Writers with Learning Disabilities

Of all the professions to choose, being a writer would2. Fannie Flagg
seem to be one of the most trying for a personGrowing up in Birmingham, Alabama, Flagg struggled
with a learning disability. Still, some people withwith severe dyslexia, which led her to believe that
scholastic problems-even those that interfereher dreams of being a professional writer were out
specifically with language, such as dyslexia,feel theof reach. She initially began her career as a news
urge to express themselves through writing. Theanchor, then moved on to acting in such movies as
obstacles these individuals encounter are considerable,Five Easy Pieces and Grease. While Flagg had found
but if they can find a way to overcome them, theysuccess as an actress, the pull to write was just too
just might be able to create a true work of literarystrong to ignore. A writers' conference inspired her to
art. The following writers have all struggled withcraft her first short story, for which she won a prize.
learning disabilities and have proven that theEncouraged by this warm reception, Flagg began
challenges that those with learning problems facewriting in earnest. Her bestselling novel, Fried Green
head-on can often reap the biggest rewards. AmongTomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, was turned into
these inspirational examples are:a much beloved movie, for which she wrote the
1. Robert BentonThis 74-year-old screenwriter grewAcademy Award nominated screenplay. Flagg's warm,
up during a time when there wasn't much informationfunny novels have continued to land on the bestseller
available about dyslexia. Finding reading and writinglists. Her latest book is Can't Wait to Get to Heaven.
difficult and branded as "slow," Benton's imagination3. Wendy Wasserstein
was captured by the movies. He became a filmThis late, great playwright also struggled with dyslexia
fanatic, watching his favorites over and over again.throughout her formative years. She went on to
This dedication led him to a deep understanding ofreceive degrees from Mount Holyoke, City College of
what worked and what didn't in the cinematic world.New York, and Yale. Wasserstein was known for
After a brief stint as an art director for Esquireextremely witty and incisive plays about intelligent,
magazine, Benton decided to try his hand atsuccessful women dealing with their inner demons.
screenwriting by partnering with his friend, DavidThe Heidi Chronicles catapulted her into theatre world
Newman. The product of their partnership was thesuperstardom, earning her a Tony Award and a
critically-acclaimed screenplay for Bonnie & ClydePulitzer Prize. Her final play, Third, opened on
which launched his writing career. Benton went on toBroadway in 2005. She is also the author of four
win best screenplay Academy Awards for Places inbooks, including Elements of Style, and wrote the
the Heart and Kramer vs. Kramer. He continuesscreenplay for the film version of The Object of My
writing professionally to this day; his most recentAffection.
work was the script for The Ice Harvest.