Help for a budding writer

[Marona the Marauder]

okay so heres the deal:

I've been reading anything I could get my hands on since I was old enough, and writing for just about as long. I've been told by many people I'm rather good at it and I would love to become a publish writer some day. My problem is mechanics, which any normal writer already has ingrained in their mind. Unfortunately it was discovered when I was already an adult that I suffer from both ADD and mild dyslexia, making the learning process for me a bit harder, as concepts that come easier to others don't as much to me. My college told me that I should just shell out more money for these remedial english classes, which I can neither afford nor fit into my schedule that already includes bother fulltime work and full time school.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what I might be able to do, such as home tutorials or similar things?

Please Help,

Marona

[Madam Macaw]

Do you have anyone in your classes that are good and want to help. You might pay a smaller tutor fee if need be. It wouldn't hurt to ask.

[Red Maria]

First thing I can think of is getting The Chicago Maunal of Style, It's a manual for writing that the standard for anyone writing for academic publication. It gives all the stadard guidles for grammer etc. It's good thing to have around. I have a really good book on creative writing packed away I think it's just called creative writing but I haven't seen it in over a year.

You might want to look at University online courses too.

[Capt Grey]

Don't forget the internet.

I'm sure there are hundreds of sites that give tips to aspiring writers. ADD and dyslexia have nothing to do with your talent; if you want to write, you will. It's an obsession and you can't stop.

Trust me, I know.

[Black Syren]

I want to be published as well..I have recently started writing for Pan Historia and I love it. It's free and i think it helps my writing. Check into it.

[Red Maria]

I remembered! It's On Writing Well by William Zinsser. He's really good on explaining things in a clear, consise manner. Also his book Writing to Learn. Another good one is Elements of Style by William Strunk & E.B. White (of Sturat Little fame). Another consise, easy to read but, very helpful book on writing in English.

There must be students who are English majors who would tutor you for very little money. Why not post something on a college bulletin board saying what you need and how much you can afford?

Good luck and don't give up!

[Marona the Marauder]

Thanks guys!!

I'll be looking into the books (and the internet^_^) ASAP. Siren--I took a quick look at that site..seems right up my alley. I used to say I wanted to be the next tolkien, now I say I want to be the first Christin...err, Marona^_~. And don't worry, I might not have much time to dedicate to it now but I'll NEVER give up!

Thanks for all your kind words!

[Black Syren]

LOL I drive my writing partners crazy..I love to write..And I even got an award with one of my partners..it was the first time I ever won anything about me writing..Aye I hope you join. There are lot of people there who will help you..

[Olaf Grumby]

To truely be a good writer, just write. The creative and nontechnical aspects of your writing are the most important points to remember. Any anal person can write in perfect grammer just by memorizing rules. Full characterization and the ability to tell a moving narrative are the bedrock of all fictional writing. If you need help in story building study the classics such as Tolkein, Shakesphere and Asimov. Rules are for the publisher. Send the pub some of your writng we'll be glad to read it and give you an honest opinion. I'll be happy to read anything you have. So write and write some more. Build great Stories and the rest will easily fall into place.

[Marona the Marauder]

yeah, thats sounds like an Idea for me. I thinkI'll turn my persona bio into a short story and yall can tell me what ya think. I've never written anything even semi-historical so this should be fun:-)

[Madam Macaw]

yeah, thats sounds like an Idea for me. I thinkI'll turn my persona bio into a short story and yall can tell me what ya think. I've never written anything even semi-historical so this should be fun:-)

Can't wait to read it! I am sure it will be great!

[Captain Tito]

Aye m'lass all the mentioned books and online services be very fine advice.

As far as helping with your dyslexia, where do you go to college?

Is it in an area that maybe you can find a local service of some sort that helps people, since your college won't?

You'll make it though.

We believe in ya!!

[queenrogue]

Many college's have writing centers, and often the help is free. also i have always been told that to help with writing keep a journal and write in it daily, even if you write about having nothing to write about. i agree with Olaf, leave the details to a publisher, you just worry about writing.

[hurricane]

Olaf is right on. I've been a writer for 20 years now, and my writing is more likely to break many of the traditional rules than adhere to them. Write as much as you can. If you want some guidance let Word run the grammar and readability check for you... But don't get bogged down in how others label you. I've been Dyslexic all my life - it's not something you ever get over or are cured of, you only learn to deal with the learning disability by using alternative methods to learn. Memory and visualization exercises help, but I can still read faster upside down and backwards than forwards. You obviously have me beat in that area... and yet I've managed to get paid very well to write. It's all in your head... learn the craft of storytelling. Focus more on this lost craft to bring your writing to life and the rules be damned...

[Olaf Grumby]

How's the writing going. Hope we helped. Inspiration run wioth large amounts o' rum. I'd like to read some soon.

[Capt. Z]

matie! me sees a place once here on da net, they give ye 5 centaros per word fer stories, an' 30 to 60 dabloons per poem....

yehar! it be thepedestalmagazine.com er sumtin

best o wishes

[Marona the Marauder]

hey guys!!

Sorry I dissapeared for so long, but I was on vacation back home in colorado and didn't have access to a computer. Thanks again for all the help, and believe it or not I'm inadvertently getting help with my writing from my yoga philosophy professor who used to be an english professor! We do journal enteries ever week and shes letting me know where my weak points are in my mechanics. Unfortunately I think I bit off more than I can chew with the fulltimeschool/full time work thing, and haven't gotten very far on any of my writing, either the short story or the worldbuilding for the book I wanna write. I told olaf that hopefully I'll have something next week since I'm camping this weekend and should have some writing time.

[Daniela]

As for the mild dislexia, write in a different color ink and use a different color font such as orange, red or green. It really does help. Also when considering you attention get a small tape recorder to put your thoughts down on. I have one friend that uses Naturally Speaking Dragon for all of her writing. It takes time and patience but can work great! Hope this helps.