Interuption to Japan Posts - Dyslexia

Sorry to stop the Japan posts but I am in a tizz - thanks to the article in 7 Days on Monday I am being filmed for a documentary on dyslexia this afternoon (What do i wear???) and I was thinking about writers who are dyslexic. I am dyslexic and although my mother was told this when I was in third grade nothing much was done to work with it because very little was known about it in the 'dark ages.' Aside from reading aloud problems and huge spelling difficulties I made it successfully through school to receive my degree in English (concentration in creative writing and Medival Studies) from Mt. Holyoke. So my dyslexia didn't stop me and I am wondering if in a strange way it helped me along my road to becoming a writer.

I want to know how many writers are dyslexic. Are there are 'names' out there? Have they spoken of it? The famous dyslexics that heralded are the likes of Einstein and even Richard Branson. Where are the writers in this list?

The film maker has already interviewed the artist Sacha Jafri for the documentary and I had spoken to him last year about his dyslexia - but most people see where it fits with art. For my son it fits with his skill in maths and sciences.

I just wonder those of us writers who are dyslexics - did the struggles with words lead you closer to them? Did the triumph of reading that first book set your creative fire alight? Did the frustration of having a million stories in your head push you to the long hours of hard work to get those stories on the page?

Sacha Jafri Grand Hyatt Dubai Exhibition Opening

Tonight was glittering and glamourous ( that was the paintings as well as the people). I felt as if I was in a different world and I was. The opening of the ten year retrospective of Sacha Jafri's work at the Grand Hyatt in Dubai was stunning. The ballroom just managed to hold the the vibrant works and I fell in love. Fortunately for me the painting had already sold as I would have had to mortgage the house but it would have been worth it. (here's a photos of Sacha with the press)

Sacha's works are filled with life and colour. The room pulsed with their energy and all the gorgeous people viewing them. I will be visiting the Majilis Gallery to see them again just to soak in the magic. (Here's one of the beautiful paintings but not 'my' painting alas)

(Here's the DH and I trying to fit in!)

Now tomorrow morning I am whisking away for a few days in the mountains of Oman. We are lucky enough to be bringing another stellar artist with us, Paul Wadsworth. Will report in when we return late on Thursday - no internet is available to the best of my knowledge 7000 feet up a mountain in the interior of Oman. I may be wrong but I will be divorced if I bring the lap top with me!