Working as an Author with Dyslexia
Writer: Stephanie L. Jones
I never set out to become an author. It wasn’t a goal in my life, until it was.
Writing was the furthest career or side hustle on my radar. In junior high, when I had to write a report, I’d go to the library, gather as many books on a particular subject, copy and paste everything, and then interchange all the words, so I wasn’t technically plagiarizing. But let’s be real, that is what I was doing.
I had no idea how to write.
The school years
Book reports were worse. I hated reading, with a capital H A T E.
I’d read the first and last chapter, skim the middle, maybe track down cliff notes, and wing the report. I learned to navigate the educational system, not because I was a good reader or writer, but because I was creative, had an incredible work ethic, and persevered because I never wanted to fail. I would do what it took to get the job done, even if it meant bending the rules. I felt I had no other choice. I may not have been as book-smart as my friends, but I could outwork and out-hustle anyone, which is how I survived high school.
College was a different story, and in my freshman year, I got put in remedial English. How embarrassing. I have blocked the class from my mind.
I couldn’t figure out why I would often find myself studying for 20 hours for a test when my friends were putting in four to five hours. They were making good grades, while I was squeaking by. And yet, by some sort of miracle, I graduated college.
One good goal changed everything
Fast forward twelve years, and on January 1, 2011, I set one good goal. Give a gift for 365 days. Me, one person, looking to make a difference in one other person’s life each day. My definition of a gift was simple, give and expect nothing in return.
For some reason that I can’t remember, I blogged about my journey. People kept telling me I should write a book. Were they crazy? That was my first thought. My writing was terrible, and my grammar was questionable at best. But people saw beyond my weakness and enjoyed the heartfelt stories of giving to people I loved, my community, and strangers.
Discovering dyslexia
Six months before I published my first book, The Giving Challenge, I discovered I had dyslexia. It was as if a puzzle piece had been missing my entire life and I didn’t know it. Now I knew why I struggled to write and understand all the grammar rules, why I read slowly, and my palms got sweaty anytime I had to read in public. Discovering I had dyslexia was a gift I didn’t know that I needed.
Sure, working as a dyslexic author can be challenging at times, but after six books, several which were award-winning and best-selling, I’ve learned that a label should not defy us.
I focus on the story and pour my emotion and details on the page. The compliment I love most from readers is, “I feel like I’m sitting across from you telling a story.”
When I hear that, I know I’ve done my job. They aren’t just a reader but have become a friend I’m sitting down with for coffee and sharing my stories.
Navigating writing with dyslexia
I read a lot and learn from other authors. The more I read, the more improvement I see in my writing. I don’t let my slow pace of reading discourage me. I’m not competing against anyone but myself.
Tools like Grammarly are a lifesaver.
I hire excellent editors that know I’m dyslexic and show me a lot of grace but still push me as a writer. They don’t allow me to use dyslexia as an excuse. I often say, the editing is harder than the first draft. But once again, that is where determination and perseverance, my strength, come into play.
Finally, I focus on finishing instead of perfection. It took me five years to write my first book because I looked for perfect stories, perfect writing, and perfect page/word count. Now I focus on setting writing goals, doing my best, and finishing and publishing books. It’s how after my first book, I’ve written and published five more books.
Always remember, we are only limited by the limits we put on ourselves. And if I don’t tell the stories on my heart and in my head, who will?
About the Writer:
Stephanie L. Jones gave a gift every day for 522 days and that journey changed her life. Now she is on a mission to inspire others to give and practice gratitude daily. She hosts an inspiring podcast, Giving Your Best Life. As a TEDx speaker, she loves sharing her message from the stage in schools, colleges, churches, and businesses. Stephanie is a best-selling and award-winning author of the Giving Gal, Giving Gal and the Christmas Cookie Extravaganza, The Giving Challenge, The Gratitude Challenge, and Thank-You Notes to God. She lives out her dreams with her hubby, Mike in Indiana.
Website: givinggal.com