Where to start????

[Yvette Heinze]

Okay. I just went to Mark's seminar last Saturday, and I just got the book yesterday. I did take advantage of the free week trial of the Magnum Steno Club, and I've decided to join that. But, now what? There's SO much. I've started working on the ~DZ for "ing" and the "these/those" endings, since I learned that at the seminar.

I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions of what worked for them as far as getting started. Were there some that were easier to implement? Which ones do you feel you use the most?

[Brenda Rogers]

Definitely * for -ly and -y; -DZ for -ing. I use those the most, I'd say. Still working on getting "these" and "those" to come automatically.

Oh! "this" and "that" on the final side I use ALL the time! Those are good ones. "did that" "did this" "when that" "and that" etc. Great ones!

-TD for "they" is another. did they, are they, when they, have they.

-TD for -ded endings as well.

-FZ for saw is a good one too. -FS is was; -FZ is saw -- opposite spelling.

Those are easy ones to start with. I love the other pronouns for the KWRO series, but those are a little more advance, IMO. I'd start with a couple and then add as you feel comfortable. I don't practice these, but I tuck them away in my brain. I've had things come back to me months and months after I first saw them and put them in my dictionary. Like finding Easter eggs! :)

[Tami]

Well, I agree with everything Brenda said, but I have always thought that including the inflected endings with the initial stroke gives you the biggest bang for your buck.

I'm not sure if you're coming back for your -s, -es, -ing, and -ed, Yvette, but, if not, that 's a really good place to start.

Tucking the -g for -ing is another nice top ten.

Some theories use their -GT for -th, so that might be something to look at and figure out how to get around. Perhaps adding an *.

If you're an asteriskaphobe, that's another nice thing to try to start getting comfortable with. for things like that -ly.

To Students reading this:

If your school is teaching you to use the asterisk only for a correction stroke, they're selling you a raw deal. They're probably the same school that tells you you have to come back for all those endings in an extra stroke. :)

Happy Writing Short!!

[Yvette Heinze]

Thanks.

Luckily, I did learn to use the asterisk in school, so I already use it a lot. And I did learn to use the -GT for -th. Now I just need to think about using it MORE.

I agree. I think working on the endings is a good place to start. I already do it when I'm stacking. Now I just need to do it on purpose. And that ~LY looks good.

Okay. Time for change...again.

[Brenda Rogers]

Tami, I totally agree about adding the inflected endings; I just don't consider that a Mark K. thing. That's plain ol' common sense! ;) I was taught them and I think the arguments against it are ludicrous! Ditto about the asterisk too. I was taught to use that and have never been uncomfortable with it (although, *F and *R aren't my favorites. Use them anyway and am far more comfortable than I used to be).

[Tami]

He does bring up inflected endings and wide keys in his seminars as kind of a of-course-you-do- those side note. :)

I'm thinking Yvette graduated from an O.C. school that teaches to come back for all endings.

Am I right, Yvette??

(It really is more the norm these days, so you definitely have a lot of company if you do.)

[Yvette Heinze]

Yes, I learned to come back for my endings. I think they may have mentioned you could add the ending, but I think I was absent that day.

[Rhoda Collins]

Brenda,
*R is one I use a ton! I changed my alphabet letters to A*R/B*R/ etc for cap'ed and A*RS for small letters, and on from there. *R is now easiest to me, lol!! And yes, the inflected endings have been around since the 60's....I have a CD from another guy who shares them who has used it since then. Can't think of his name!!! LOL! Too lazy to get up and get it too, lol.
Rho

[Amy]

I would love to start changing my writing style and become more conflict free. I guess I've been out of school for a while. Real time and conflict free wasn't something that was hammered into your brain. Although I do use some of these ending, like -G is ING and -D is ED, but in some instances I still have to come back for my endings in another stroke. I also have never heard of some of these others you mentioned like -TD for they. I really hope to learn some more tricks from you guys. Where can I get a book of this theory? I do real time for all my jobs, but purely for my own benefit. I'm nowhere close to being RT certified. I've been doing this for 15 years, but I'm always willing to improve my skills. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[Brenda Rogers]

Amy, I've been doing it for over 20, just started picking up some of Mark's concepts a couple years ago -- I am hooked!!! Doesn't matter how long you've been reporting as long as you're open-minded.

[Tami]

Just pm'd you, and then I saw this.

Mark's theory book is Stenomaster Theory. Go to magnumsteno.com and get in touch with Samuel.

The advanced book is MagnumSteno.

I think both books are priceless.

I think I'm the one that got Brenda hooked a couple years ago, and now she's left me in the dust as far as writing short, and I now learn so much from her.

There are quite a few of us "old dogs" around that think it's pretty cool to work with a lot less effort and stress. It's our everyday game show. :)

Happy Writing Short!!

[Brenda Rogers]

Yes, you are the one who started me on Mark's techniques, Tazi! Between you and Jenny, I didn't stand a chance at continuing to write my old way. ;)

As I have said for a long time now, writing short is like a drug! Once you start, you just can't write short enough. You need more and more and more!! Or is that less and less and less? hmm

[Tami]

Drug to you. Game show to me. HA!

I can name that tune . . .

I'm still waiting for someone to hand me a million dollars. :)