[Blindtlk] Suggestions on being a better writer being blind later in life

[Julie J.]

I think you have the potential to be a great writer!  You express your 
feelings and your thoughts very well.  You are right, your grammar could 
be improved.  I think things like spelling, grammar and punctuation are 
easily learned though, much easier than learning how to express yourself.

You said that you are tired of being ridiculed on lists because of 
something beyond your control.  Firstly I applaud you for recognizing 
something that could use improvement and taking steps to work on it.  
that takes courage.  But, I think it's also important to recognize that 
you do have control over this aspect of your life.  You can learn 
spelling and grammar.  I think you know that though. *smile*

I don't consider myself to be a great writer, or even really good, just 
average.  I'm horrid at using commas correctly. *smile*  So I have had 
to learn to be aware and think more deliberately about my writing in 
order to improve.  things that I have found that have helped me:
*read, like a lot.  Read the classics and well respected writers.  I 
paid attention to how they put sentences together.   I read books on 
writing.  NLS has some.  I found quite a few from Audible.  There are 
also loads of free resources on the internet.  I subscribe to 6-8 blogs 
on writing. I like audio books for learning concepts and ideas, but for 
learning spelling and punctuation I think Braille works better.
*write, every day.  I don't think it matters too much what you write, 
email to friends, journal entries, chapters in a fiction book you are 
creating...just write.
*get feedback, this one was a bit tough for me.  I still struggle, but 
less so than in the very beginning.  I have spent the past three years 
writing a book.  It was one of my life goals. It was time consuming and 
a lot of hard work. Actually printing it for the first time and handing 
it over to friends for them to read and provide honest feedback, now 
that was brutal. People were kind though.  I had built up all these 
imaginings of how horrid they would think the book was and how I was a 
writing failure and on and on and on.  In the end it was only my 
thoughts that were getting in the way.  I got some very nice comments 
and lots of really good suggestions on improvements I could make.  I 
have one more round of editing and then it's on it's way to publishing.

I think Hadley is an awesome resource and fits in very well with your 
goals and needs.  I highly recommend them.  I've mentioned a few 
resources above.  have you explored services through your state 
rehabilitation agency.  I don't know if that is a possibility or what 
exactly they might be able to offer, but it's a thought.  You could also 
look for a tutor through a local high school or college.  A lot of times 
students need to get in volunteer hours or professional experience 
hours.  The NFB has a writer's division.  There is an email list and a 
monthly telephone seminar with various writing topics.   The Writer's 
Division is geared more toward writing as a career, but I'm sure you 
would be welcome there.

HTH
Julie