I’m Veronica Belmont and This Is How I Work
Even if you just give a cursory attention to the tech culture on the Internet, Veronica Belmont will probably be familiar to you. For nearly a decade, Veronica has posted and produced podcasts and videos on CNET, Tekzilla Revision3, and now Engadget Dear Veronica, along with a dozen other projects.
For someone who produces so much, I’m not sure how she finds the time to read so many books, stay up to date with tech news and still literally climb mountains on the weekend, so we caught up with Veronica to find out a little about how she works.
Venue: San Francisco, California. Current performance : Host Dear Veronica for Engadget, Co-host of Sword & Laser and Vaginal Fantasy Book Club Shows. One word that best describes how you work: Insanely modern mobile device: iPhone 6 Current computer: MacBook Pro late 2013 for my work machine. My gaming computer is Doghouse Systems Armor TL-580, released a couple of years ago. No need to update yet!
What apps, software or tools can’t you live without?
Wow, where do I start? I bet everyone says so. Slack has definitely become indispensable for me and my various projects. We use it to talk about production, share files, tell stories and GIFs. So many GIFs.
I’m also a huge fan of 1Password and use it on almost every computer and device I own. I don’t even know what passwords I have, for better or for worse. Audible and Overcast are my favorite audio apps as I certainly need to keep up to date with book club news and my favorite podcasts.
I write almost everything in Simplenote simply because it is so concise. I love that it syncs across my devices too. When I really want to dig deeper into the writing pit, I use the OmmWriter . Most of my NaNoWriMo projects have been done on this and sometimes on Scrivener .
How is your workplace arranged?
I do all the preparatory work at my permanent desk in my home office. Writing, social media, etc. – everything happens there (and games too)! I use the Varidesk app to remind me when to stand or sit during the day, even though my real standing desk is from Jarvis.
When my husband works from home, we usually work together at the dinner table or in front of the TV (if the giants are on). I’m not a big cafe worker, I’m too distracted.
What’s your best time-saver or life hack?
I use a lot of startup services that San Francisco has to offer! I use Rinse for my dry cleaning, often ordering lunch from Sprig , Instacart for my groceries, and Shyp if I need to send anything using FedEx or UPS. Even if none of them live to be five years old, I will use them as long as I can to make my life a little easier. I, too, have been a huge fan of Fancy Hands for many years, especially for helping me with my travel research.
What’s your favorite to-do list manager?
I still haven’t found a perfect fit, but I’m currently using Wunderlist . I use it primarily because there is a Chrome browser plugin that allows me to see my to-do list every time I open a new browser window. It might be overkill, but it reminds me of everything I need to do!
What device, besides a phone and a computer, can you not live without and why?
My Kindle! I still use the original Paperwhite, but I carry it with me everywhere. With two book clubs, I must read every chance I get!
What are some of the things you do best in everyday life? What’s your secret?
I’m a dog handler.
What do you listen to while you work?
Sometimes I use an ambient noise app like Noizio for OS X. Sometimes I like electronics for background music when I work. Words or conversations distract me too much.
What are you reading now?
SO MANY BOOKS! Right now, for Sword and Laser, we’re reading Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. As for Vaginal Fantasy, we read Lady of the Chief of Espionage by Joanna Bourne. I also listen to Aziz Ansari’s Modern Romance . This is no joke about Lifehacker, but my guilty pleasure for reading on the internet is Gawker.
How do you replenish?
Hiking! My husband ( Ryan Block ) and I go hiking almost every weekend. We often take our dog Bodega with us. We have just completed our first tourist trip to Half Dome in Yosemite. It was amazing! Unfortunately Bodega was unable to join us.
I also play video games to relax. Right now I’m playing Heroes of the Storm and The Witcher 3 . I’m really looking forward to Fallout 4; this is one of my favorite gaming franchisees.
What is your sleep routine? Are you a night owl or get up early?
I read before bed and it usually helps. I’m somewhere in between: go to bed around midnight and wake up around 7:30 am.
Fill in the blank: I would like _________ to answer these same questions.
John Scalzi ! He writes so much that I want to know how he does it.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Answer, don’t react.
What else would you like to add that might be of interest to readers and fans?
No, but if YOU guys have any questions, send them using the hashtag # Dear Veronica !