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8 Basic rule to Realtime Writing

For those of you looking for tip on how to write realtime, the best thing I could tell you is to just get ahold of a Digitext Theory book. All these seminars and self-help books on realtime are nothing but bandaids, in my opinion. If you really want to sharpen your realtime skills and cut down on your editing time, you need to be all-in. The Digitext theory is really based on about 8 simple principles. Here they are in a nutshell:

1. Consonant/short vowel/consonant = exactly what it is. For example, PHREUPL will give you "plim," not "preliminary." Try to avoid any exceptions to this rule. The more consistent you can be, the less you will have to try to "think" about what your translation will be.

2. Consonant/Short vowel = prefix. For example, "reflex" would be R-E/TPHR-EBGS.

Regardless what you may "hear," all prefixes are short.

3. Short vowel/consonant = suffix. For example, PHRAPB/ET; AEUR/AB.

4. For a short vowel/consonant prefix, incorporate the * key. For example, A*B/STRABGT; *EPB/TAEUL; *EUR/TAEUT; O*B/SKAOUR. This takes care of the word boundary problem with #3. Also, following this same principle, anytime you incorporate the * key, upon translation it will act as a prefix. For example, PWA*BG/WARD; O*UT/WARD.

5. For consonant/long vowel endings, used the LONG VOWEL. For example, "kidney" would be stroked KEUD/TPHAOE. You have just solved the word boundary problem between #2 above. If you want to switch #2 and #3, fine, but stay consistent.

6. For vowel prefixes, use the short letter and -RBGS. For example, A-RBGS/TOP, ERBGS/KWEUP,ORBGS/PHEUT, URBGS/TPHAOEBG. Exception is long I, AOEURBGS/HRAPBD

7. For vowel suffixes, use the folowing endings. For example/ HAPBD/E; PARBG/A; PHEPB/AOU; SOR/OE.

8. Try to make sure any briefs either have now vowel or a long vowel. This is to stay away from violating Rule #1 above. For example, PHR-PL = preliminary, PHAEURPB = marine, T-RT = territory; SKWR-PB = January.

Of course, you need to try to distinguish between homonyms the best way you know how. For a complete listing of briefs, phrases and homonmy distinction, refer to a Digitext Reference dictionary or create your own consistent principles.

If you incorporate the above principles, or something similar thereto, you will be well on your way to conflict-free, realtime writing.

Visit my website at Digitextshorthand.com

Good Luck, Jerry Lefler