Hey, all! Here is my story so far...

I have been reporting for 15 years and I am an MI-CSR and RPR. I recently moved to Texas and have to recertify in order to work here. I joined MSC at the beginning of June to get ready for the CSR. I watched the instructional videos and followed the instructions. I practiced every day. The great news is, I totally ROCKED on the Texas CSR today. I couldn't believe how absolutely slow the dictation seemed. Four weeks ago, I was struggling with regular test speeds, and today there were giant gaps between the words; so much so that I didn't have to use phrasing briefs if I didn't want to.

The precursor to the story is, this practice method helped me finally pass the CRR. Several years ago, I attended one of Mark's speed building boot camps. I had taken the CRR twice before attending the boot camp and just could not pass. Couldn't even turn the tests in. After using the method I learned in the high-speed boot camp I took the CRR in May 2008 and actually turned the test in. I didn't pass, but I only missed it by 10 errors. I took the CRR again in May of 2009 and I passed!!

This practice method absolutely, positively works. I am going to take the RMR this fall and I already know I will pass it!! I can't believe the HUGE difference in my writing in just four weeks.

Yaaay Magnum Steno Club and THANKS, MARK!!

I miss the Magnum Steno. It was a great way to start each morning.

Way to go Rebecca! Congrats!
I agree his method works. I didn't believe 5 minutes a day was enough to make a difference, either, but I was willing to try it. I saw and felt improvement after the first week. I took the RMR in May and the lit and JC felt the same way you described. Now, for the testimony, I was just too excited and hyped up from the ease of the first two to calm down and just write - LOL, what a reason, huh? It was totally get-able but I just couldn't breathe. I know I'll kick it in November.
Thanks, Mark!

Love the "so far," Rebecca!

I'm sure you'll get the RMR in the fall. You, too, Michelle!

I hope we're winning over the "non-believers."

Thanks Kathryn, buuut he just told me that it's not actually "official" yet. But I have a good feeling about this one.

Okay, Kathryn. One more time and it's official.

WOO-HOO!!! YAAAAAY!! My boy did it! He passed his qualifier and off to CSR test in October. My turn a'come'n! Thanks to all the CRs, teachers and CR students for all your support and encouragement on this journey. Can you tell I'm a proud mama?!?

And big THANKS to Mark. After Trevor met you in March, he's been flying like an eagle! ; ) And me too!

And, Tami, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your sense of humor through this nail biting journey. Getting our boys through this program -- well, there is such an overwhelming feeling of pride...and I KNOW you know what I'm talking about. One down, one to go.

OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!! CONGRATS, Trevor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And congrats to you too, Alexis! I can only imagine how proud you must be! So cool! Trevor is the first from our theory class to qualify! It is so exciting!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Congrats, Trevor and Alexis!!

Thanks, Tami :)

Virginia, I used to think (like many) that in order to improve speed that we had to slave through hours of practice. Mark says that even 5 mins a day of the right technique of high speed practice is enough to train our brain and fingers, and that 5 or 10 mins a few times in a day is tremendous. I didn't believe that at first but everyone's got 5 mins, right? So I decided to try it with the Magnum Steno Club. I was not only convinced but amazed at the difference in my writing after only the first week! So now when I can, I get in a few 10 min sessions a day but when I can't, I know that 5 mins just before a job will still be enough.
(Thanks, Mark :)

I really like the Briefs 101. I was roaming around the book trying to figure out where to start, and this is really helpful. Thanks!

WOO-HOOOOOOO for TREVOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And you, too, MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Coming in late as we took off to Palm Springs for two days so we could watch our boy in action. :)

So one official draw back from the Stenomaster/Magnum theory:

It looks so easy in action. I was amazed how slow, smooth Clay was on that machine. The judge was clipping along, and it looked like he was getting every fourth word. It was sooo amazing!!

I see I also missed our 100th member. I'll have to figure out who that is.


Alexis, I'm just so happy for you!!

It's "drawback," isn't it!

Oh, my!!

Our 100th member is my friend Ian from the UK!!!

What a treat to have you here, Ian!!

WELCOME!!!!!

Thanks for the welcome, Tami! I think I was actually 101 - which still feels strangely appropriate!! :)

Rebecca, that's great news! May I put your testimonial on our testimonial page? And with initials, or Rebecca C., or what is your preference? (if "yes)

Kathryn, Love the "Magnum Steno Club" nametag idea for national!!! I think I'll do it!

Alexis, I'm so happy for you and Trevor!! Way to go!!

Michelle, you are so right about the 5 minutes, how efficacious it is, so thanks for reminding everyone.

Apryl, glad to hear it! Everyone who starts Briefs 101, by listening to Briefs Group 001 through.... 1,000??? eventually you will write as SHORT as I do! I"m going to train you guys all the way to as many briefs as I know!

Welcome, Ian!!!

Vicki, why aren't you in the MSC any longer?? You said you miss it.

I also vote for an MSC flag at National. As a relative newcomer to the profession I won't have many flags on my name tag. Some people look like Admirals and I'm a lowly deck swabber.

We could make nametags, but how we could make those little ribbons, I have no idea where to start for that.

You can get name tag ribbons at www.pcnametag.com. They have all sizes, shapes, colors, etc. I got some there a few years ago and was very satisfied.

Thanks, Rebecca!

Mark,

Really liked today's speed video. The practice on the extended answer strokes is very helpful. Thanks!

Excellent!

Today is exactly 35 days to the NCRA Speed Contest. From here on out I'm practicing at least 3 times a day, trying to give 100% concentration for five full minutes, and where I fail, figure out why I failed.

Mark, your Magnum steno club videos were great today! You are a man of very many talents! Very impressive!

Hello Mark, I just found out about this club yesterday from my sister who is a working reporter. I am very excited about it. I am currently a student finishing up the last speed. I practice very hard every day. I am trying to past ten more test. I would love for you to send me some information about your magnum steno club videos. I am always trying to find a fast way to write words. I would like to know your techniques.

I am editing a JC. Here are some exerpts as I wrote them in April.

number of witnesses NOFNSZ
jury instruction JIRKZ
jury instructions JIRKSZ (or however you do the K-tion and K-tions)
ladies and je of the jury LAEURJ
in this case NAEUS
in this particular case NA*EUS
deliberations DLIBGSZ
that's been THAEBTS
bias BAOEUS
sympathy STHI
prejudice PREJS
public opinion PU*N
disability SDABLT
gender JERND
nationality NARBLT
origin NORJ
ethinicity E*T/NI*S
identity AOEUFT
sexual SEBGLS
orientation OERNGS
careful KAEUFL
attention TAENGS
all of these AUFTZ
instructions STRUKSZ
repeat RAOEPT
idea Y-D
conclude K-K
important PORNT
any other NI*R
just because JUBZ
specifically SPEFL
defined DWAOEUND
be sure to -BTS
listen LIFN
carefully KAEU*FL
give you GUV
depending DPENGD
findings -FGDZ
suggesting SUGDZ
as you find ZUFD
research REFRPB
dictionary DAERKZ
internet SBERNT
reference REFRNS
materials TERLZ
investigate VEFT
conduct KUKT
experiments SPERMTS
scene SKAOEN
notebooks NOEBZ
individual VID
help you HUP
what happened WHAPD
keep in mind KAOEMD
inaccurate IN/KRAT
incomplete IN/KPLAOET
disagreement STKAMT
stipulations STIPGSZ
court reporter KROERT
jury room JIRM
at the end of the TAOEFT
collected KLEKTD
destroyed SDROID
presumption PRUMGS
beyond a reasonable d Y*ARD
whenever WH*FR
tell you TUL
People's PAO*EPLDZ
otherwise OIRZ
abiding BAEGD
conviction KWIKZ
eliminate LI*MT
imaginary MAJ/NAER (suggestions?)
impartially KBA*RBL
entire SBAOEUR
entitled SBAOEULD
acquittal KWILGTS
and you must SKPURPBLGS
find -FD
fined FAOEUND
you must not URPBLGTS
testimony TEFM
exhibits XIBTS
admitted DMITD
into evidence SBAOE*FD
into SBAO
evidence E*FD
anything else NIGLS
I told I*TD
remarks RARKS
significant SIG
objected OBD
might have been MAOEU*FB
stricken from the record STRORD
disregard SDRARD
circumstantial evidence SE*FD
direct evidence DRE*FD
combination KBINGS
courthouse KHOUS
from which FR-FP
you may AOU*M
logically L*L
reasonaly RAOE*BL
that he saw THAEFZ
someone SWUN
inside N-SD
acceptable SEBL
types of TAOEUFZ
disprove SDPRO*F
elements L_MTS
of a AEUF
charge KHARJ
conviction KWIKZ
necessarily NEL
reliable RAOEUBL
guilty *G
two or more TWORM
unreasonable NRAOEBL
alone LAON
credibility KREBLTD
believability BLAOE*FBLT
common sense KMONS
experience SPAOERNS
you may have AOU*FM
evaluating VAELGT
by a BAE
relationship R*IP
truthfulness TRAOUFNLS
automatically AOKL
honestly HO*NLS
forget FO*GT
deliberately DLIBLT
ignore NOIRG (purposeful stack)
wrongful WROFL
prohibited PROBTD
intentionally SBE*NGLS
Penal Code POED
specific intent SPINT
desire SDAOEUR
accomplice PLI*S
facilitate FAELT
promote PROEMT
encourage KREJ
instigate I*NS/GAEUT
arbitrarily ARB/TRAERL
in light of the NRAOEUFT
inference N-FRNS

you may= 30 times
you must= 38 times

not done editing yet :( beach time:)

Saniya,

Why don't you try the club free this week (through Saturday). You go to www.magnumsteno.com, and in the two blanks in the center of the page, fill in:

msctrial@magnumsteno.com
freedom1776

Be sure to click Archive > Instructional > and listen to "Mark Speed Method Part 1", 2, 3, and 4, as well as other instructional videos. Basically you have about 5 days to devour as much as you can for free off the Magnum Steno Club, and then decide if you want to join!

Magnum Steno Fan Club members,

Clay has obviously been infected by the Write Short Syndrome, and he has a very serious case. This is one syndrome we should all wish to have. I'm very proud of him. I always look carefully at his lists because he has invented some good stuff.

Some side effects of this Syndrome include: writing high speeds effortlessly, enjoying writing on the machine, gaining confidence, and realtime coming out very clean.

The only known cures for this syndrome are to learn a stroke-intensive theory, or go to work for a major captioning company. Cured individuals report slowing of writing speed, wrist and arm pain, increased job stress, degrading realtime accuracy, and a general feeling of incompetence.

Mark,

Hilarious!!! Thanks for the laugh!

I'm framing that one, Mark!! :)

Thanks, Clay, for that list. Very helpful.

Virginia,

It will be regular enough that most people will not keep up. You don't do "one per day." No one can learn that fast I don't think. You do Brief Group 001, and ONLY when you are good at those briefs do you move to 002, 003, etc. So yes, it's a regular thing, but not every day. Eventually there will be HUNDREDS of these. I strongly recommend that you work your way through them.

My friends,

Just wanted to say that even I thought Mon. and Tue. this week were very hard - i.e., fast fast. They are great practice material for the speed contest, and they are MUCH harder than the speed contest!!

Do NOT be discouraged by the high speeds! FIGHT them, and IMPROVE.

New concept I'm working on:

On fast, hard material, try to keep a rhythm, and try to KEEP going and NOT stop. I seem to drop every time I pause.

Let me know how that idea works for you in practice.

Hi Mark, do you know how to practice to a metronmone?

Saniya, I do not. I've heard people try that and a few say it helped them. But one should be able to keep a rhythm just by keeping a consistent, same-speed up-and-down motion at the necessary speed to write the material.

I haven't seen a Mazda Millenia in millennia. Yes, I typed that correctly. :)

Don't forget my "Merges" concept (page 127 Magnum Steno book). The idea that all letters in a word show up in the steno:

Honda HAOPBD
wagon WAOPBG
dragon TKRAOPBG
window WOEUPBD

and two new ones:

Dakota TKAOBGT
Durango TKAOURPBG

You can use this concept to make up new briefs.

Love those, Mark I do Honda and window exactly like that and have for a couple of years now. Wagon I hadn't come up with something I like. This I like!

Tacoma is one that is only two strokes, but I'd love to get it down to one. Not only is there the city not too terribly far from here and the truck, but a main street just two blocks from me. Any ideas on that one?

Tacoma

TK*AOM (think T plus KAOM)

or

TAOJ (final M and K stacked)

?? just my thoughts, I'm sure Mark will think of something better.

Thanks, Clay. I'd thought of the second, but could never follow through with it when the time came. Maybe TAO*K would work. I'm still taking suggestions! :)

Brenda, I was thinking along the same lines as Clay, but thought I'd remember TKO*EM better because I currently write it TA/KOEM.

Ah. I've done TAK/MA since school.

Brenda, if you're comfortable using the asterisk how about: TO*EM

And if you're not: TOUM