Using Your Blackberry Smartphone to Your Writing Advantage

If you're anything like me, you are constantly bombarded throughout the day with fantastic ideas for articles you would like to submit here at Associated Content, or for other projects you may be working on. Unfortunately, as is often the case, these flurries of ideas seem to strike your brain at the most inconvenient times: while you're driving down the road in the midst of a storm with no time to fish for a pen and pad; or perhaps in the midst of a corporate business meeting where the slightest cough, sound or movement would be incredibly awkward.

Alas, by the time you arrive home, the brilliant idea has escaped the memory banks of your mind, leaving you a despondent, miserable writer. Much of the aforementioned can, however, be remedied with a few simple and easy-to-use tools found within the majority of today's popular Smartphones, Blackberries in particular. If you're a Blackberry user and freelance writer, take the time to learn and utilize a few of these helpful tools:

1. Voice Notes Recorder (can be found on the majority of recent models, particularly the Blackberry Curve 8300 series; designated by a microphone icon).

The functionality and convenience of this feature cannot be overstated, particularly for driving situations in which your hands need to remain on the steering wheel and your attention on the road. By accessing the Voice Notes Recorder feature, the user is instantly able to record his/ her own voice, or even the voice of another individual, with surprising clarity. Creating and saving article notes for yourself is a breeze with this easy-to-use Blackberry option. It is additionally beneficial for writers who may wish to record a source/interviewee while on the go-particularly if you are lacking a more professional voice recording device.

2. Notepad/Memos (usually designated by a yellow notepad icon)

Similar to features available in other personal digital assistant (PDA) devices, this useful Blackberry option allows the user to create, edit and save personal notes and reminders into an unlimited number of categories. The naming of these categories is up to you. For example, I have a category specifically titled "Associated Content." Any and all article notes, ideas, brainstorming, etc. are filed under this category.

After several categories have been created, the user can then jockey between them by using the "Filter" option, accessible from the main menu (by pressing the Blackberry icon key on your smartphone).

3. Camera: When Words Simply Won't Do (designated by a small handheld camera icon).

How often have you been inspired to write an article based on something you saw? Perhaps it was an intriguing building, monument, a local restaurant, even a person. Unfortunately, the visual traits of that person or object often leave our memory only a short time after we have seen it. The next time you find yourself captivated by such an object, take the time to snap a picture with your Blackberry camera. You may also find it beneficial to attach a personal note to the picture, one which will serve as a memory aid at a later point.

4. SMS E-mail

When note taking and photos simply aren't enough, you can always send a message to yourself. If your Blackberry boasts e-mail capabilities, type out a brief summary of your article notes and send them to your personal and/or business e-mail address. Be aware of any fees and/or charges that may accompany such a message. Check with your cellular service provider before sending several e-mails from your phone. Repeated access to e-mail and Internet will typically result in the accumulation of unwanted charges on your next bill.

5. Tasks

This feature is of particular help when scheduling article deadlines for yourself. By utilizing this option, the user is able to create and schedule personal and business-related tasks by their due date (time and calendar date), priority (high, normal or low), and their status (not started, in progress, completed, waiting or deferred). You may additionally choose to arrange these tasks within categories, similar to the aforementioned options available with your memos/notepad. With each task, the user is able to schedule a reminder in the form of an audible alarm, as well as attach a personal note to each task. For writers under the pressures of deadlines, this is an irreplaceable Blackberry feature. So the next time you find yourself overcome by article ideas in the midst of an inconvenient scenario or location, whip out your Blackberry smartphone and utilize some of its amazingly useful features. After all, that's what they're for. And in the end, you'll retain your article material and, hopefully, become a better and more resourceful writer.