Dina Fleet Berry

Dear three people who read this (I know because I use Google Analytics):

Since I’m both a computer programmer and writer, and I seem to be meeting other people that are also techie and fiction writers, I thought I would start interviewing these people more formally and allow them to pitch their wares in return. However, dear three people, they don’t know me and may think I’m trying to usurp their good name for nefarious purposes. So, in the attempt to allay their fears, I will interview myself with the same questions.

If, dear three people, you would like to be participate (i.e., you are techie and a fiction writer), please send me email.

[There seems to be some debate over the spelling of techy versus techie. I consider myself corrected and will hence forth and forever more spell it techie.]

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What kind of technology work do you do?

I have a B.S. in Computer Science (yeah, I laugh at the B.S. part too) and spent most of my post-college years working for, on, or with Microsoft software. To be specific, my strongest interests are website development with .Net and SQL Server. Oh, Query Analyzer, how I love you.

What area of creative writing are you working on?

I’m writing a humorous cozy techy techie thriller mystery thingamabob novel.

How have the two mixed?

My writing hasn’t really affected my technical stuff except my code comments are much funnier. The technology stuff has definitely affected my writing but not in a hard-boiled the world will end kind of way — mostly of a Homer Simpson using a cell phone kind of way.

What tech tools have crossed over into your writing life?

All of them. I’m always looking for techy techie solutions to any problem — software to: help organize my writing projects (OneNote), produce words faster (Dragon NaturallySpeaking), or connect with other writers (Twitter and Google Reader).

What kind of writing tools have crossed over into you tech life?

I’m annoying with my use and misuse of grammar and spelling because I know I’m write right.

Platform of choice: Mac/Windows/Linux/Other?

Windows, but I see you with your cool-kid Mac over.

Cellphone of choice: Blackberry/IPhone/Google/Windows Mobile/Other?

Blackberry but expect to switch the Windows Mobile 7 soon.

Enjoy working on hardware or software?

Both. No switching, routing, DNS, MX record nonsense though. I know my limits.

Tech toys (smart phone/mp3 player/etc) or old-fashioned (pen/paper)?

Tech toys always (until the batteries die) but I still write the grocery list on paper.

If you had to choose one: tech or writing?

I don’t want to give up either.

Number of computers or devices you use in a typical week?

4

Current project you want to promote?

Not yet.

Time of day you write?

5 a.m.

Tags: Author, Story, Tech By Day / Write By Night, Technology, Writing