Red Room Where the Writers Are

I posted this some time ago. Today, I received an email of thanks because it helped someone. I thought it might be worth setting out again for any writer who might be spelling impaired or grammatically challenged.

Plus, for dyslexic writers of all ages there is hope. You can improve your writing skills. Here are some of my tried and true writing tricks for challenged writers.

- Start A List -

Almost every writer has a list of words they will never spell correctly no matter how hard they try or how many times they practice. Sometimes we can't even spell the words well enough for spell check to identify.

I'm dyslexic. My personal list contains about twenty words. Some of my words are:

address...their...grammar...necessary...source... senses...scenes...tomorrow

I've seen even fairly good spellers have problems with words like:

Nausea... presence... superfluous 

Make a list of your problem words. Keep it by your side. This will save you the time and frustration of trying to find them each time you need them.

- Start At The Beginning -

In the primary grades, a resources are exhausted. The point of grammar is often missed by students struggling to read and write because reading and spelling is a priority.. 

If not for the ‘70s shows the Electric Company and Schoolhouse Rock , I wouldn't know a noun from a verb.

When you decide to take up writing. Get a good grasp on basic grammar rules.

Try the fun links above and keep an eye out for books, articles, and websites you enjoy.

Grammar Snobs are Great Big Meanies, and Mortal Syntax: 101 Language Choices That Will Get You Clobbered by the Grammar Snobs, by June Casagrande, are a joy to read and will have you laughing.

- Find a Reader-

Ask someone you trust read some of your work. Let them help you come up with a list of common grammar mistakes and errors a spell check does not correct because they are words.

This list might include...a/an....your/you're...their/they're...loose/lose...yeah/yea...lay/lie...its/it's... bowl/bowel. The list can go on, but it's a start.

Plurals are another issue. Examples: tourist/tourists...ghost/ghosts

Keep your personal list with you while you edit as a reminder of common mistakes.

This is a nice simple article about  Common Errors  to help you identify other possible problem words.

- Sit On It -

After you write something it's very tempting to send a query or manuscript out right away. Do your best to sit on it a day or two...don't look at it . . . don't even think about it . . . then print it and read each word slowly aloud.

Why?

Reading aloud will slow you down.  Slow down and you will catch the errors.

Dyslexics have a gift for making visual corrections and filling in the blanks. Words appear where they don't belong or don't even exist  outside of the dyslexic's mind. You need to really slow down.

- Get A Good Reference -

The Quick Study Academic Grammar and Punctuation Sheet by BarCharts is great for quick look ups. You can find one at a bookstore or Mailboxes USA. 

There are hundreds of reference books on the market. Don't waste your time buying the "best" because it may only confuse you and end up on your dust shelf. Go to the book store, look through the selections, and find one that suits YOU, that is in a voice YOU can understand. 

- Write Often -

Writing a lot will help you catch errors faster and will make you a stronger writer.

- Read -

Comics, news, books and blogs . . . It doesn't matter what you read as long as you are reading daily.

- Be Proud -

If you're writing and love it be proud of your creativity and accomplishments. Pride will carry you past the jeers and nasty comments from grammar snobs and spelling bee champions who don't understand.

And if you need support I'm here . . . really.

(By the way I didn't sit on this, so I'll have to come back later to see my mistakes:)