Writing for a purpose

[wendyzski]

As opposed to the randomized babbling I do on here...

I have started writing for the Red Door Shelter's blog 'Behind The Red Door', and my first entry went live this morning.  It's about my former foster-buns the FraidyTwins, aka The Amazing Color-Changing Bunnies.

Comments

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I ran into the "you're not trying hard enough" line a lot growing up, as tests clearly showed I was "gifted" but that doesn't necessarily translate to aptitude for everything. Nowadays there is more understanding that people have different learning styles, but that wasn't a big thing back in the 70s and early 80s.

Some subjects I annoyed the hell out of my teachers, as I could sit in the back of the room reading a book under my desk but still always have the right answer when called on. I also test very well, mostly because of a complete lack of "stage fright". Other subjects I just couldn't wrap my head around. Pre-calculus was an example. I was never very good at algebra, again because I apparently missed something crucial early on. Geometry was easier because I was describing actual *things*, which was easier for me to grasp. But I lasted 2 weeks in pre-calc with failing grades on quizzes and a teacher who was unable or unwilling to explain things in a way I could understand. Huge fights with my parents and my guidance instructor finally resulted in my being "permitted" to switch to Basic Accounting and Basic Computers, and I've certainly used those more in my life than I ever would calculus.

I don't consider myself a Writer, but I do know that I communicate well both verbally and in text. As a leader, I also am very aware that not everyone is good at everything and I do my best to pick the right people for the job and then get out of their way. I'm also good at translating between business-speak and tech-speak, which may be my most marketable skill.

[katexxxxxx.livejournal.com]

My mum (who should have been some sort of engineer!) only finally understood why I have spelling difficulties when I told her that I am unaware of words on the page when I read. I see it all as pictures in my head, like watching a film from the inside. I even see technical stuff like this. I'm only aware of words when I get tired, and shortly after that they start delaminating from the page in lines and float about like ribbons, getting crossed and tangled.

I'm very much a visual learner and thinker. Monkey see, monkey do. Read a list of instructions? Not so useful. See it happening or see pictures? Great! When planning things I drag pictures together and make spider diagrams/mind maps. While I do make lists of things to do, they are not so helpful as a spider diagram of the same tasks. Lists are for sending Himself shopping!