The Plotmonkeys recently tried something new that I’d like to share with everyone today. Mainly, because I think it’s just the COOLEST thing ever! Even though the four of us go on our plotting retreats, there are plenty of times during the year that we each need to plot parts of our story. Mostly we’ve done this type of plotting during one-on-one phone conversations with one another, or whoever we feel will help us most for what we need to plot. Then a few weeks ago Julie suggested we try using Skype, to see if maybe we could all meet together in a conference video to do our plotting – and to visit.
Leslie is writing madly to finish up a book, so Julie, Carly and I decided to test out Skype and see how it works. Since Carly already had a webcam on her laptop, Julie and I bought a webcam for our desktops. This weekend we logged onto Skype, but unfortunately we had a lot of issues with the program and weren’t able to make it work for all of us. Julie and I had problems with the audio, Carly couldn’t see us, and it just got to the point that it was frustrating to deal with.
However, we weren’t deterred. Julie and Carly came across another video conferencing site called Oovoo that had great user reviews. It was so easy to set up, and easier for all of us to use! Within a few minutes we had a three way conference video set up! All three of our webcams showed up on our monitors, and we could see and hear each other through a live feed. It was just the coolest thing! And so much fun! We plotted an aspect of Carly’s story that she was having issues with, and it was as though we were in a hotel room on one of our plotting retreats! We were able to see each others kids, and all of our dogs sat on our laps and said hello, too. I felt so connected to Carly and Julie, and we decided that we need to do this often – even if it’s just to chat. This is what our chat screen looked like:
This video conferencing is all new to me, but I’m hooked. I’m thinking of getting a webcam for my mother for Christmas so we can talk “live” too while seeing one another.
So, how many of you have a webcam? Have you ever used Skype or another video conferencing program to stay in touch with friends or loved ones? If not, I highly recommend it!
Janelle Denison finds it hard to believe that it’s been nearly 20 years since she first started writing romance novels. At first, it was a way to pass idle time while her husband worked swing shift, but before long it became an obsession to get published. Luckily, she kept at it (it took her over 5 years to get that first book published!) and is now a Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and USA Today Bestselling author! Now, after selling over 40 plus novels, she finds that her Plotmonkey pals help to keep her stories fresh and unique, and she can’t imagine writing a story without their input. Janelle lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, along with two teenage daughters that keep life interesting.
3 Seductions and a Wedding
Hot Number
Play With Me
Wild For Him
Subscribe to Posts 
Comment
Nope, don’t have it. At this time I really have no desire for it. I mean I can definitely understand the appeal, especially talking to loved ones who live far away, but I’m not ready for it LOL. Glad you guys enjoyed it though.
Comment
Heahter has one on her Mac and they have used Skype at school when they all couldn’t get together as a group for a project. I have one on my netbook, and have skype downloaded but haven’t used it yet. To be honest, I forget about it.
I will have to look into this other program. It might work better as I know they had problems when they were skypping.
I would get my mother a webcam, but not sure I want to know what is going on there at home!
Comment
My girls use their iChat on their Macs all the time with friends. But for me, to see my very best friends in between trips that are just so few, was the biggest treat for me! I was SO happy afterwards!
On another note, I said to hubby, in this day and age you can be a shut in, get food delivered and STILL see the outside world. Not that anyone should have to be … but the possibilities for people are truly endless!
Comment
I had a friend that live in Russia for a while and we would talk about twice a month on Skype. It was so great to keep up with her and free to boot. My oldest niece keeps up with her friends on Skype all the time. Now that she has a webcam, I guess we need to start talking on Skype too so I can see my family each week.
Comment
Yup, I’ve used Skype conferencing. I used to travel for work and it was great to have that option to see the hubby and kidlet.
Although, it probably wasn’t the best thing for a young child because she just didn’t understand. She wanted to touch her mommy and she couldn’t. Daddy did not enjoy the aftermath of that conference call. :)
I think it’s great technology though. Some day I suspect our phones will be integrated with video as a default. :)
Comment
I don’t have a web cam. I’m glad it worked out for you guys and you were able to “get together”. Very cool. Having that close bond with each other must be wonderful.
Have a great day all,
Cher :jive:
Comment
How fun! I know that you and Carly IM each other every morning, but this would be so much fun. I know that the talk shows use Skype all of the time. One of my friends uses Skype for her kids to talk to her parents (they live a state away). They really enjoy it and her folks love to see the kids.
I have to tell you all a funny story (this is so unrelated!). My oldest son (with autism) is so cute. Ever since the first day of November, he has been packing (yes, literally) his ‘friends’ (stuffed animals) for Thanksgiving. We’re going to my folks’. He is so excited. This is the most well-planned out trip. If we had something like Skype, he’d be talking to my mom all day long about his visit to her.
Comment
I couldn’t help but laugh at the picture, Janelle…our backgrounds are quite that clean! At least my office isn’t, LOL!!! Luckily, they’ve both seen me without my hair and makeup done, in my pajamas, so it was nothing new. And yeah, my daughter got a huge kick out of being able to see her mother’s friends.
Now, Leslie, finish up that book so we can get you on!
Comment
Yup – we Skype with our nephews, who are away at college, all the time. (ok, really my son uses it to hang w/his cousins, but we’ve been known to get in on the action occasionally).
Comment
Janelle, This gift sounds great for your mom. As a mother of adult kids, I don’t think there can’t be anything more wonderful for her to receive. Hopefully, she is electronically “with it” or has someone who is that can help her set it up. I can’t even access the video on my computer
As for me, I stay away from technology as much as I can in today’s world, as do both of my siblings who live in PA & So. Lake Tahoe. As that’s the total # in our family, it doesn’t look promising for us but sounds great for all of you.
Patricia
Comment
I have iChat on my Macbook. I love it at holiday times when extended *heart* family can’t be there.
Comment
I used to use Skype all the time with my friends in Europe. Also, freshmen year of college I talked to my friends from high school. It was fun and convenient for awhile, but eventually we all kind of moved on and it just fizzled out. I tried to get my mom on it, but she doesn’t seem to have much interest in it.
Happy Monday!
<3 J
Comment
My oldest son’s girlfriend left for college this fall. They skype everyday.
Young love….whatever!
Tami
Comment
My husband’s aunt had terminal cancer and when she was no longer able to travel my son set up Skype on my inlaws computer so they could still visit. They would all “get together” at least one day over the weekend, and usually it ended up being multiple visits on both Saturday and Sunday.
I haven’t done it personally, but I think it’s a great thing. I’ve considered getting a webcam for my mom, so that we could visit that way too. But then I’d be stuck to the computer. I usually end up folding laundry or fixing dinner, or some other household chore while I’m on the phone with her, so I hesitate to tie myself down that way.
Glad it worked so well for you!!
Comment
To high tech for me.
My daughter used Skype early this year to keep in contact with her BF while she was visiting family in Europe last semester. They had a blast seeing each other in their PJ’s.
Comment
:givethanks:
Comment
You don’t have to have a webcam to use Skype, just lets you see the person on the other end. Sometimes it goes faster without one.
Comment
Should have said just lets the person on the other end see you. Oops.
Comment
Thanks Lisa! My oldest grandson has a webcam but I don’t know if he is using much anymore. He is 20 & I think he was probably using for his music and maybe when he was dating his girlfriend! She broke up with him.
:fallleaf:
Comment
I don’t have a webcam – they seem to be built into most laptops these days and my current computer is on its last legs so there’s not much point in me getting a webcam.
I’ve used Skype in the past – mainly with family who live locally. I found it was easier just to pick up the phone and call them. I can definitely see the benefits of using Skype for keeping contact with people who are further away.
Comment
Good afternoon Janelle!
How cool was that for you all! To be able to really connect like that, totally awesome! it’s like a group hug on-line. 
Unfortunately I don’t have one on my laptop. 
I got it for my husband’s co-worker for a $200 and he is servicing it for free including add anti-virus and extra programing for free. 
It’s not fancy but it serves it purpose. I just I could add a web cam but no one else in my family has one either. 
I hope everyone else is nice and warm today… here is an example of what we have in NW Missouri—
and this 
:meepcold:
Comment
My new laptop and my netbook both have webcams on them, but I haven’t used them except to play around with them. That’s a good idea about getting one for your mom. I bet my mom’s new laptop has one. I should see about connecting with her. She’d love that!
Comment
Hey Janelle, that is awesome. I heard alot about Skype, especially when it first came out. One of my former students told me about it. I was wary about using it, but I am really considering doing it. When I went to Korea two summers ago, they actually had a phone service that used Skype as well.
I don’t own a webcam…primarily because I really don’t look that great on camera. I may be getting one though…still on the fence about that. Glad you guys were able to “meet” and figure out Carly’s plotting issues.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment
nope…don’t have one…and I’m not sure I’d want everyone seeing me at my worst…or better yet in jammies…or…nothing at all??? Just kidding…lmao…maybe not….