What is a Neo?

Spending long hours in waiting rooms is not my favorite past time, but I've found a way to ease the boredom, tame anxiety and create a possible piece of writing. Along with magazines, books and chocolate, I take my Neo. A Neo is simple to use. Just turn it on and start typing. Everything is saved as it is typed. I can change the font on my Neo, control the screen contrast, and when I want to store my files on my computer at home it is easy to do with a cable and a USB port.

On this rugged little light-weight laptop, which runs on three AA batteries or a rechargeable battery pack, I can spend hours away from home writing, in the car, in a coffee shop or restaurant, camping in the woods or anywhere I take it. My handwriting has become unreadable and my thumbs don't work as well as they once did to hold a pen. But my typing skills are fine.

The Neo was built for children to use in the classroom, and it has a tough exterior that withstands dropping or rough treatment. The Neo can be connected to another used by the teacher. I have learned just a few of the many things I can do on this little gadget, but all I have wanted so far is to write and to download my files to either my printer or my computer.

No wires, no internet and no email to steal my valuable writing time. With the Neo you get software that works with Windows or MacIntosh.

PET Scans take hours and while I've sat in the waiting rooms I have done character sketches of the men and women who, like me, wait. I've imagined what these people think and how they feel as they wait. While I'm concentrating on them, my anxiety level falls and my creative mind takes me away for awhile.

While traveling by car, I take notes on scenery or other things I might use in poetry or an essay. I note comments made between me and my husband that should be followed up later. I've never found such a handy tool for writing.

This product is by AlaphaSmart, a Renaissance Learning Brand.

My Neo was a birthday present. A famous writer said he takes his Neo when he flies so he can easily type and save his work.

I have absolutely no financial interest in this company, but I wanted to share this neat little keyboard with my readers. It has taken the place of a pad and pen and I take it almost everywhere these days.

I probably should not be posting this time of night when I'm half asleep and bone tired, but forgive me if I ramble.
My class last Tuesday was excellent with about ten delightful students of all ages. Our oldest is 85 and writes with the confidence of a seasoned writer. All of us are looking forward to his sharing his memories from as far back as World War II. We discussed organizing our stories in folders and writing down the turning points or milestones in our lives. One man couldn't wait to begin heading his folders. I have a good, good, feeling about this class. The trust is already there. I must confess I just love writers and being with writers, beginners or professional.

All of my life I have dealt with stressful situations by writing. Writing is therapy for me and I'm grateful I enjoy it. A few weeks ago as I waited in a room filled with people young and old starring into space, encircled by arms of loved ones, hands griped in hands, the tension and fear was thick enough to choke a person. I pounded on my Neo, a little keyboard I can use anywhere. I would later download my writing to my computer. Like a reporter at the scene of an accident I keyed in all the characters, described faces, body shapes, expressions and actions. I learned this from Darnell Arnoult an excellent writer who says she keeps a notebook with her and gets some of her best characters from watching people in waiting rooms.
I don't plan to use these people in a fiction piece, but it helped me through my waiting time to write about them and imagine what they were facing.
Do you study and examine people you see and wonder about them? Do you write about them? Most writers are observant of the people around them in restaurants, standing in lines and anywhere they can watch people. Try it the next time you have to wait in a doctor's office. Just make notes on what you see in the faces of those who are there in the room. Describe their physical attributes. Notice the difference in noses and describe them. It is fun and a good way to get your mind occupied if you happen to have a troublesome situation you'd rather not think about.
I'd love to hear from anyone who has ever done that or who thinks it might be a good thing to do.