometimes, when I need a laptop, I use my Chromebook. Here’s a poster with ten of my favorite Chromebook shortkeys:
If you use a Chromebook for writing, do you have a favorite I didn’t mention?
More Chromebook Tech Tips for Writers
5 Ways to Personalize Wallpaper on 3 Digital Devices
How to Make Your Characters Digitally Literate
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers, and Born in a Treacherous Time, first in the Man vs. Nature saga. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, blog webmaster, an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for TeachHUB and NEA Today, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Survival of the Fittest, Spring 2019, first in the Crossroads Trilogy. You can find her tech ed books at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning
Shortkeys are very handy if you remember them!! I do all my writing on a desktop, much easier plus like you I have two screens. Brilliant when researching and writing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I use a Chromebook for teaching but not so much for personal stuff. I’m too old to switch from my desktop. It does everything I need.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same here. My desktop is where I do all my writing and research. I do use my tablet for checking the various thesauri as a third screen. Am I a tech geek or what? LOL 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes you are! I often have a tablet at my side too, for those reference issues. We’re Today’s Writers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We certainly are! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Am I having a blonde moment…I’m not even sure what a Chromebook is! I’d know one if I had one though, right 😉 And with those tips, I kind of wish I had!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I often think most normal people aren’t familiar with Chromebooks. Education has become addicted to them because they’re so cheap but few others I talk to are interested. Well, my son (a satellite geek for the Army) bought one and loves it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for these useful tips Jacqui 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Deb.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What is the difference between a laptop and a Chromebook?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The laptop is like a desktop Mac or PC but in that laptop format–portable. It runs software as well as anything on the Intenret. Chromebooks look like laptops but only run whatever works off the Internet. You don’t load software nor do you download to it. It you use a laptop mostly for Internet and email, Chromebooks are perfect. Because lots of people don’t like software anymore (for oh so many reasons), online sites for MS Office, Adobe, and all what used to be software are becoming more and more popular.
LikeLike
Useful to know about these shortkeys which I did not know about. I write on my laptop in short bursts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shortkeys definitely speed up the process, allowing your brain to focus on your story rather than where the f*** the key is!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jacqui,
Good tips. I don’t have a Chromebook nor do I do much writing on my iPad but shortcuts always a welcome. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many generic ones also work on Chromebooks but I focused on their unique ones. Chromebooks are a tad different than the norm!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jacqui – glad that’s there … but for now I can ignore – as I don’t have that personal animal of a Chromebook!! Cheers Hilary
LikeLiked by 1 person
I use mine rarely, have it more for teaching purposes, but it’s a winner in schools. It has low maintenance, is sturdy, and inexpensive. Nice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keyboard shortcuts also improve speed by keeping your hands on the keyboard. Every time you lift your hand from the keyboard to move the mouse and click, you’ve lost time and train of through. and lord knows my tracks aren’t that solid …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really good point. That ones a keeper.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No Chromebook for me but someone’s day just got easier.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are a lot of reasons why Chromebooks are great (my son no longer has to reformat every month because Chromebooks don’t allow downloads) but in your case, I think your PC is a great choice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its useful for me… Thank!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad it’s helpful!
LikeLike
My better half has a Chromebook, but there doesn’t seem to be a right-click to it, so actions are limited.
LikeLiked by 2 people
GP, most times when right click doesn’t come as an individual key, pressing ALT F11 or CTRL F11 will do the job.
I hope this works on a chromebook too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m going to try this. So often, there are multiple ways to invoke something. This well could work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
let me know if it works on chromebook.
LikeLiked by 1 person
hmmmm, it’s the shift not the alt key i use….
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like Jina’s solutions. The Right Click shortkey is kinda hidden on this chart (as is the Chromebook right-click). You:
tap once on the touchpad using two fingers. This will open the right-click menu wherever you are.
I can’t say I ever think of a two-finger tap, except for this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jacqui!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m with you…no interruptions! Thanks, Jacqui!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep. I’m in my head and searching for that tool throws me right out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very useful Jacqui.. thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chromebooks are their own animal. I’d prefer a device that was only for the Internet that retained all the keys I’m used to. I guess that’s asking too much.
LikeLiked by 1 person