By Morgan
Tarpley Smith
Technology is
ever evolving and as writers these type of advancements can be super helpful
but also possibly overwhelming. But one new technological method has brought
brainstorming with fellow writers from across the country to a whole new level
for me – and it’s called Zoom.
Several weeks
ago, I took part in an online video conference with three fellow writers and it
couldn’t have been easier or more fun.
The best part was that we were all in
different states and time zones. We chose a time that fit us all, and we joined
in to talk through one of our manuscripts. I even used my Kindle Fire for it,
which was awesome.
Now, let me tell
you more about this awesome technology called Zoom. Zoom
is a private company headquartered in San Jose, Calif. Founded in 2011, Zoom is
a leader in modern enterprise video communications that offers a secure, easy
platform for video and audio conferencing, messaging, and webinars across
mobile, desktop, and room systems.
Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room
solution used around the world in conference, huddle, and training rooms as
well as executive offices and classrooms. Zoom helps over 650,000 businesses
and organizations bring their teams together to get more done.
The Zoom app is free, and it was free to sign up to have our
meeting. All we had to do was create a log-in and then was click on Start with
video to start a video meeting. The next step was to click on Schedule to set
up the future meeting. Then, we had to join the meeting when we were sent an
invite. It was fairly simple, and we were able to speak uninterrupted and with
no issues.
The free version allows for 40 minute meetings with up to
100 participants, but you can have unlimited meetings. You also have unlimited
one-on-one meetings. We could see each other on the screen in our own little
boxes, and I had flashbacks from “The Brady Bunch” show intro. (ha!)
Have you used Zoom
before? If not, what other technological methods have you used for online
brainstorming? What has worked best for you?
Morgan
Tarpley Smith
Morgan Tarpley Smith is an
award-winning newspaper reporter and photographer in Louisiana. She is also an inspirational
adult and middle grade novelist.
Besides writing and traveling to over a dozen
countries, her interests include acting, genealogy, photography, and singing.
She resides in Louisiana with her husband and is expecting their first child in
2018. For more information about Morgan, connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Goodreads.
