Connecting Readers and Writers discussion

Here is an article I wrote a while ago about my struggles as a dyslexic writer. (some of you who have been on here a while may have noticed that). The article blew up, and I got tons of emails from other writers who found motivation through seeing what someone else has had to overcome.
http://ellelapraim.com/dyslexia-autho...

So what have you had to overcome in your writing career? Or, what have you had to overcome in order to be a writer?

I am dyslexic as well so spelling can be a real kick in the butt, but I just push past it because I love writing so much, books have always been part of my life.

Great article, Elle. I am also dyslexic, as well as an over-comer of multiple learning disorders. Poor self esteem and fear tend to accompany these issues— as anyone who's dealt with them knows.

My extended family isn't terribly supportive. They don't see writing as a serious endeavor and don't approve of my YA urban fantasy genre. Different members will often ask why I won't write something serious or 'important'. *sigh*

I love to write. I would write if no one read a word, but I love to share my imagination with others. And so, for those who share my love of reading, writing, and my disabilities, we press on, eh? :)

Julie wrote: "Great article, Elle. I am also dyslexic, as well as an over-comer of multiple learning disorders. Poor self esteem and fear tend to accompany these issues— as anyone who's dealt with them knows.

..."

I know how you feel Julie, but look, now at least you know Ottilie and me! I love that your family tells you to write something important, as if you could find a person between the ages of 10 and 20 who doesn't say Harry Potter, and The Hunger Games changed their life. Keep up the good fight. People always put down what they don't understand. Just think how stupid people in the neighborhood thought Steve Jobs was when he was building computers in his garage.

My family is surprisly supportive of my writing, and my dad is dyslexic also so I think he gets a little more excited for my writing. Psh serious books what's the fun in writing that?? Stick to what you love or what else do it? Yay our little group of dyslexic authors :)

:) I like our group. Pretty cool. (((hugs)))

I know people give up all sorts of things for their craft. Jobs, money, time, health, rejection, continued writer's block. There are a lot of ways a person may overcome. A writer's world is lonesome sometimes. It's nice to meet up and share similar details of our journey.

Honestly I feel like I've had it pretty easy in comparison.

Well here's what I ~do~ have to overcome: I don't have the freedom to just "Do this." I have to work full time to pay for the mortgage. I can't just move back home and try to write for a while, or spend 2 years waiting for someone to buy a manuscript. All of my writing has to be packed in and around a full time job, taking care of a newborn, taking care of a 4 year old, maintaining a house, and "Living" a middle class, middle aged life.

Julie I try not to think of as lonely, but more so of dealing with less stupid people...

had to overcome a full-time job that was getting in the way.

Ottilie wrote: "I am dyslexic as well so spelling can be a real kick in the butt, but I just push past it because I love writing so much, books have always been part of my life."

I'm a dyslexia specialist teacher, so although I don't have dyslexia myself, I understand the problems it causes. I'm full of admiration for you guys. What have I had to overcome? Hmmm, nothing really except the usual time constraints and fitting everything into my life. I've been very lucky in that my family have been hugely supportive, ever since I started writing at age six!

My own stupidity and willingness to listen to "advice" from other not-so-successful authors... ;-)

I have a lot of time on my hands, so that luckily hasn't been a problem for me.

I really feel for you guys with dyslexia, that must be tough.

My wife has always been supportive of my hobby, so that's never been an issue for me.

I guess the only thing I had to overcome was my own very reserved personality and my own self doubts. Big enough on their own!

My wife has always been supportive of my hobby, so that's never been an issue for me.

Does fear count?

I did the math last night and it hit me how much it's going to cost us to keep both kids in Daycare for the summer so I can write full time. I know I can't complain too much ($65/day is a bargain) but that adds up quickly. And I have to have something to show for it on Sept 1. I can't just get to the end of the summer and have "nothing".

THe more I think on it the more fearful I am that this "experiment" will be a marriage shaker...

Rob wrote: "My wife has always been supportive of my hobby, so that's never been an issue for me.

Does fear count?

I did the math last night and it hit me how much it's going to cost us to keep both kids in..."

Yes fear counts. You are overcoming a lot of unknowns to pursue your dream and that sort of risk is scary. I keep telling myself not to be defined by my rejections. Failure just means I tried. You are being brave, Rob. Press on!

Elle, if I knew anyone who was dyslexic I'd pass on your post to them. Very interesting.

As for me, among the usualy writer challenges - finding time, obtaining support, accessing writer networks, money, etc - is also the fact that I live on a tiny island with about 17,000 people. There's no writing community, no opportunity to interact with authors at all levels of success, and very little understanding among people of just what a writer's life is like and what it entails.

I had to do a lot of soul searching in writing my latest novel which deals with different forms of domestic abuse. I cried a lot while writing it. I was hoping that this book would help other women to gain strength and hope, but I also healed myself some through the female characters. Putting things on the pages that were humiliating, embarrassing, and just wrong on so many levels, took a lot of courage. I actually got flashbacks while writing some parts. So, I think that writing through the pain was the biggest obstacle for me. Finding the courage to tackle this story was up there too.

Elizabeth wrote: "Ottilie wrote: "I am dyslexic as well so spelling can be a real kick in the butt, but I just push past it because I love writing so much, books have always been part of my life."

I'm a dyslexia sp..."

Thanks Elizabeth! Ugh time is hard to find!!

One very direct problem I have to overcome as a writer is that due to previous injuries I have nerve damage in my hands. It always hurts, but some days it is very painful to type or write, or having the needed control to keep from constantly misspelling is more difficult. Some days I can't hold a pencil or eating utensil without shaking, yet I am compelled to write anyway.

As with @Terri my latest novel was fiction, but its semi-autobiographical in nature, dealing with the adult aftereffects of being abused as a child. I had to finish the story yet it brought very fully back to me the years of suffering I endured. Therefore my other problem is I've had to put all my writing projects and sequels on hold until I finish my memoir where I can fully speak of what happened to me. The release is needed. The first chapters are posted here at Goodreads, which isn't intended to be advertisement as its not published, but to demonstrate how one's life and experiences can even affect your writing ability and productivity.

It's been really tough lately, but recently I had a friend and fan write me and say that sometimes readers (and even some other writers) forget that authors have real life and real problems also. Some only look at you as entertainment and expect you to produce and produce, or your work is well reviewed or treated derisively as if you are not a person also.

Like others also, making the step last year to full-time writing which is always chancy financially, and then now I can't write at the moment? Naja, it's a conundrum but one just does what one can.

@red - have you tried voice recognition software?

Tony wrote: "@red - have you tried voice recognition software?"

I did a trial on Dragonfly at suggestion from a writer friend who has MS, and absolutely had to use it, but I have very accented English when speaking. So that didn't work for me at the time, but I should look into it again or another type. That's a good idea, thanks for reminding me.

The Curse/Blessing of the Day Job taking me away from my characters for 9 hours/day.

And using the Internet when I should be writing.

Paula

my urge to delete everything I write, believing it is stupid!

Paula wrote: "The Curse/Blessing of the Day Job taking me away from my characters for 9 hours/day.

And using the Internet when I should be writing.

Paula"

Lol! I completely agree with this one! The internet is a temptation I find hard to resist.

Haha Sonya that is totally normal!

This is such a deep question it's p. much impossible for me to gauge, as I've worked as a writer full-time (at newspapers, mostly) since the age of 18.

It's been my entire life. A lot of it has been very rewarding, particularly those few times when I've had real space -- thousands of words -- to deal with a non-fiction subject.

But the general degradation of the industry has been difficult and there have been many moral and personal conflicts to overcome over the years.

I guess I'm thankful my physiological limitations have been limited to injury and mild mental illness -- chronic anxiety based in the usual social/communal trust issues that plague many writers. I have some nerve damage, too, and carpal, but it doesn't sound like it compares to what Red deals with and I've faced nothing that required Terri's bravery.

i've always wanted to work at a newspaper.

also have had to overcome the fear of querying, fear of rejection, and fear that my work just isn't good enough. the last one is gone, and the first two are hanging by a thread, and i've got scissors!

Richard wrote: "i've always wanted to work at a newspaper."

Sure ain't what it used to be, Richard.

The isolation required. Nips into your social life.

when i was in college i worked on the school paper. i loved the immediacy, the juggling of stories, the prioritizing, running for quotes and questions. however, i'm sure a real paper is faaar different.

Red wrote: "I did a trial on Dragonfly at suggestion from a writer friend who has MS, and absolutely had to use it, but I have very accented Eng..."

You should try a tape recorder and then hire someone to type it up for you- that way your accent won't be an issue.

Scarlett wrote: "Red wrote: "I did a trial on Dragonfly at suggestion from a writer friend who has MS, and absolutely had to use it, but I have very accented Eng..."

You should try a tape recorder and then hire so..."

Wow that is a noce idea. I am looking for a personal secretary myself to write my written drafts. i have more than 10 notebooks filled with drafts and ideas.