I was one of those kids who was called stupid and retarded because
I couldn't grasp reading and I sure as hell couldn't spell, we won't even
mention math. Growing up, there was a weekly spelling test in my 5th
grade class. Every Thursday I would pretend I was sick, going as far as to heat
my forehead with the hot bulb from the lamp and sprinkle my face with water,
even making wretched sounds in the bathroom trying to throw up. My mom was no
fool and never fell for my antics, and off to school I was sent.
It wasn't until the end of the six grade that I actually finished a book—a short book, Ramona the
Pest by Beverly Clearly. Eventually I read everything Beverly Clearly wrote. Things
finally started to click in junior high, largely in part to my grandmother who
was an English teacher and realized that I learned in pictures not with
spelling or sounding things out. That's just a crazy practice.
Fast forward to today. I am still razed for my inability to
spell. There are just some words that I will never spell right. The word dyslexia
for one, and anything that has a lot of vowels, and just forget anything that
starts with psy/phy.
How does this affect being a writer? Editing is hard, the
bear of my existence, and I usually spend way more time on editing than a lot
of my writers friends have to. I will
see the right word and it's the wrong word. Unless someone points it out, to me
it is the right word. I miss little things with my posts on social media no
matter how many times I reread them, and yet I'm a writer. I should know this stuff, right? Feeling stupid is
sometimes a daily struggle. I know I'm not stupid, but when a mistake is found,
I am once again that defeated little girl pretending she is sick to get out of
taking a spelling test.
It wasn't until I recognized my own child suffering that I
starting researching dyslexia. For so long this was a thing that I was ashamed
of. Well, that thinking had to change and change quick as my child was not
going through the hell I did! I have mother bear tendencies. What I found was
surprising and I wish I could tell all those who made fun of me the strengths
that dyslexic people have.
When I got deep into the research and realized how many
successful writers were dyslexics, it helped push me to take my writing
seriously. The real problem was finding the courage to let people read my
writing as they were going to pick it apart word by word and make fun of me.
Not to mention opening myself up to REVIEWS! Luckily, I have connected with
some wonderful critique partners who don't judge me, except me for my
eccentricities, and for the creative visual writer that I am. Developing a
tough skin over the years has helped too.
For more information about dyslexia, and a list of 25 famous
Writers including F. Scott Fitzgerald and Agatha Christie—just to name a few—check
out this site. http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/success-stories/famous-authors-with-dyslexia
Another great resource, and the book that changed my life,
is the Gift of Dyslexia by Ronald D. Davis. Here is also a fun youtube video if
you are or know of someone struggling with dyslexia. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEpBujdee8M
Tiffinie Helmer is a USA Today Bestselling Author with
twelve books currently out with her thirteenth, BUSHWHACKED, due to be released
on May 19th. To learn more about her and her books please visit her
website at: http://www.tiffiniehelmer.com
15 comments:
Great blog, my turning point age was 9. I was not diagnosed until age 15. Good to know where in good company. Thank you!
Oops We're I meant we're
You go girl! Great example of how to work with your strengths and become who you are meant to be. :-)
Love me some films, staff,
You cracked me up with the correction. THIS is exactly what I do all the time. Yes, we are in good company. Thank you for commenting.
Thank you, Lynn! We all come to this journey carrying different baggage and I love hearing everyone's story. I hope mine can inspire someone.
This is my experience as well. I actually think this experience is the norm for top writer. We don't actually have dyslexia, which means inability to read. There's a book Linda Silverman which calls us visual-spatial learners. Traditional methods of teaching reading and writing don't work for use but we do other parts of reading and writing really well. She also calls us upside down learners. I think this style of thinking is why we can design book covers. I have a hunch that those who are good at spelling can't.
Lizzie, I like upside down learners. I've been told I learn backwards too. Probably had something to do with how I write and see db's.
Aw, Tiff! I love you and all your eccentricities! You're an amazing person and an amazing writer.
Very nice post...my son & grandson struggled with dyslexia. They both work to conquer it - and succeed most of the time now. Much praise to those who meet the challenge head on & follow their dreams!
Thank you, Cindy, love you too. :)
Jae, many kudos to your son and grandson!
Very interesting post. Thanks for the insight
Thank you for sharing your experience, Tiffinie. Just a reminder that we are all different but you can succeed at your dreams if you really try.
Great post.
I had similar experiences growing up.
The original Dyslexie font is now free for home use
Download it for free at www.dyslexiefont.com/
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