Use your phone for something other than selfies...like reading!

Remember when phones were used only for making handy calls, when a landline wasn’t available? I don’t either because I’m not that old. I used my first cell phone to play games and the second one to take pictures...not of myself.

When smart phones came along, texting became instantly popular and there were so many games apps that classic games of solitaire and snake was quickly forgotten. Games became popular, messaging apps provided more and more convenient features and while there was a camera in every phone, taking pictures was never the main reason why people bought mobile phones.

I think it was when smart phones started using better lenses and providing increased pixels, was when people decided that taking clear pictures of passing scenery was simply not enough. Turning around the phone, they started to take pictures of themselves and friends, until it was decided that the camera app would be used more if the selfie feature was added to the application. So, no more turning around the phone; a simple tap on the screen can activate the front camera.

Thus began the obsession with selfies. No one care about taking a picture of anything but themselves with a background that is never the main focus of the picture. There will be hundreds of pictures on a social media account of a person, but rarely would there be a noticeable background, much less the event that was supposed to be captured.

Therefore, you have only captured a moment, not truly lived it.

Pictures are important to commemorate a moment, but surely one can be enough, rather than a series of shots and the compulsion to take a perfect shot. How much time is wasted to find the perfect angle, the accurate pose and the perfect filter to enhance photos, when all that time could be utilized spending time with loved ones, or better yet, taking the time out to do something productive.

There used to be a time, I believe, when people’s favorite pastime was to pick up a book and read. They would take it everywhere with them, especially during traveling. I used to do it as well, until I stopped the practice. Carrying a book in my handbag suddenly became cumbersome when I had to keep in mind the allowance of luggage weight.

Fortunately, readers now have the option to carry all their favorite books on their favorite device. Be it an e-reader or a tablet or the cellphone, books are now available as apps that an be purchased no matter where you are.

There are many who argue about the waning trade of publishing and how print books are, no doubt, far superior to ebooks. My argument: it doesn’t matter in which form you read books, as long as the hard work of writers is appreciated.

If I had an opinion, I would say ebooks are better. As a writer, it is far easier to get published by epublishers rather than mainstream ones. The process is the same though, writers have to face their share of rejections in any field. In epublishing, once you are accepted, the release of your book is a faster process. Everything is done over the internet- from cover art to coordinating with your editor.

It is easier, faster and advantageous to the reader who can download the book immediately in the comfort of their own homes. Readers can carry their favorite stories, anywhere in their pockets. And honestly, I would rather see people appreciating the written word rather than obsessing about selfies and creating photo collages.

By spending time reading an ebook, readers are encouraging writers to work on their craft. And when you purchase a book, you are lending support to a struggling writer. It is easy to fall in love and be passionate about writing, what is difficult is to sustain that passion. All writers want, is to have their hard work being appreciated by having more reads on their work.

When you purchase and read ebooks, you are also helping hundreds of epublsihing companies who strive to bring forth interesting stories and help struggling writers. Without the support of readers, small publishing companies are unable to hold onto their endeavors to help authors who have talent but down on their luck to find an outlet to display their work.

When these epublishers close down, many talented authors are left stranded and forced to give up on their dreams. Without someone wanting to help and encourage them, writers are left with no choice but to give up on the one thing that makes them happy.

All this can be avoided by encouraging reading. There are thousands of authors in the world and hundreds of stories in each of them. Their stories can take you to another place- a happier one, a fantastical one, a place filled with dreams. Their stories will lend you perspective, help you grow and understand culture and tolerance.

Each story is beautiful and each word is a tiny part of a writer’s passion.

So stop being selfie-ish and indulge the writers who spend so much time on their art. In the process, you too, gain a world where anything is possible.  

My Ebooks: 

Kobo books

iTunes