Name That Dragon

Filed in: Writing

I’ve always said that the best way to learn any new program is to put something in it to you desperately need. If you follow me on Facebook, you may have seen a post about an issue I was having with “my dragon.” This was a reference to Dragon Naturally Speaking, a voice recognition software program that I’m trying out, in preparation for a major project I’m starting in January. I also hoped to use it in the future for dictating books while on the road.

We’re not quite there yet.

Dragon is having a few problems with my accent. So I thought the best way to practice would be to do blogs. First, it would encourage me to blog more often. Second, it would give Dragon more time to learn the nuances of my casual speech. For instance, “field of danger” is still coming out “Off and danger,” “of” is “off,” and “people” is coming out as “command.”

Don’t ask. I’m not sure I even want to know the reason for that one.

This would, of course, mean that my blog readers might find a bit more “life-noodling” in this space than long essays on the writing craft, or how my books came to be. This might not be a bad thing–not that I’m more interesting than my books, but sometimes I get blocked from blogging by trying to come up with something new and interesting to say about my books. The key word there being “interesting.” I could talk for hours, for instance, and the origins, characters, and plot of the Field of Danger, but I’m sure that would get boring after awhile even for the most loyal reader and best friend.

It could also have the added benefit of making me a better speaker, and since one of the things I would like to do as a writer is speak more to conferences, seminars, and women’s groups, this little Dragon could be one of the better things that has happened to me this year.

But I think he needs a name. And, yes, given the difficulty he has understanding me, I definitely think it’s a he.

So. What would you name him? I’m leaning toward something slightly dangerous and slightly soft. Not so much “Puff,” as Paper Bag Princess. Any ideas?

Let’s consider this a mini-contest. I’ll be open to all suggestions for the next couple of weeks. If I choose your suggestion, I’ll send you several of my books plus a couple of bonus things. Chocolate might even be in the offering.

Now, back to work in the old-fashioned way. BIC HOK TAM.

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