Dyslexic Gift to Writers

My girlfriend has dyslexia and it puts her off writing at all, even emails to close friends and colleagues at work, which, clearly, I think is very sad. I've asked her if she has any interest in writing and the response is "how could I, no one would understand me anyway?". This isn't a flat rejection and it's fairly universal to wish to put pen to paper at some point in your life (something to do with contribution and posterity I believe, as well as a more simple desire for creative leaching). How do you combat naysayers in this arena? What is your advice, aside from confidence? All writers take knocks, dyslexics no different. If you've got a good story to tell there are few barriers to telling it, and dyslexia ought'nt be one of them. Kind regards

I think it's amazing that you are willing to go for your dream despite the difficulties. Very inspiring!

There is nothing strange about wanting to be a writer when you have dyslexia. All dyslexia means is that you process written language differently than others. Signals get crossed, so to speak, when trying to read and write the way most people do. I know of an author who didn't read a book independently until she was fourteen because of her dyslexia. You probably already know the trick of using yellow or green paper when writing. On top of that, we have computer programs such as Kurzweil and Dragon Naturally Speaking, so there is nothing to stop anyone from being a writer.

I've never heard this one and i've been a diagnosed dyslexic since I was in 2nd grade.

I am a dyslexic as well and wish very widely to be a writer, sad part with me is I also have dyscalculia, which can be associated with Dyslexia sometimes, it involves numbers and maps and getting lost cause you can't read the maps or analog clocks. This is also why I have a spell check embedded in my computer, because I often flip words or letters around without ever even noticing that I did it!! I also have a speech impediment where I talk extremely fast and stutter because my brain moves faster then my tongue and fingers can move. So I totally know what you mean about having it as a curse and a gift. A gift because, I had to work at it harder then most everyone I know, and because of that I am a stronger writer then a lot of my immediate people I know- however a curse because i have to CONTINUE working hard at it.

Really? Never heard of it? It's very common around here. For reasons I don't understand, it's much easier for a dyslexic mind to process the letters when it's on yellow paper.

Not being dyslexic, the difference doesn't mean much to me, but I've heard amazing things from people who are.

Hello dyslexic writers - wondering whether you might be interested in contributing something to RASPS next publication. RASP specialises in publishing and promoting dyslexic writers. At the moment, we are gathering momentum for a new publication around the theme of 'disobedience'. More information can be found here: http://on.fb.me/tRY2Rp

Have a cool Yule.