My Book Outline

    I have made some changes to the outline of my book and it is now a nonfiction book, instead of solely a memoir. I am planning to still call it Struggling with Words, but just giving it a new subtitle. The book will talk about my story of growing up with dyslexia (narrative form), but also about research related to dyslexia, strategies for helping children overcome reading disabilities, and other resources. I plan to market it as a parenting and educational book. I not only want to tell people my story, but also give people information as to what Dyslexia is and how to help children with reading disabilities. I think this will be more useful than a memoir alone. I want people to be able to do something with the information from the book.  It will take a while to write, but I think it will be a marketable book.

    I have put an outline of my book. This is a basic outline. It may change, but these are the parts I am thinking of having in my book. The chapter titles may change. I might add chapters to part II. Please let me know your thoughts.


Struggling with Words:  A Person Account of Growing up with Dyslexia and What You Can Do to Help Your Child or Student with a Reading Disability Become a Successful Reader

Part I: What is Dyslexia


Part II: My Story

Elementary School

Oral Reading (reading aloud)

Struggling with Spelling

Other Struggles and Stressors

Junior High School (Middle School)

Transitioning to High School

Algebra

Document Processing Class

Depression

Life After High School

10 Years Later

Part III: Strategies for Helping Students with Dyslexia

Early Language and Reading and Early Signs of Dyslexia

Oral Reading Strategies

Help with Fluency

Problems with Reversals

Spelling

Information about Special Education

Part IV: Additional Resources

A Moment to Share a Poem

A Walk to Nowhere

By: Amy Donnelly


I walk along the street of life.
A walk to nowhere,
Stride by stride

I walk along the street at night.
A walk to nowhere
All my life

A walk alone
It seems so wrong
To walk along these roads alone

I see the turns,
The road may take,
The road ahead,
Too long a wait

The gravel terrain,
Beneath my feet,
I must wear shoes
Along this deserted street.

I feel the time pass
Though no tick of a clock
In the road of life,
That was forgot

I feel ahead
My hands numb,
But I must feel for danger
While I walk alone

Days past,
Maybe years,
But the walk ahead
Is still not clear.

Happy Birthday Freddy, etc.

    I can't believe my kitten Freddy is now a year old. When we got him he was only a few weeks old. Joe picked him up on his way home from work one night. There was a sign that said kittens and he stopped to see them, and just had to get Freddy. He was a surprise for me, though sometimes I think he was for both Joe and I. I remember how tiny he was. He could fit in my shoe. Now he is full grown basically, though he will always be my little kitty. Above is one of my favorite photos of him. It was taken probably 3 or so months ago now.

    I haven't had time to do much other than school work lately. I have not had time for writing. I have watched a few classic Disney movies though. Ever since I have gotten home from Disney World, I have wanted to watch some. I've recently watched Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, the Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Pocahontas.