Three things that help me as a dyslexic writer

Writing is a unique journey for each of us, but for individuals with dyslexia, it can come with its own set of challenges. Dyslexia is a learning difference that affects reading, spelling, and writing abilities. However, it doesn’t mean that becoming a writer is an impossible dream. In fact, many successful writers have dyslexia, and they’ve developed strategies to overcome obstacles and thrive in the world of words. In this post, I’ll share three things that have helped me as a dyslexic writer, in the hopes that they might inspire and assist others on their writing journey.

1. I Edit while I Write.

Most writing blogs or books will advise against editing while you write because it can distract from the creative process. For me, it’s simpler and less frustrating to write a few sentences or a paragraph and then do a quick read-through to make sure what I typed is cohesive. I found if I don’t edit while I write, then later, I can become overwhelmed from deciphering what I was attempting to articulate in a scene in the first place. 

2. Embrace Assistive Technology

While spellcheck in Google Docs is helpful, it isn’t enough for me. It’s not uncommon for me to mix up words when writing. An editing plug-in is much more likely to spot these mix-ups.

For example:

• Desert and Dessert
• Manner and Manor

Although I know the difference between these words, my brain doesn’t immediately spot the mistakes.

This isn’t some revolutionary hack for most people, but it saves me from a lot of ridiculous errors. Prowriting Aid is my go to.

3. I Change the Fonts of my Documents when Editing

It’s extremely common for writers to change their font when editing, and I often see some of my fellow indie authors mention this when they talk about their writing process. From a scientific standpoint, some fonts are more manageable for the brain to translate than others. That also includes the dyslexic brain. Fonts like Arial and Comic Sans are crisp, clear, and less crowded, so, therefore, easier to spot errors.

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