Writing with Dyslexia

As a young child, I always loved stories, and, I guess, when it comes down to it, I still do. It’s hard to believe that someone like me would ever be a published author.  In fact, looking back at my journey, I’d say it was a miracle.

Dyslexia has always been both a blessing and a curse for me.  Like so many others with learning difficulties, my talents could be found in other areas besides school work. I may have been a horrible speller and a poor reader, but I was a creative thinker and was favored with an innovative view of the magical stories that captured my imagination. Jumbled letters on the page kept me from enjoying the books I would eventually love. Instead, movies, television and audio-books fed my insatiable desire for storytelling.

It was during my ninth grade year that my parents discovered just how much I was struggling. My handwriting was illegible. I was reading at a third grade level and my teachers wondered if I’d ever finish high school.

Pulled from the traditional classroom my tenth grade year, I became a homeschooler. This drastic attempt to save my education was the beginning of a long road to remediation.  My mother deserves most of the credit. She put in long hours discovering ways for me to conquer my learning challenges.

I suppose, for some, miracles are simply handed out to those who pray. But for me, my miracle took a decade of hard work and sacrifice. It wasn’t something I could have done on my own.  I don’t know how many times I reached my breaking point, begging to quit. What I do know is that each and every time my parents were there to encourage and push me forward. I finished my four year English degree in only seven years. Not impressive for the average college student, I must admit. But considering where I started and the adversity I faced getting there, a bachelor’s degree is quite an accomplishment.

Now, I don’t know if it’s true, but they say that 97% of people hoping to write a novel never finish it. What I can tell you for certain is that writing a novel ain’t easy. It’s a marathon that requires patience and perseverance, two qualities that I learned fighting my way through college.

When you think about it, there is a hint of irony hidden in my accomplishment. The very hurdle that separated me from success in school has taught me how to succeed as a writer. The key is to never give up! When things get hard and the journey seems hopeless, the only path to winning is perseverance.  So pick yourself up, refocus on the goal in front of you and keep moving forward.

I’m not done, not by a long shot. I still have several novels in me. And now that I have people eagerly waiting to see what happens in my next book, I’ve got to get busy writing the sequel.

Thank you all for joining me on this journey. I appreciate each and every one of you. And thank you for taking the time to read my books. I hope that my interesting characters and unexpected twists have swept you away on an adventure you won’t soon forget.

Ricky Dean Wyrick