posted
Hi, everyone. I'm JP, and...um... I'm a dictionary-dependent writer.
That's right, I use a dictionary, all the time. Spelling is just a weak suit for me. Never have been good at it, try as I might. Spelling tests in gradeschool were a struggle, and the spelling sections on all those 'bubble tests' were just atrocious. The more I write the better I get, of course. I learn little tricks to help me remember the difference between angel/angle, it's bagel (right?), dessert/desert, descent/decent, but I always have a dictionary handy. It sits not more than 8" away from my keyboard, even when I'm in Word and have spellcheck handy.
But it's (c) 1990, and I have been thinking about getting a new one. Do any of you have any suggestions about what my next dictionary should be? I currently have a Webster's New World, but think I want a Merriam Webster for the next one.
posted
Well, I have sitting on my desk a 1999 copy of Webster's New World College Dictionary. I use it frequently, as I am in the same situation as you mentioned. Sometimes, just passing over one word in hopes of it leading me to another that I can use, as well as looking for correct spellings. Another thing that happens is that I need to look up the deffination of a choice given by Word. I picked up this really great copy at Sam's Club and am very pleased with it.
posted
I have a dictionary, a thesaurus, and a synonym and antonym finder. I also use Word Perfect which has a little box that runs on the tool bar that suggests synonyms and antonyms at one click for the drop down menu. I also find WP has a better grammar checker and a better spell checker than MS Word. ( I use both--the 2000 versions) I am very dyslexic—I always reverse blends when typing or writing. Th=ht and so on. I have the auto correct set to fix that for me. I do the same with ou and ie (but not ei--go figure). So forget the spelling, I always have to work at it.
Don’t believe the “you are a writer you should be able to spell" myth. I have found many who can not. For one reason or another.
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