Friday, October 19, 2012

Writing What I Read


My cousin and I like to write stories and poems and we often send them to each other.  We have noticed that I can find her mistakes and she can find mine.  When I am reading what I have written, I read it the way it is supposed to be rather than the way it actually is.  I guess that is true of most people.  Otherwise, there would be no reason to have proofreaders.

I have thought about getting one of those programs like Dragon Speaking.  The problem with that is I often have no clue what I am going to say.  I can take my time when typing but I don’t know if Dragon would be willing to wait on me or not.  I know some people who have lost the use of their hands and use this program and like it.  I have not totally ruled out getting something like that.

One of my blogging buddies (yes, talking about YOU, Muffie!) was walking the other day about changing out her summer for her winter clothes.  We agreed that many of the things we switch from one closet to the next will never be worn by us again.  I know that is true with me. I guess that kind of fits into the same category of seeing what you want things to be. 

One of the problems that I want to fix about myself is trying to see myself as something I am not.  I love being optimistic, but I think there has to be a good dose of reality mixed in with it. I am optimistic that there are good times ahead for me and my husband, but realistic enough to know that each year that we live will be more burdensome for him taking care of me.  He also likes to remind me that he is not getting any younger and it may be a joint effort to try and take care of each other.  Either way, it will probably be an uphill battle each day to get the things done we need to do just to have a halfway normal life.

I often try to look at me how I think others might see me.  I know that most of my family accepts that I have changed dramatically over the past few years.  Whichever person is closest to me always reaches out to help me along.  I am so very thankful for their support.  But these are not the ones I am speaking about. 

I know that each of us have noticed someone looking out of the corner of their eyes at us when we are out in public.  I really wonder what they see.  Do they see someone handicapped, a senior citizen, someone who has had an accident, or what?  I have had the urge to go up to them and say, “Hello.  Since you are wondering, I have MS.  How are you?”I don’t want to be rude, though, and know that most mean no harm.  They are just curious.

When I was in school, it literature class used to drive me crazy.  We would read a really good story or poem and the teacher would “tell us what it meant”.  I never could figure out why it could not just mean what it said.  So, when you read something I write and the words are out of place, please, just read what I meant!!

 

2 comments:

Muffie said...

Oops, talking about me?
I know exactly what you're saying -- I do it all the time when I write. When I taught writing, it was a five-step process: pre-writing, drafting, editing, proofreading, and final product. The editing part -- adding, subtracting, moving around and the proofreading part -- spelling, grammar/usage, punctuation, caps, word choice usually involved partners -- for the reasons you gave. With spelling, I told the kids to read the paper backwards [from last word to first] and the errors just pop out!
I know -- TMI! I like your comparison with how others see us -- good thoughts!
Peace,
Muff

Janie said...

I just re-read my post and found several errors!! It is so frustrating! Thanks for the comments......you always lift me up!! :)