@tommyryan My apologies. I was only referencing the writing of your comment. I haven't read any of your official writing, as of yet.

Okay, now I understand. I don't think that's an issue, the voice command. If that's how you're writing your comments then, it works.

Well, you are correct, in messages longer than a few sentences, paragraphs are usually the best bet. Not only because of the writing rules but also because, when the human eye views a piece of text and it's nothing but words, no breaks, no indents, no breathing room, it overwhelms the reader and they are unable to focus, not only because there seems to be a lot but also because the eye may get confused.

How many times have you read to the edge of the page, your eye floats back to the other edge to continue the sentence but you end up re-reading the same sentence? That's because the eye and brain were overwhelmed.

I only see basic, minor corrections to your comment, like the space after the period and before the new word. There is also a sentence which confuses me but, it may have been the voice-to-text. The sentence starts "I'm not sure how to write...." I can only guess you were saying your unsure what steps to take toward publication neither do you know who to send it to.

What do you mean "by the time everyone reads it, it's too late?"

@tommyryan It seems you write pretty well. When I say "text speak" I'm referring to the so-called abbreviations like l8r g8r and things of that nature.

@0752532706 I think you write fairly well, especially since I can only guess that English is not your first language. Only issue I immediately noticed was spacing between words. But, I know that can happen when using a mobile device and typing on this site, since it happens to me quite often.

@evidentialist

I know I replied to you the day you responded but, for some reason, the comment no longer exists.

So, to repeat, for the first time, ha ha....

I don't have specific qualifications or experience. I do have my Associate's in English. But, only three years towards my bachelor's. I dropped out due to six suicide attempts in six months plus the weight of student debt.

I usually did it as a favor for friends in college (which was just five years ago). But, I also rewrote the employee handbook and the safety manual for a daycare. Later on, I edited the books for a church's culinary school. Sadly, the man who ran the school, his way of putting the book together was to copy and paste from numerous websites. My job was to erase all indications of it's source. Yes, I know it was illegal but this was a volunteer job which I was desperately hoping would become paid work. It did not.

I wrote for the Texas Wesleyan University student newspaper, The Rambler, for two years. I only spent one semester as page editor, though. I questioned myself. I didn't believe my editing of the page, or the work to be featured on the page, was the end all, be all. I wanted someone to look over my work, give me pointers, guide me. They just wanted it done, whether it was good or bad didn't matter. I don't learn after the fact i.e. the mistakes being pointed out once the newspaper was published. But, they weren't willing to teach me during the editing process.

You can find my work by Googling my old student email address. It's no longer valid so I am unconcerned with giving it out. mdbates@mail.txwes.edu

You will find the Issuu website. Sadly, Wesleyan doesn't keep their websites archives up to date so, this external site with the PDF's is the only way to find my work.

You can also Google me. "Melissa Bates Texas Wesleyan" You will find the articles written about me, the broadcast news features and a few of my public speaking engagements.

@wrytyr Please see above.

@jeffy Well, yea. That's where depression starts. In the head.

@MelbatesThe trick is, do shit. Works for me. A rolling brain gathers no moss

@jeffy What works for you may not work for another. Have a bit of compassion for those suffering from profound depression (to the point of attempting suicide). The first thing to go when one is truly depressed is the ability to "do shit." Next best thing is to do ANYTHING, and it seems as though @Melbates IS doing something, just not the original writing she would like to feel like doing. I get that, totally.

@Sooz Yeah, that was my point. Encouragement and friendship is my offering. Dwelling on depression only builds a bigger house to be lost inside.

@Sooz Thank you for your support.

@jeffy I appreciate your attempt to offer encouragement and friendship but it originally came off as a little harsh, like someone who has no understanding of depression. But, it seems you do. I totally get how "doing shit" works for you but I'm lucky to make it to work every day. Sometimes, I feel so weighed down, I don't even want to type a response online. But, thank you for trying.