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

[Jewel]

I would like to suggest taking classes through Hadley School for the
Blind. THey have classes on grammar, punctuation, and writing. Check
out their catalog and give it a go; it's free to all blind people and
you can go at your own pace. I hope you give it a try.
~Jewel

On 2/25/13, Julie J. <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:
> 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
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> blindtlk:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/herekittykat2%40gmail.com
>