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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/9577-On-Being-Different.html
Drama: June 05, 2019 Issue [#9577]




 This week: On Being Different
  Edited by: Kitti the Red-Nosed Feline Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Being different isn't easy. Society is built for those who aren't like you. That doesn't mean that you don't matter. That your voice doesn't deserve to be heard. On the contrary - the literary world needs fresh perspectives!

This week's Drama Newsletter is all about our differences, and our strengths.

Kitti the Red-Nosed Feline Author Icon


Word from our sponsor

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Amazon's Price: $ 12.99


Letter from the editor

I’m writing this newsletter after a lengthy (we’re talking hours here) Dyspraxia assessment. Dyspraxia is a developmental disorder of the brain, affecting coordination, movement and spatial awareness, amongst other things. Whilst the occupational therapist assessing me still needs to verify my test results, her 20 years of experience in this field told her that she is pretty certain that I do, indeed, have Dyspraxia. That is in addition to my already having been diagnosed with High-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Whilst I kind of knew that it was likely that I am dyspraxic – it was indicated during my Autism assessment that I present with many of the traits – the idea of having two disabilities is not exactly cheering. The rational part of me says that nothing changes – both disabilities have been with me since birth, it’s just that I now know about it – but I don’t think that anyone actually wants to be disabled. Let alone twice over. There’s a little voice inside of me that asks why I can’t just be normal. That wonders what it’s like to be normal. That ponders how I would perceive the world if my brain worked as it’s supposed to...

But then, what is “normal”? Whilst I cannot say this for certain, I figure that each of us perceives the world differently. If we didn’t, wouldn’t we all think the same? Wouldn’t we all have the same likes and dislikes? Wouldn’t we each class this piece of music as good and that piece of music as bad? Wouldn’t we all respond the same in the situations that we are faced with throughout life? The fact that we do not tells me that we are all different. That we are all unique. I don’t know who or what establishes the norm, but I know that our individual experiences are pretty diverse.

That’s not to say that I do not accept that there are some problems with how my brain functions. It’s not that great when you keep bumping into things and tripping over your own feet, for example. I would love to have better spatial awareness and be more in tune with my own body. I’m a Dutch person who cannot ride a bicycle. I can’t swim. I can’t dance. I’m terrible at sports. I will never be able to drive a car, as nobody would want someone like me behind the wheel, including me.

There are things about my brain that I love, though. It’s creative. It’s intelligent enough to hold its own at postgraduate level. It may be idealistic, but I’d rather that than it never searching for solutions on how we can do better.

Being different doesn’t mean being incapable of being artistic. Think, for example, of the singer Susan Boyle, who is autistic, or Harry Potter’s Daniel Radcliffe, who has Dyspraxia. Indeed, our differences, whatever they may be, mean that we can produce a wide range of art, a wide range of stories. We all have our own unique perspective and that is a good thing!

If, like me, you fall outside of the norm for whatever reason, don’t let it stop you. Your voice matters. It deserves to be heard. The more we create, the more we dare to share, the more we learn about one another and the fear of any differences dissipates.

Beyond that, the greater the amount of voices in the literary world, the better it becomes. I have frequently read complaints of a lack of fresh ideas in movies and literature, so there is definitely a desire for new stories and for different approaches. You never know, your story might be the next big thing!

As always, whatever you do, enjoy yourself. That’s what we’re here for, after all. *Smile*

Kitti the Red-Nosed Feline Author Icon




Editor's Picks

Some contests to inspire you:

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The Lodestar Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
Looking for a guiding light. Next round opens Feb 2025.
#2130938 by Satuawany Author IconMail Icon


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Twenty-Five Words or Less Open in new Window. (13+)
Contest Closed! Feel free to browse through the past entries...
#2127482 by ruwth Author IconMail Icon


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SENIOR CENTER FORUM Open in new Window. (ASR)
The Place for Seniors!
#427318 by Kitti the Red-Nosed Feline Author IconMail Icon


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FORUM
Newbies ONLY Short Story & Poem Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
Opening in January for entries!
#1873271 by ~ Santa Sisco ~ Author IconMail Icon


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The Dialogue 500 Open in new Window. (18+)
Dialogues of 500 words or less.
#941862 by W.D.Wilcox Author IconMail Icon


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This item number is not valid.
#2189388 by Not Available.


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Show, Don't Tell Contest Open in new Window. (18+)
Show Don't Tell Contest Message Forum
#2162666 by Max Griffin 🏳️‍🌈 Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2055579 by Not Available.


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Second Time Around ~ Birthday Special Open in new Window. (E)
Have you entered previous contests that you didn't win? Do you feel cheated? Step inside.
#2164876 by Choconuts Roasting Author IconMail Icon


And don't forget:

 
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Quotation Inspiration: Official Contest Open in new Window. (ASR)
Use the quote provided to write a story and win big prizes!
#1207944 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon


 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

The Drama Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in! *Smile*

Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,

The Drama Newsletter Team



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