[stylist] Being A Blind Writer

[PAUL BAVER]

Yes Sir Justin, what great advice, it's the best  advice that I've heard in 
a long time, your advice is positive, and full of self appreciation to be 
blest with a talent, my glass is never half empty, it's always half full, 
tell me I can't and I'll tell everyone, just watch me I will. Thank you 
Justin for your breath of fresh air. Paul E Baver
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Justin Oldham" <j.oldham at gci.net>
To: "writers nfb" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 31, 2011 11:35 PM
Subject: [stylist] Being A Blind Writer


Being A Blind Writer



By Justin Oldham



Many of us who are visually impaired do like to write.  Some of us are
meticulous researchers, while others are passionate story tellers.  In some
cases, we can’t bring ourselves to face the challenges associated with
publishing.  We’re afraid of rejectin,

or it seems too hard.



I’d like to take a few moments of your time to put those fears to rest.
Writing is a form of art, which means there is no one right way to do it.
Putting words together on a page is the kind of thing you do to entertain by
telling a story, or make a point by presenting observations that back up
your opinion.



I won’t sugar coat this for you.  There many obstacles to being a writer,
with or without good eye sight.  Some publishers will hesitate to work with
blind writers if they don’t think you can do the work.  Put their minds at
ease by submitting completed manuscripts.  Doing this one simple thing sends
a clear message to skeptics that you can finish what your start.



Don’t make an issue of your blindness when dealing with publishers.  It’s
ironic, but the process of submitting your work is supposed to be “blind,”
in the first place.  All they need to “see” is your name, your contact
information, and the contents of your whole manuscript.



The real secret to completing just one short story or an entire book is to
write what you know.  Tell the story that you want read, or do the homework
and write about some person, place, or thing that you like.  Don’t worry
about what other people might think or say about your work.  Just do it.



Some people can’t give themselves permission to write.  You don’t ever have
to publish, but you do have to get past your fear before you can choose the
words that will tell your story.  It’s easy to think you’re not “good
enough.”  It’s too easy to think you don’t have hat it takes.  Nobody else
can green light your work.  Real “permission” comes from you.



I was a writer for many years before I started by own publishing company . I
struggled just like anyone else.  I’ve got for books to my credit, and
another four more on the way.  My low vision does not now, nor has it ever,
held me back.  I’m good at what I do because I’ve got lots of practice.
Everything you read in this article is based on my experience.



Books and short stories have one thing in common.  They are begin with the
very first word that you choose.  Everything else that happens after that is
a matter of time, patience, and perseverance.  You’ve got to stick to it,
even when others tell you it’s a waste of time.  Don’t be mad at them for
saying things like that, because they don’t understand what you’re going
through.  They’re not the writer.  You are.

JUSTIN OLDHAM is the founder of Shadow Fusion Books.  He’s the author of
Being Legally Blind, and Tales from the Kodiak Starport.  He lives with his
wife in Anchorage, Alaska.  Find him online at www.justin-oldham.com or
www.shadowfusionbooks.com





_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site:
http://www.nfb-writers-division.org <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>

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