Reporter Credits Magnum Steno for Becoming RT Writer and Placing Well in Speed and RT Contests

Hi, Mark,

Here is a praise report: Since regularly practicing with the club and continually refining my writing, I accept realtime jobs now with confidence. I used to dread taking realtime jobs, but now I look forward to it.

The Lord willing, I will be at the NCRA convention in Louisville this year. I want to enter the speed and realtime contests. I need a goal, something to work towards...

...Right after I saw you several years ago at the Illinois Court Reporters Association annual meeting in Springfield, Illinois, I aggressively started changing my theory to the Magnum Steno method. I entered the ILCRA speed contest shortly afterwards. I came in third place for the Q & A...

A couple years after that, I entered [a] realtime contest, and I actually scored much higher than full-time CART providers!... Plus, another amazing realtime reporter... was shocked at how my fingers "hardly move" over the keyboard.

I would take your book and study and scrutinize the outlines. My progress certainly didn't happen overnight, but I had a word from God to do realtime, and I just kept at it. You told me one time that you have to really "want this" to pursue realtime excellence. It's not for the faint of heart.

Have a great day! You are a blessing to me and so many others...

A.M.H.

Official Reporter Experiences Magnificent Improvement in Her Writing from the MS Club

Hi, Mark,

I just wanted to first say how much I appreciate the Magnum Steno Club!! We took our first jury trial of the year this week, and I am seeing a magnificent improvement in my writing since trying to improve and convert to the Magnum Steno Theory from Sten-Ed. Thank you for all you do! I love being a member and learn so much by watching your videos as well as the inspiration I receive for your outgoing gratitude to our God for all things -- so thank you and Jordane and everyone there at MS for such a wonderful gift!

Shannon J. Simmons, CSR (TX), CCR (LA), RPR

Official Reporter Spends 15 Years Trying to Pass RPR - Shortens Writing for Three Years and Passes!

Mark,

Thank you for the guidance and recent prayer. After 15 years of trying and getting close with even 94% on some attempts at the 225 test to obtain my RPR, I took your advice and spent three years of just learning your daily briefs and giving myself a chance to reprogram my brain to write short. Here's the result... [She included a photo of her NCRA pass message - MK] I am so thankful someone at an NCRA convention told me about your website. God is so good!!! Thank you, Mark!!!

Psalms 37:4

Melissa Pung

Student Loves Magnum Steno Club - "Daily Regime is Deadly Serious"

Hi, Mark,

I am a student in the early stages of speed building who is thankful for your Magnum Steno Club. My favorite feature is the regular presentation of your own notes to short Q&A takes. This is where my beady eyes home in on surprising new details of your efficient writing.

I am also especially pleased with your literary takes. Here are classy selections--from highbrow journalism, adventure stories, economic and political essays, textbook philosophy, American memoirs, and more.

Your daily regime is deadly serious, I know. I like it that as its master guide you are so friendly, spreading cheer along the way!

DeAnn DeLuna

Student with Brain Injury Finds Help and Inspiration in the Club

Mark,

Thank you for sharing the story of Seabiscuit and his triumph against War Admiral. [This video is located at Archive > Instructional Videos in the Club - MK] This was very inspiring to me because I am an underdog. When I was young, I listened to my favorite songs on the cassette tape. I would fast forward one sentence/phrase and write down the lyrics. I learned English as a second language by listening to the songs and writing the lyrics verbatim.

In 2017, I heard about court reporting when I went to an informational meeting on Steno A-Z. I was intrigued because I didn't realize court reporting was a career. I attended class and struggled the first few weeks. By the third week, I was getting the hang of it. I was hooked on Steno and took the introductory class several times. I eventually enrolled in court reporting school. I am determined to be successful so I can be a role model for my son Michael.

Last August, I had a cycling accident which caused TBI (traumatic brain injury) or concussion. I lost my ability to communicate because my words did not match my thoughts. I experienced extremely slow word retrieval. The word that finally popped out was a rhyming word, similar word, or something totally inappropriate. I wasn't sure how I could continue my education. Fortunately, the accident knocked some sense into me. I learned to adapt and simplify my life. Against overwhelming odds, I pulled off a 4.0 and made it on the honor roll.

I want to soar but I'm saddled with cumbersome weights. The theory I'm learning is quite stroke intensive. We are strongly encouraged to adhere to the theory, to stroke everything out, and to occasionally use some briefs. My training has left me frustrated, unhappy, and stuck at 60 wpm.

Fortunately, I found the Magum Steno Club on June 24th. I was able to simplify my writing and passed my first 80 wpm test on June 30th. I'm so excited to start my adventure with the Magnum Steno Club.

I came to this race an underdog, but I will finish a champion. I have a dream to be a court reporter. I will pursue my dream until I reach my goal. Thank you for bringing me closer to my dream.

Sincerely,

Dolly R.

Student Loves Club and is Encouraged by Today's Video to Change Her Goals Mindset

Hello,

I've been a member of your club for around a year. I wanted to email you several times and procrastinated every time. There have been several times when I have related to things you've said and thought you were speaking directly to me and where I am in my CR journey. Today was another time when you've said some things that spoke directly to me.

I've been on a long journey to become a captioner. I'm currently in an online program that's self-paced...

Everything you said today [1-6-21 daily video - MK] resonated with me because that's what I'm going through right now. I've set a goal of just finishing school and working as a captioner. I was very vague and general. I know there's more to it than just getting through school. From what I've learned there are certification tests and 225 isn't really fast enough. I like what you said about setting higher goals. I will do that from now on. I think part of the reason why I haven't achieved my goals is because they weren't specific and set high enough.

I've always been a HUGE fan of your methods of high-speed practice, writing short, and using briefs. My biggest issue is staying on the speaker and getting something down for everything. I'm working on that. I struggle a lot with repeating the words and dropping when I feel myself making a mistake.

I would like to thank you for everything you do. Being in your club has been a huge help. I look forward to practicing your videos and the other items on your site. I'm noticing some improvement in my writing. I'm also practicing more and am more focused and hopeful that I will reach my goals.

Have a good day,

Angela F.

Reporter Passes RPR Jury Charge Leg on 6th Try, Credits Mark's Briefs

Hi Mark,

I just wanted to say thank you for the Magnum Steno Club. After 6 tries I have finally passed my RPR Jury Charge Skills Test with a 97. I think incorporating your briefs for small word phrases really helped a lot!

Thank you so much!

Bridgette S.

Reporter loves Club and is Learning a Lot

Hi Mark,

I'm loving your Steno Club. I am learning so much and working on my concentration much more intensely.

Yesterday, you made me cry [listening to Seabiscuit video], but it was a good cry because I want to fight harder, like Seabiscuit. I needed that encouragement because when you work as a court reporter, people assume you will pass a test. You understand us and I am deeply grateful to you at Steno Club for all the encouraging words. It means a lot to me and all reporters, I'm sure.

Just wanted to let you know how excited I've become at learning and trying again.

Sincerely,

Monica

A Retired Reporter Uses Club to Regain Speed and Pass Texas CSR

Mark,

I reported for 20 years and was retired for 10. I picked up my machine in August 2019 and passed the CSR exam in February with flying colors.

I give you a ton of credit for getting me there. I adopted your practice method and practiced the largest part of my days with 270/280 material from Magnum Steno. The test seemed slow to me and so easy compared to the practice material.

I also typed up several tests every day on ev360 to build up my confidence and seeing each time where I was coming up short.

Thank you Mark!!!

Vikki Koss, CSR

Reporter uses Club to Regain Speed and Pass Texas CSR

Mark,

...I started listening to you in November 2018 because I wanted to start working in Texas, and when I started practicing to take the test there, I realized I had lost a lot of speed. I was nowhere near 225. (That really shocked me)

Anyway, for a time I even wondered if I could write 225 again for 5 minutes. That's when [the Magnum Steno Club] came in. I started listening to your takes and your words of wisdom, and it wasn't long before I knew I could.

Long story short, I passed the March 2019 Texas CSR!

That was my initial goal when I started listening to you, but that quickly changed. I had been burned out of reporting for a long time and wanted out of the profession. I felt underpaid and underappreciated. I had resigned myself to the fact that although I was a good writer, I would never be realtime.

Well, no more! I am now fully aware that the only obstacle to my realtime goals in the past was my Sten-Ed Theory. I am fully confident that I can get my CRR as well as my CMR, and those are two of my new goals.

What I am most grateful for, though, is how, because of your program, my love for reporting has been rekindled. I absolutely love your theory and plan on listening to you for a long time, God willing.

Thank you, again, for all you do for our profession!

I forgot to tell you that I am a CSR in Oklahoma and have been an RPR but dropped it after about eight years. The test I took in March was the easiest test I had ever taken because of the speed that I now have with your theory, and I am just beginning!

Deborah Tidwell, Texas CSR, Oklahoma CSR

Student Grateful for Club

Hi, Mark,

These past few days writing to thank you has been on my mind. I just want you to know how grateful I am to receive your guidance and encouragement. Your videos are helping me have faith. I like your jokes too; I think you're funny.

I've been starting my day practicing your videos right away, and seeing your kind face and just knowing that you are there for support is great and makes each day better for me. It really helps me start my day off on a positive note, and that is a BIG help for me as I tend to get discouraged easily.

I listen to your instructional videos on the way to work and on the way home in my car. They help me a lot. You break it all down to seem possible and that gives me hope. You are helping me to visualize my goal; it's realistic with your theory and method of practicing.

Instead of thinking this is so hard and wondering how others have done it, I'm now thinking I know how to get there and it's going to happen. I see it now.

Thank you sincerely,

L.M.

Reporter Loves Job Now After 1.5 Years in Magnum Steno Club

Hi Mark,

...When I first started [learning your] theory of [Magnum] Steno, it was a bit of a learning curve and very frustrating (something new always is and so is change).

I am now at the point where (and very excited about this part) now that I understand the theory, I am building phrases in my head, on the fly, based off of something I already learned from you previously - and BAM! I try it and it's there! It is already in the dictionary that I purchased from you.

In the beginning, I was wondering how the heck I was going to get all those outlines in my dictionary, but now it seems so easy!! Sticking it out was definitely worth its weight in gold!!!

I am now to a point where some days I LOVE my job, most days enjoying it on the more difficult material, but I am a far cry from where I was 1.5 years ago when I called you crying!

Thank you so much for this [Magnum Steno Club]!!!

Dawn L. Halcisak, CLR

Club Member Describes Applying "Gaming" Mentality to High Speed Practice

Mark,

I have heard you relate steno practice to gaming. I also have been paying closer attention to the idea of getting a stroke for everything. I didn't realize it, but I am closer to a perfect, but drop student than I realized. I prided myself on practicing very high speed material, but lately I began watching my WPM counter in my software. I realized that the number was mostly the same, regardless of whether I wrote below goal speed, at goal speed, or above goal speed. Then I started wondering, how much am I really pushing myself if I'm not even getting more strokes when my speed is lowered?

I saw you talk about your own experience with high speed and how there are takes that you wouldn't be able to transcribe because the notes are too messy. And then suddenly something clicked. If someone as talented at realtime and speed as you has trouble transcribing at speeds much higher than your comfort speed, what makes me think that I should be expecting perfection? I started realizing that I wasn't really pushing myself at the high speeds. I looked at it as, "Okay, so this take is 20% faster than goal speed, so don't expect to get everything. You simply can't. And that's fine." But in letting myself off the hook, I realize now that I simply wasn't pushing myself hard enough.

I've been playing a game based on your videos: I practice at 20% and tell myself I'm playing a game, it's a super tough level but I'm aiming for the high score. I tell myself Believe in Your Training [a Club video], and I do my absolute very best. When I lower it to 15%, I tell myself 'Okay, you already did a much tougher level of this, and so you should definitely be able to get a higher score than 20%. You should definitely be able to get a few more words than you did at the very hardest level. I do this until I am feeling pretty comfortable and then I push my way back up to 20% and when I get to that 20%, instead of my old mentality of thinking 'Don't worry about this take, you can't possibly get it all.' I tell myself I'm at the champion, final level of the game. I've practiced the levels, and I'm definitely going to get a higher score on this 20% than I did on the first time I did this take at 20%.

And I'm pushing! I'm making messy strokes, but I'm pushing and my focus is intense, and I'm doing everything I can, telling myself that it's not every CORRECT stroke that gets me a point, it's EVERY stroke, regardless of how messy it is.

I think for a long time, I was scared that if I wrote messy strokes at high speeds, that would reinforce bad outlines and I'd forever mess up my skill at realtime. But I'm realizing that those messy strokes aren't forever messing up my knowledge of the accurate strokes. When I bring the speed down low enough, my fingers still know the correct outlines!

Anyway, I'm sorry this was so long. I just wanted to say that your gamer mentality advice has really clicked with this fellow gamer <3

Lorna Halbert

Med Mal Reporter Touts Magnum Steno Theory and High-Speed Practice

Mark Kislingbury's Magnum Steno Club is the single best resource I know for shortening your writing. I make the following statement as primarily a medical malpractice freelance court reporter. In Greek, the word "stenosis" means to shorten.

My question to you is, why would you write any other theory than one which shortens your writing? Let me put a sharper tip on that pencil: Why would you write any other theory than one which shortens your theory beyond other theories not by a few percentage points, but by 10, 20, perhaps even 50 percent?

When I learned how to type in high school, I did so on an IBM Selectric. Our teachers were unforgiving and strict, as was that process, and if we made a mistake, we needed to use the "correct" key. Remember that key? The one which activated the white correct-o-strip? Well, if I might be so bold, if you write Mark's theory and make your strokes non-negotiable, that is, you must stroke the correct stroke, you will be writing a theory which enlists a .7 stroke per word stroke, or shorter. What does that mean? That means for multisyllabic words, you hit one stroke.

That is not a radical idea. The word "alcohol," as we learn in most schools, can be briefed as KHOL. Now you've just stroked a three-syllable English word in one stroke. Want more? Want to Hoover up crazy fast testimony as efficiently as possible? Well, you would be crazy not to learn Mark's theory.

Futhermore, his practice routines of praticing at 30 percent above your target speed level where you insist upon staying on the speaker and never missing a single stroke even at the cost of sloppiness, will yield you test passes galore. Ignore Magnum Steno theory and Mark's practice methods at your own demise.

Sincerely,

Paul G. (New York City freelance court reporter.) (Where they talk fast.)

Longtime Club Member Passes RMR Legs with 98 and 99% Accuracy

Good afternoon, Mark.

I hope you're doing well today. I just wanted to give you another update.

After passing both of my realtime tests [NCRA's and California's - M.K.] so I went ahead and signed up and took the RMR.

I passed the literary at 99 percent and jury charge and 260 Q&A at 98 percent!! Magnum Steno strikes again!! Thank you!!

Aaron Perkins, RMR, CRR, CRC

Official Reporter Loves Club and is Ready to Begin Shortening Writing

Good morning, Mark!

Wow! I have spent just a few days in the Magnum Steno club on the free trial code you have provided me. I am so excited and encouraged. I really love the realism of your videos in that you are speaking as a working reporter, not just a steno celebrity lecturing their audience, but as an everyday reporter who is still striving to improve their own skills too!

...I had also attended a workshop by [name withheld], when she came to our agency, that focused on clean writing for realtime. One principle was to come back for endings so as to reduce possible misstrokes. This left me resistant to the idea of "smooshing" endings into my outlines. I have loosened up that idea since I have been pushed to write faster. [Good! - MK] ...I'm ready to re-train my brain...

To summarize, Mark, at this point in my career, I am excited to throw out all the old conventions in my head that hold me back from gaining speed... So, I will definitely be joining the club when the trial runs out...

So far, I love the Magnum Steno Club because you are not just providing practice material, you are providing valuable TOOLS to utilize and maximize the material, and I'm glad that I'm at a point in my career where I'm ready to dive in and not just put in MORE effort to my writing, but the RIGHT kind of effort!

[A FEW DAYS LATER:] Hi, Mark! I'm on a criminal jury trial today, and let me tell you, my fingers are moving so quickly and easily (and cleanly!), and I believe I can credit it to working with the material you have provided in the MSC. It was hard at first, but it's getting easier for me to "get a stroke for every word said" instead of being a "write perfect and drop" reporter. My hesitation has been so much less, and so many of the briefs are sticking. Mostly, it seems like nothing to just move faster - almost like I was not able to move my fingers faster in the past. Thank you!... Thanks for your help and for your instruction! My results have been immediate, and that is soooooo motivating!!!

Rachel R. DeMasi

Official Court Reporter

Online Student Becomes Professional Reporter after Abandoning Phoenix, Learning Mark's Theory

Hi Mark,

I want to send you a testimonial, and I'm sorry it's taken so long! The reason it has is because I've been working like crazy! I'm taking doctors and hearings before judges and boards and all kinds of things that are new and challenging and wonderful! Anyway, I apologize for the long wait , but here it is:

Mark, I want to thank you for the incredible gift that you have given to me and my family through your theory. I started by learning Phoenix Theory up to 120 words per minute, and I knew I needed to make a change. I had heard a lot about not changing theory once you get past 100, but for me, it was weird at first, but it never really caused a problem. I was a student in my 30s, and after changing to your school, I had a first and then second baby. I was certainly not the fastest student to finish, but four years later I had a one- and three-year-old and an amazing new career.

I want others to know that this is an attainable career, especially with your theory and instruction and daily practice. My favorite video of all time is "Instant, Instant, Instant" [in the Instructional Videos - MK]. That one was ground-breaking for me. I love writing your theory with about 6 months now under my belt, and I'm so excited to see where I am in the coming years. Thank you a million times!!

Carrie Gold

Reporter Uses Club to Pass RMR Q&A and CRR in One Month

After years of intermittent attempts at the CRR and a 21-year gap since I had passed all of my Merit legs except for the Q&A, I made a commitment to myself to get serious and obtain my outstanding certifications. However, like all working reporters, my time is at a premium and I needed to find a practice method that was results-oriented. So I signed up for Mark Kislingbury's Magnum Steno online and dedicated myself to my goal.

Within days, my writing style changed, allowing me to easily build speed. After one month of practice, I passed my CRR and RMR Q&A leg within two weeks of one another. If you're questioning how to improve your writing, the answer is Magnum Steno.

-Margaret M. Kruse, CSR, RMR, CRR

Reporter Commends Mark for Teaching Things She Never Heard in School

Mark,

I was listening to one of your videos yesterday -- I can't recall if it was yesterday's video or one from the archives -- but you were talking about a student attending a conference where they were told not to brief. I almost fell out of my chair. Really flabbergasting. Briefs have saved my goose from getting cooked many times when I was in school. Most are easy enough to memorize and become a part of you and flow naturally from your fingers, as they ought to. My writing is far from yours because I didn't take your theory, but I have always been eager to find briefs for words.

I would like to say I commend you for your method of teaching. I won't say where I attended school because I don't want to denigrate those fine ladies there, but I will say, between you and me, the instruction was pretty inadequate. My theory teacher said she never used briefs. She wasn't the most positive influence to have begun the course with, but I made it through. As I moved into speeds, I realized that I had to learn many things by accident. I remember going into the "Learn Four Voice" class and, since it was already in progress, I sat down and had no clue what the arbitraries were. I had to stop the teacher, embarrassed, and ask her how to write "The Court." She told me. But this is how things were. Speed class instructors never really "instructed." They dictated. I had so many questions, and often I knew there were things I was missing but didn't even know what questions to ask!

I like how you have instructional videos and take time to just talk and reveal knowledge. This is something I always wanted and never really received. I think my school thought it did enough by inviting guest speakers from time to time who talked about their experience out in the field. I did enjoy the internship and had at least one reporter that really took the time to talk about her day-to-day responsibilities as a working reporter. But I do wish my school had been more forthcoming.

I have said all this to say that you have a very unique and wonderful approach to this field and the students who are embarking upon it. I can see why your graduates are so successful.

Thanks for listening.

Caryn D.

Advanced Student Loves Magnum Steno Club

Happy New Year, Mark!

...I just wanted to let you know that both yesterday's (the [Speed Building is] Struggle) and today's video (Legos) impacted me greatly. You described me to a "T" yesterday -- my son and husband are gamers, and I just do not have the mental will to tackle the learning curve [to master video games] ... Just admitting it and knowing how court reporting relates helps me tackle my practice with new resolve. I love the language part of this task and struggle with the video game part of it. Praying that as I continue to apply myself, God will do the rest. (I am at about 180).

Regarding the Legos [video] -- that was a great picture (and I know that you give examples all of the time), especially comparing the small segments of writing and the difference in speed numbers just phrasing the little words. Thank you for your patience and persistence -- I have done some shortening but get fearful that I just cannot handle any more change. Once again you showed the necessity. I am so encouraged that I will be able to conquer the speed as I learn more phrases.

Thanks for the work that you put into this club and how you make it accessible to us out here!

M. M.

New RPR Reporter Credits Magnum Steno Club for Passing, Calling it "Gold Mine"

Hi Mark,

I want to share with you the great news that I passed the RPR last week! Yes indeed! I think I took it 15 times until I passed all three legs.

I first discovered the Magnum Steno Club five years ago when I first started trying to pass the RPR, and I have been using it as my sole practice material ever since. Thank you so much. You have helped me tremendously. Your website is a gold mine. Thank you for making it so affordable to have access to it.

G-d bless you,

Baila S.

Reporter Raves of Mark's Phrases Helping on Her Job

Mark,

I just had to send you an email to thank you for saving me yesterday! Greta Duckett and I have been at the St. Clair Correctional Facility in the big metropolis of Springville, Alabama, for the past few days. She took the first and third days. I had the second day. (Due to her conflict, I was sandwiched in there to cover.)

But anyway.....I used all of your "way" briefs: hallway (said at least 100 times), doorway, stairway (again, at least 100 times), halfway, in a way, right away, away.....Omgoodness, I loved, loved, loved that I already had your final "-FRTS" briefs for all of them. We also put our heads together and came up with KRAUFR for correctional officer and KRAUFRS for corrections officer just on the fly. But it's another "add-on" concept like "post office" or "doctor's office" that made yesterday so much smoother for me than if I'd've done these depos, say, a year ago.

Greta and I also remembered that you had a brief for St. Clair.....said at least a million times yesterday. hahaha

I'm combining so many little phrases that are said over and over that I never "heard" before thanks to you. Instead of two-stroking "each other," now I do KHOERGT....instead of two-stroking "much more," now I do PHUFRP.....instead of two-stroking "every single" or three-stroking "every single time," I do EFRNG and EFRNGT, respectively. Date of birth is no longer three strokes. It's just TKEURGT.

I cannot thank you enough for even sharing all of your knowledge with us out here in the court reporting world. And I've been doing your MSC speed takes any and every chance I get....not only was yesterday fun for me due to your briefs, it was fun because I was never overwhelmed.....speakers just sound "slower" in person now. Hearing Q&A at 280+ helps me master the slower-speaking Southern attorneys these days who miiiiiiiiiiiiiight top out at 220, 225 if they're excited about saying something.

You are my CR hero!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Sincerely,

Wendy Myhan

Another Reporter Credits Magnum Steno Club for Finally Passing CSR

Mark,

I just want to thank you for your incredible words of wisdom on the Magnum Steno Club. With your help, I passed the Illinois CSR!!!!! This was my sixth time taking the exam and I was beginning to get discouraged. I knew I was capable of passing, but I lacked speed, and test nerves got me down.

A coworker told me about your club, so I decided to check it out! Instantly I felt my speed increase and my accuracy improve.

The week before the test, I listened to your test prep videos. These helped me keep focused and keep my eyes on the prize.

At the test site, I remembered "joycellence" and the relaxation techniques, and these really helped me stay calm and relaxed. I wanted to share with you how excited I am and what an amazing feeling this is! Judges, attorneys, and fellow court reporters keep coming in my office and telling me congratulations and sharing in my excitement!

I owe a lot of credit to you and your club! I couldn't have passed without those 300+[wpm] testimonies!!!

Thanks again,

Shannon N., CSR!!!

Student Lands CART Job After Shortening Writing with Magnum Steno

Mark,

I received a part-time job offer doing CART in a college setting. It's between 20-30 an hour and is easily the most I will have made on an hourly basis. School graduation obviously remains the priority, but it does show me my writing has improved.

There's no way I would have received this offer without your dynamic writing system and teachings. Years ago, when I started writing short, I tried CART and she said I could come back voluntarily. Now, it is different.

But now, I have to write shorter still... I've also received awards/recognition for my other part-time jobs, which will be by the wayside soon enough. I think your writing system just creates so much less anxiety, and that is probably apparent.

Again, thanks for being there.

Matt H.

Phoenix Theory Writer Makes Huge Strides in Shortening Using Mark's Theory Ideas

Mark,

Just for fun, I went through the dictation today at a very slow speed so I could write a minute or so perfectly, just so I could accurately get the number of strokes I write.

Here's what I found:

Counting the first 313 words (not including Q&A's and punctuation), I wrote 253 strokes (which includes all Q&A and punctuation strokes.) (I also missed a few briefs I usually use. So that total would probably be more like 250.) [This equates to 81 strokes per 100 words, a figure worthy of high praise! - MK]

As we were going through your review of your writing, I noticed that I was probably about 90% as short as your writing is for that take! With the exception of my "a," "the" and comma and period, my writing is nearly identical to yours. Yes, I've been doing a LOT of studying of your theory.

So It's been close to two years since I've used purely Phoenix. So I can barely even remember how my writing was. It's funny, because in some ways it doesn't even seem very long ago. But I went through that 313 words and counted how many I would have written before starting Magnum Steno. I counted 338!!! And that was even with me doing a lot of Phoenix briefs and phrasing like "that was" and "where were" briefs. And I'm almost certain that's a very conservative estimate. Because I caught myself several times counting certain words as one stroke when it should have been two or three. So I'm sure I missed some and it should be more like 345+ strokes for my Phoenix style.

I also noticed that this dictation wasn't extra rich in a lot of the phrasing I use. For instance, things like "And I wouldn't have been" or "because you were not," weren't in this transcript. Also, there weren't many -ed and -ing words in this transcript, which I used to write in separate strokes. (why I was taught to do that, I have no clue.) So in many cases, the disparity of my writing in 2013 compared to now would be even far greater! But I think this little sample pretty well illustrates how much shorter my writing is.

Thank you so much for your help and your theory! I started doing realtime in court a couple days ago for the very first time. With Phoenix, I wouldn't have had a PRAYER doing realtime. Some people can do it with Phoenix. I just couldn't. No matter how hard I tried.

Anyway, you really have changed my life and the direction of my career. No question. I still have a lot of work to do. But I've come so far. I'm starting to eye the RMR now. I think I can get it next year if I practice every day.

Thanks again!

David Rhoads, RPR, CSR #13508

SDCRC

Reporter Reports Great Results from Mark's First Book and Writing Shorter

Hi Mark,

I've decided to buy your theory book and try to work with it on my own... with the help of the Magnum Steno Club, of course. I already have your Road to Realtime book ["My System: The Road to Realtime Excellence, by Mark Kislingbury, available in NCRA store, only $12 as of 1-7-15!!] and it did help a ton.

I actually provided realtime for judges for years, but I think I was just average (they never complained, but...) Just shortening my writing and using your method with numbers has done wonders already.

My next goal is going to be to pass the RPR so I can get some work in Virginia and surrounding areas when I relocate. :)

Again, thanks so much for all you do!!

Sue Dalton

Veteran Reporter Recommends Club with Befitting Brevity and Pun

Hey, Mark,

As Sir William Jones once said, "Never neglect an opportunity for improvement."

Briefly put: After 35 years of reporting, one thing I've learned is, there is no better opportunity for improvement than the Magnum Steno Club. Do yourself and your clients a favor, join now.

Frank Frontino, RPR-CSR

Reporter Excited About "Amazing" Improvement After Only One Month in Club

Mark,

I want to tell you that I'm so excited. I've been in the Club about a month working on shortening my writing, I had the wide d/z key put on my machine, and daily practice. I'm on a trial this week and my writing is amazing. My fingers are flying and realtime is so clean. There's more briefs I hear to write, but I'm not sure they're in my dictionary. Mostly tucking in the final G, but for the judge, I need it to be clean.

I realized by doing your method of speed practicing that I never wanted to write messy. Now when I let my fingers go, it's a mess but it's working!! Plus I'm having a lot of fun with it. Thanks for your assistance.

Terri Fidanza

200wpm Student Loves the Club and Finds Motivation and "Incredible Impact"

Mark,

I'm a night student in a 200 speed building class. I had been lacking the motivation to practice, and then tried the week trial of your website, and was awestruck by how helpful it is to me. In fact, I will go on the monthly subscription.

"God bless YOU for your encouraging words and motivating tips on your instructional videos!" [I haven't experienced anyone that] encouraged/motivated students like you do! I appreciate the expertise with which you instruct, and I am so very grateful for the motivational and spiritual encouragements.

God bless you now and always for your giving heart. You have made an incredible impact on my life and on my desire to pass the CSR.

With much appreciation,

J.R. Ramos

Captioner/Caption Firm Owner/NCRA Speed Contest Reporter/RMR Endorses Writing Short

Mark Kislingbury's contribution to the closed-captioning and court reporting industry is a true inspiration. After many years of writing everything out, I attended one of Mark's seminars four years ago, and thereafter changed my writing style to incorporate his methods and techniques. It was a difficult transition in the beginning, but now I write most of my words in one stroke and am loving it.

In my experience, Mark's techniques and methods produce superior results in the closed-captioning and court reporting professions.

Patricia Ferrier, RMR, CRR, CSR

Reporter Sees Improvement Immediately Upon Starting to Shorten

Hey Mark:

I just had to let you know that I was very glad to meet you at the [USCRA] seminar [in Chicago] this past Saturday. I immediately the next day went through the book and incorporated outlines that were easy for me to catch onto very quickly. (will tackle the harder ones later). That was Sunday. I remember at the seminar you mentioned how you can see a difference in your writing just by changing a few things.

Well, you were absolutely correct. I had just told another reporter friend before the seminar that I just can't seem to get past 96 percent in writing. Well, I took a BIOS 320 CART class on Wednesday, (that I have been doing all semester and was still at the end of the 50 minute class it was 96 percent) and as I was writing it I could feel that it felt easier and the teacher didn't seem as fast. And at the end lo and behold, 99 percent accuracy. I almost screamed. I couldn't believe it. After I calmed down, I said well maybe this was a fluke. But I took a deposition an hour later and it was 98 percent.

I am on Cloud 9. I will be going through the book every day. I even did some Ted Talks [online motivational speaker videos - MTK] and I could feel the difference in my writing. I feel a lot calmer and in control. Just want to say thanks a lot. I am so glad I made it to the seminar.

Gwen B.

Student Passes CSR Qualifier, Credits Magnum Steno Club and High-Speed Method

Hi, Mark!!

I've been meaning to write to you for the past couple of weeks, and I finally have time to sit down and write an e-mail!

After many years of going to CR school (and quitting twice), I have passed my qualifier!! I'm so grateful to you and your Magnum Steno program for giving me that extra push I needed to pass that last test!!

I will be going to the California July CSR exam and couldn't be happier. Before I started your program, I couldn't get below a -100, and now I am consistently getting in the 60's and 70's, but passed that one qualifier at a -47!! I will take it!!

Thank you so much for your daily support through Magnum Steno!! I couldn't have done this with your speed method!!

God bless!!

Carly Garton, Hearing Reporter and future CSR

Two Reporters Credit Magnum Steno Club for Graduating School

Good morning,

I just wanted to let you know it was so wonderful meeting you at the DRA convention. I was the shorter one that was talking to you with Kim. We graduated from Sage and are now working reporters.

I just wanted to let you know that you are truly an inspiration. It is so nice to know that even after we graduate from school, there is still someone who genuinely cares about bettering this profession and helping fellow reporters. I swear by your method, and anytime anyone asks if there are any suggestions on how to get out of school faster or to be a better writer, I tell them Magnum Steno Club! You truly care about helping anyone that wants to better themselves.

Also, congratulations on the Realtime contest!! Maybe one day I can be up there competing with you, hopefully!

Anyway, again, it was great to meet you in person, and thank you for all you do for all the reporters and students out there! You are amazing!

Elizabeth P. Mesa, CSR

California Certified Shorthand Reporter No. 13903

Reporter Credits Club and Mark's Theory for Passing RMR

Mark,

...I want to thank you for helping me pass my [Registered] Merit [Reporter] test in Nov. Your theory and Magnum Steno Club made it possible. Next is the Realtime [CRR] test. I know with your help, I'll succeed there as well. Hope to meet you at a LiveNote seminar soon. Thanks for all your contributions to our profession.

Michelle Palamarchuk, RMR

Reporter Thanks Mark, Credits His Methods for Her Doing Well in Difficult Hearing

Mark,

I just wanted to drop you a quick note that in the last year I have achieved steno-awesomeness due to your methods!

I handled a three-day hearing for the Department of the Interior, Office of Surface Mining Hearings and Appeals. Needless to say, that this is not the terminology I normally hear. Yes, it was very dense and technical and kicked my rear. However, I had time to fingerspell words and partial words, i.e., isolines, triangulated, in situ, polygon.

So THANK YOU!! because without the speed practice and briefs for the small words, there would have been no way to keep up and have time to fingerspell!

Thank you Thank you Thank you!

Shelley Ottwell, CSR

High-Speed Student Starts Fri. Night Practice Club Based on MSC!

Mark,

It has been a little while since we last emailed so I wanted to update you. I'm continuing to work in the Magnum Steno Club every day. As a Phoenix-trained writer I have a major mountain to climb to make these higher speeds happen. After the convention some of the students you met from Atlanta and I started a Friday practice club. We do your Friday dictation every week, and we do fun, outside-the-box things like work on briefs & finger drills with classical music in the background, talk software tips, write pop music, share shortening techniques, etc. It's a great time for an online student like me to enjoy a little steno 'shop-talk.'...

I sat for the RPR this past weekend and it only affirmed for me that I need to amplify my work on the three pillars of the Magnum Steno Club. I've practiced at and above those RPR speeds, but my Phoenix foundation really hampers what I can do north of 160. I've re-dedicated myself to shortening, and using Natural Reader I can now drill the briefs from the Magnum Steno book daily. I think that is going to have a dramatic impact on my abilities. This week I've added over 200 words from the Common Multisyllabic section to my daily drill list, and I'm just scratching the surface. I love the Dictionary Challenge as I aspire to eventually work in all stenographic settings...

Anyway, just wanted to say hello, and thank you for what you do. Keep it coming! I'm going to be a major MSC success story soon.

Sincerely,

Matt Moss

Captioner Finds Magnum Steno Club an Indispensable Tool for Her Captioning

Hello,

...I was an official court reporter for 5 years and recently transitioned to captioning. I joined the Magnum Steno Club to increase my speed and also my ability to hold that high speed for a longer period of time. I noticed a huge difference practicing 3, 4, sometimes 5 or more times a day. The dexterity in my fingers even felt better.

I cancelled my membership a little over a month ago. I left my court reporting job so I could be home with my kids, and only captioning part time, my funds were a little low.

I'm happy to say that I have rejoined and hope to be able to stay a member, as I feel it is an indispensable tool in my career right now! My fingers weren't getting the warm-up they needed before captioning and I was getting TIRED at about 6 minutes into my show. I appreciate the time you take out of your day to help court reporters/captioners, and just wanted to let you know that.

God's Peace,

A. M.

Reporter Excited About "Getting" Magnum Steno Theory

Mark,

...just to let you know, when I first purchased my Magnum Steno Book about 2 - maybe 3 years ago (cannot remember when, exactly) I only dabbled with it because I was a little intimidated. But since our telephone talk a month or so back, I have totally embraced it. I am excited to write on my machine again. I tear pages out, bring them to work and work on them every chance I get! For some reason, now I totally "get" your theory whereas when I first got the book, I couldn't quite grasp some of your methods and I shied away from using the book.

Now I wake up in the morning, saying to myself, "Gotta get downstairs to my machine and to my Magnum Steno Book!" Ha, ha! It's great! So rejuvenating! I was going to wait a little bit before I shared this with you, but I am just so unbelievably psyched about how it is truly clicking! The only regret I have, of course, is not having it click right away :) So for any new purchasers out there, I hope they keep a more open mind than I had - it will save them sooooooo much time, frustration and money!!!!

Thanks again and again and again! You, the Magnum Steno Book and the Magnum Steno Club have been a true blessing for me!

Marcia McMullen

Student Stuck at 160-170 Discovers Club, Applies its Principles, Steadily Gains Speed, Passes CSR

Mark,

I started learning your theory at my school at about 160-170 wpm. This is a turning point at my school for many reasons. First, the tests go from 5 minute only being tested on familiar material, to 10 minute tests of unfamiliar material. Many students get here and plateau HARD. I was one of those students.

My theory is a write-everything-out theory. We learned a small handful of briefs (maybe 100-200) and many of them were, in my opinion, completely worthless (good many is G-M for example). I was always trying to shorten my writing on my own, making up briefs to the best of my ability, but because of my write-it-all-out theory, my ideas would often conflict and I would leave out integral sounds/parts of the word/phrase, making it difficult to read back and remember what I had written down in the first place. Also, my school didn't give us a lot of push speeds. We would go up to about 180 when the test I needed was 170. In addition, I was required to attend my trail class of 140-150 wpm. So there was a lot of writing out and a very little bit of push speed.

Then I found the Magnum Steno Club. I can't really recall where I heard about it from, although I think I may have stumbled upon it looking for my Lightspeed writer. So I signed up for a free week trial and that's when my theory began to evolve.

The first thing I did was go to brief groups 1. I remember learning final ~was, initial SKP for and, and a few briefs I didn't have but really proved useful. From there I went to the instructional video section and learned that not only me, but a majority of people can't get past certain speeds. At that point I realized it was up to me to better myself, and that the two pillars of the MSC would give me the foundation I needed to learn how to write faster than I thought possible.

Long story short, I started shortening my writing and practicing at high speeds (30% faster than my goal). The tricky part was learning to concentrate 100% while I was getting maybe one out of 5 words. Slowly but surely I learned to focus harder, control my breathing better, and get those fingers moving stronger and faster. Eventually my brain learned that words come way faster than I can keep up with. This in turn made my brain work harder, which in turn made my concentration/speed go up.

One of the ways I practiced learning briefs was on my familiar material. I would pyramid (the method my school suggested) only this time I would pyramid with the briefs and phrases learned in magnum steno. I found this to be one of the best ways to solidify strokes into my memory.

About 3-4 months after practicing "~was" phrases and such, I passed a 10 min 170 (albeit and easy one).

*side note* I didn't have the financial aid available to purchase the Magnum Steno Book, which has all the theory Mark uses in it. So I would email Mark (sometimes daily) with words I would like to shorten and he would respond (sometimes daily) with how he did would write them. He is very compassionate and dedicated to helping literally EVERYONE, even random strangers on the internet!

So after applying the method for about a year (it was tricky to unlearn many of the techniques I had applied for years), I started to notice that my writing was coming out faster, cleaner, and with less effort. I then passed my 180. At this point, my new theory had sunk in, and the 190's and 200 quickly fell next. I had only my qualifier left, which took me about 3 months of practice to get to the point of passing, but by this point I was probably over 200 WPM. This meant I was ready for my CSR exam.

A few months later I took the exam and passed on my first try. Now I've got my license and am ready to begin working as a freelance deposition reporter, but not before finishing my proficiencies at school, going up to 180 literary, 200 jury charge, and 225 QA. I'm still training for my RPR exam, which I plan to take in a few months.

After that, I'll be taking as many realtime certifications as possible, as well as training to pass my RMR and whatever other tests I can pass.

If there's one thing I've learned from my time in the steno club, it is that we are SHORTHAND REPORTERS! Don't make yourself a longhand reporter; don't write everything out! It's absolutely crippling to your potential. It's absolutely possible to pass your CSR and RPR and even RMR writing everything out, but I believe you limit the higher potentials you have inside of you.

Thanks to the MSC, I not only have a foundation for my writing, but more importantly the CONCEPT of shorter writing, which I can make my own to best suit my own style. It's all about making your writing your own style, something with Mr. Kislingbury deserves highest accolades for.

Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge and theories with us Mark! We are blessed to have a mind like yours in this field. =)

Love and blessings,

Justus

Formerly Struggling Student Takes Mark's Advice and Possibly Passes RPR, Excited About Progress

Dear Mr. Kislingbury,

Hello... I have been a member of the Magnum Steno Club since January of this year. I spoke to you back in June because I felt I was not seeing much improvement in my writing. We talked for a while, and we came to the conclusion I needed to be practicing 99% fast writing (25% more than the speed I am trying to pass) and 1% at the 180 and 225 speeds which I am working to pass for the RPR.

Well, I took the RPR this past weekend, and I was able to stay on top of the speaker on both the literary and testimony! While transcribing I did hit some problem areas, but I tried my best to work through them. I was able to transcribe both tests and hand both in. I don't know if I passed, but I do feel so much better about my writing and how much faster and stronger I feel as a writer.

I love practicing fast now, and I am no longer afraid to practice at high speeds like I once was. For me, writing fast is like running a race. I love the way my fingers feel when they write fast. I concentrate and work hard to stay on the speaker. I don't always achieve that, but that is my goal. I can honestly say I do believe I can do this, and I will do this.

Thank you for your positive "Test Day one through five" videos. They helped a lot as well. I will keep practicing and listening to you because I know you are right in what you teach. Thank you again, and I will let you know when I become a certified court reporter.

Sincerely,

Mona L.

Inspired 56-Year-Old Reporter Follows Mark's Principles All the Way to Silver Medal in Q&A Speed Contest

Mark,

August 2007. NCRA Convention, Dallas. I am 50. I decide to take the speed contest and realtime contest. Good for me, right?

Following the speed contest, Mark walks into the dictation room and says, "Anyone here a first timer?" Another reporter and I raised our hands. His reply, "Well, I think that might just have been the hardest test given." [Only 2 qualifiers overall, a record - MK]

WHAT?! REALLY?! I handed it in but knew it was a lost cause.

Lost cause? Lost battle maybe, but the war was yet to be fought. I bought Mark's first book. In the ensuing years I worked on shortening my writing, attended another MK seminar, bought his latest book, continued to shorten, but not really practice.

A friend and co-worker was trying to get ready for her RPR, so I suggested we practice at my office once a week. Great, but not really fast enough for a speed contest. I thought of Mark and his Steno Club, and I was on a mission.

I had decided to attend the convention in Nashville, and I once again clicked the speed and realtime contest buttons -- gulp!!

I joined the club, was pretty faithful in logging on every day, and practiced outside of Mark's daily dictation as well. That Mark was pursuing a goal was a motivation in and of itself!! [Mark trained for 2013 world record 370wpm+] I just wanted to qualify in one leg.

Driving 8 1/2 hours -- 560 miles -- on Tuesday, I sped to make it for practice dictation for the speed contest. I made for the last hour. When Wednesday came, I was surprisingly calm. I had written from Mark's dictation, taken many of his tips, added briefs -- 1,000 in the month of July -- and took a deep breath. And I was hopeful at the end of the day.

Thursday was more nerve-racking for me. Lack of food and sleep had me even more nervous. I never looked at my screen, just kept my head down and wrote for the realtime.

Saturday came, and Mark and I coincidentally ended up sitting next to each other, although at different tables. I did not even realize he was there until I turned my chair to hear the announcements.

Realtime results were first -- I QUALIFIED IN THE LITERARY!! I had achieved my goal!! I was so excited!! But now I had drunk the Kool-Aid. I wanted to qualify in the Q&A. AND I DID!! Holy cow!! I was levitating!! Now the speed contest. Could I qualify there, as well? I DID!! I finished in the top 10 in literary and legal opinion, AND I WON SECOND IN Q&A WITH 14 ERRORS AND 99 PERCENT!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!

I have been a reporter since 1979, I am 56 years old, and I qualified in every leg and won a medal in the speed contest!!

Why? Because I embraced the philosophy of a man who is truly a genius in stenography. Write short. Learn the language -- which at his seminar on Saturday -- at 7:30?! -- he called me out as I had just said, I will continue to incorporate briefs that make sense to me. He was talking to me when he said, "Did SKWR- look like a 'J' to you?" Ouch. I will be "learning" the RHPEs [right-hand phrase enders] with due diligence!!

So, thank you, Mark Kislingbury, for selflessly making this career I so love more fun every day, and, thank you, Steno Club, for MY SECOND PLACE MEDAL! Now, bring on Monday's dictation!!

With much gratitude,

Karen L. Tyler, RDR, CRR, CCR(LA), CSR(TX); Medalist, Second Place, 280 Q&A Speed Contest 2013; Qualifier in four remaining legs

Disenchanted Phoenix Student Finds Success Incorporating Magnum Steno Briefs and Principles

Hi Mark,

I watched the interviews with Melody today, and Part 1 particularly caught my attention.

I feel like I am in a similar situation as Melody was when she first started school. A month before I started court reporting school, I was so eager to begin my studies that I asked the registrar at my future school if there was anything I could do to prepare and get ahead. He said no, and that I strictly shouldn't begin early because they wanted to make sure that I was "taught properly". I disagreed, so I started studying out of the theory book anyways. When we began, I was already a little familiar with the machine, and was comfortable with the positioning of the hands, arms and body. Our classes were only about an hour a day, four days a week, and our tuition was about $1000 a month (plus books). We also started with a stress management course, which was all online. Other than that one hour of class time a day, we were expected to learn theory on our own, using the Phoenix Theory books and the online dictations. I was so angry because before starting school, I was told not to learn by myself so that I could be "taught properly", and here we were being told to learn by ourselves! The speeds we were doing (20-25wpm) were so slow that it wasn't challenging at all. We were told that we absolutely had to write everything out, and that if we used briefs in the tests, they would be counted as errors! Though I was angry and disappointed, I found that there was no one to hear me. Neither the instructors nor the other students cared about challenging the system and stepping outside the box. Something was very wrong, but no one could help me. I considered changing to another school, but the only other school in my area taught Sten-Ed, which is no improvement on Phoenix. I completed theory early. In Speedbuilding, I encountered students who were a year or so more advanced than I, but could barely write at 50-60wpm. In my first month of Speed Building, I went from 40wpm to 90wpm, and in my second month, to 100wpm.

That's when I discovered Mark Kislingbury. The more I watched your videos and read your books, the more I was convinced that I had been duped all along. All this time, I knew something was wrong, but I couldn't put my finger on it until I saw what you were doing. The moment I started incorporating briefs and phrases into my writing, I suddenly started passing tests again. I felt more confident in class, and more confident about my future. I've always been the type to work hard and succeed, but one cannot succeed in court reporting without the proper tools. I believe Phoenix Theory is there to ensure that as many people fail as possible. Unfortunately, Phoenix was my foundation, but I am working hard at fusing Phoenix with Magnum [Steno theory] to make it work for me. I can't help but wonder how far along I would've been had I started on Mark Kislingbury's theory from the beginning like Melody did. I am glad I have "seen the light" and undertook to reeducate myself. As a result, I believe I will be successful in school, God willing. 120wpm is starting to feel comfortable. I just received your Magnum book and am learning and improving every day.

In my individual chats with my instructor (which happen bi-weekly), I have had next to no guidance. I express all my concerns and ask questions and am given no answers except to "keep at it". No one has ever sat next to me and checked my writing or given me pointers. It's all well and good to teach yourself, but I find it ridiculous to have an expensive in-class program when there is no benefit and no one can offer any help or insight. During class and between dictations, I see most students fiddling on their phones or on Facebook and not analyzing their writing, making notes, or anything like that. There is something very wrong with this. I value my time (even more than money) and Magnum has inspired me to focus 100%.

You see, Melody and I noticed that there was a problem, but we knew it was with the school system. So many others notice that they are not improving, but they don't question or apply any critical thought to the world around them. I am saddened when I see my classmates comfortably stagnating. When I explain my new practice regime to those who ask how I managed to improve so quickly, they tell me I am going to ruin everything that I've learned so far, not realizing the contradiction in this statement. They refuse to do anything differently because it's difficult to step outside of one's comfort zone. Sadly, these people will not make it to graduation, and will spend thousands of dollars in continuing education only to reach a dead end. Or, like you say, maybe around 1-2% will make it writing everything out.

This has been my experience in court reporting school, and I can relate to what Melody was saying in the video. It's encouraging to see that I'm not alone, and that there is hope.

Have a nice day!

Natalie

Student Attributes Mark's Short Writing Advice to Improving Her Arm Pain and Soon Be CSR

Hello Mark,

It's me, Cindy Garcia, from CA with the troubled arm. Because of you, I brief A LOT and my arm/muscle feels, I would say, about sixty percent better.

...since I have been so stubborn about most briefs, I finally gave in with your way of briefing. Somehow listening to you made me realize I needed to change my way of writing and now I can get under 100 mistakes on the qualifier. Any day now I'll be a CSR.

...I've been here so long that I hear it all and notice [that my school] Sage is all about the statistics and they want their students to pass so they could keep up with their statistics to keep their school open. The teachers give us lists and lists of briefs and tell us to practice them 50 times each.

...I really love the way YOU teach us and I wish I knew about you when I was in a lower speed. I think I got too comfortable writing the same way year after year in school, but now you have helped me to change a lot. I feel when listening to you every day at school (Sage Lab, internet) I love my machine again, and you opened a whole new world for me on briefing and explaining to me where my faults are. I never knew that I was misstroking all these years and practicing my misstrokes for hours and hours a day. Now I practice about 15 to 20 minutes three times a day the right strokes and a whole lot of briefing.

...THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING. You don't even know what you have done to my life by changing my writing for the better. Now, I can honestly say "I can do it." I have been struggling for so long. YOU truly are an Angel and saved my life... You are my hero. I would love to encourage my fellow court reporting students to get the help I got while listening to you. I am loving my machine again, because of you, and that's a fact.

Respectfully Cynthia A. Garcia, Sage College, CA

Stuck Student Tries Magnum Steno Club Methods, Passes Tests, and Gains Renewed Motivation

Hello Mark,

Since I last wrote, I have made good progress.

In May I was frustrated because I felt that our school did not give us enough resources to be successful in increasing speed. Many students here have been stuck at 80wpm or 100wpm for almost two years. Some do Continuing Education for many additional years and waste large amounts of money, never to graduate. I was terrified to fall into that category. With determination and perseverance, I decided I would try to rise to the occasion and graduate on time. Recognizing that I needed help was my first victory.

I contacted you and used the [Magnum Steno Club] trial membership you offered. Immediately, I knew that this was something that would be very useful. The material on the site renewed my motivation, and I started shortening my writing and working on my technique. This helped build up my steno confidence, and since then I have passed my remaining Q&A and Lit at 100wpm with over 98% accuracy. Here are just some of my achievements:

• I have been practicing three times a day or more.
• I have been fighting to stay on the speaker as much as I can.
• I emailed Audrey to get your updated list of right-hand phrase endings and have been gradually incorporating those into my writing.
• I have been memorizing, practicing, and creating my own briefs for words and phrases.
• I have shared my new knowledge with a friend in my class, and we have both seen an improvement and passed tests we had been struggling on.
• Your book, "My System," has been useful in helping me realize all that was missing from my theory. I've added hundreds of entries into my personal dictionary that our school told us we didn't need (e.g. proper names, rivers, foreign words, scientific terms, etc.)
• I have obtained freelance work doing offline captioning, which enables me to practice even more and build my dictionary.

I am out of my old rut, and have never been so eager and motivated. Though I have been on leave of absence since I started school, I have decided not to go back to my job and only take work that will enable me to practice my steno.

Considering we use Phoenix Theory, it is a personal victory for me to have passed all my 100wpm tests by my tenth month in school (and third month in Speedbuilding). I have found inspiration in the Magnum Steno Club, and I have you to thank for that. I am going to continue working hard at shortening my writing to get better and faster every day.

I may decide to stay enrolled in my current school (though it is very expensive and offers so little), but I will continue to supplement with the Magnum Steno Club.

Thanks again, and have a great day!

Natalie

Reporter Thanks Mark and Club for Helping Her Pass First Two Legs of RMR

Hi, Mark!

Great news! I am on my way to becoming an RMR thanks to you, your site and your encouragement. [She passed the first two legs of May 2013 RMR]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I have been in the business over 20 years. It's taken me a while to catch on, and YES, it is hard work, but writing short is certainly helpful to me! Tell those experienced reporters: yes, they can; I'm proof.

My confidence is up, and I thank you. You are an inspiration, and I certainly needed that because I was feeling incapable for a while. Thank you.

I know you are a busy man, but I will now need to listen to lots of 280s!!! Let's get to it! I want to pass in November.

Elizabeth (Again, I thank you and God!)

Student Credits Magnum Steno Club with Passing Qualifiers and California CSR

Dear Mark,

This e-mail is SOOOOOO overdue, but I've been really busy. It's been a few months since we last corresponded, but better late than never. After 11 months trying to pass my qualifier, I finally did it the last week of February - after being in your Magnum Steno Club for five months. (I was the write perfect and drop reporter you talk about, so it was really hard to break that habit.) Once I did that, I started practicing like crazy for the California state exam, and I passed it on my first try with only 12 errors. Then more studying for WKTs.

Now that my head is no longer buried in my machine/study material, I wanted to thank you. Your website was amazingly helpful for me, and I really feel that I would have been stuck in school for a much longer period of time had I followed their practices instead of yours. My only regret is that I didn't discover you sooner!

I have recommended your site to many of my fellow classmates, and one of them passed her qualifier three weeks after using your site... I plan on using your site once I start working, but I can't thank you enough for helping me achieve my goals as a student. You are amazing!

Thank you so much,

Kimberly K.

Student Feels Good about RPR and Credits Club for Her Improvement

Hello!

This is Carly P. from the Magnum Steno Club, and I took the RPR today. I wanted to thank you for your amazing program. I left school in January and have been solely doing your program every day. I also purchased the Magnum steno book...

I exited school when I was only a few months into the 200 level, so I wasn't solid at 200. Well, today at the RPR, thanks to your program, the 225 testimony felt slow and steady and I actually transcribed it and submitted it to be scored. I transcribed the other two legs and am pretty confident [that I passed] at least one of them...

Also, as an aside, [your] beginning phrases (I, you, we, they, he, she) changed my life. Seriously, it's an amazing system.

Thank you so much!

Carly P.

Student Stuck in Qualifiers Nearly 2 Years Passes After 3 Weeks in Magnum Steno Club

Good morning,

I just wanted to let you know that I think your program is AMAZING! I have been in court reporting school for a long time, longer than I probably should have. I have been in qualifying for almost 2 years. I was stuck and almost started to think that I made the wrong choice for a career. I was ready to quit.

I joined the Magnum Steno Club 3 weeks ago. In that short amount of time, I passed my qualifier this past Thursday! I am now going to the July state exam. I credit that to your program. I had tried everything, and your club was the only thing that was able to give me that extra push to get through. With that said, I want to thank you for putting this out there for everyone. I think it is an amazing club to be a part of!

• 1. I like that the videos are short but just enough practice before starting to lose interest.
• 2. I like that you give us about 20 new briefs every day and they pertain to the dictation for the day.
• 3. I enjoy that you are personable. You make us feel like you are directly talking to us.
• 4. I love how we can e-mail you any question and you respond very quickly and with the perfect answer.
• 5. I love all the instructional videos.
• 6. I love that each video you read at a high speed and then it has a slow-down. It makes the slow-down seem slower than it actually is.

Thank you so much, Mark,

Elizabeth M.

Reporter Discovers She Has OCBD - Obsessive/Compulsive Brief Disorder

Hi, Mark,

I have been reporting for a very long time and write out way, way too much. Although I am very successful and requested very often on jobs, I am exhausted at the end of the day.

Since joining the club just a few weeks ago, I have developed a severe case of OCBD, obsessive/compulsive brief disorder. When people talk to me, I'm beginning to hear in briefs. I see words in magazines and books, I'm beginning to see in briefs. And so on. What I've picked up on the way to work, I quickly stroke before the job has begun and global them into my dictionary.

In a short time, with intensive practice, I have come a long way. I love this disease and I do not want to be cured. Can't begin to thank you for what you have done for me in this profession...

I know a lot of freelance reporters don't like to practice literary takes and just do Q&A, but I have found the literary and the Q&A combo takes that you do daily to be such a blessing. I do a lot of expert witness testimony and their answers can go on for two pages sometimes without a question. Since doing the literary and the Q&A every day, my concentration has improved tremendously and their long-winded answers are not as challenging as they were just a couple of months ago. That has translated into a calmer and more confident me!

You have made a difference in my career, which I truly love, and like you, hope to never have to "retire" from.

Jean Wilm, Registered Professional Reporter, Certified Manager of Reporting Services

CR School Graduate Loves MS Club and Gains Skill and Confidence

Mark,

I just wanted to take the time to thank you for the dedication and service you are providing to the court reporting field. I attended the ILCRA convention in September and thought you did a wonderful job.

After graduating from school I was no longer able to use the free dictation sites that the school provided for us. I had been working from my aunt's old audio cassettes and some material I had purchased from NCRA. The material was helpful, but, after taking and not passing the CSR two times in a row, I knew I had to make a change in my practicing habits. That's when I decided to try out your website.

I believe that even in the past three weeks that I have been using your website I have become a better reporter. After practicing at high speeds, moving down to a 225 seems much easier. I also cannot thank you enough for the encouragement and inspiration you provide. I have definitely needed that after my attempts at the CSR...

Thank you again for providing me with such a wonderful site to practice. I truly have confidence that utilizing your methods will provide me with the skills and knowledge I need to pass the CSR in April.

Sincerely,

Lisa Hafliger

Student Tries Out, and Loves, Magnum Steno Club and Mark's Online Academy

Good morning, Mark,

...As you know, I took advantage of the one week free trial of the Magnum Steno Club, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I went through 38 instructional videos in three days, not to mention the Briefs 001, 002 etc. I could not get enough! The video "Seabiscuit" jerked me around a little. I cried through the whole thing, I think. But, I get the moral of the story in relation to court reporting: a trainer, a owner, a jockey, and a heart of a champion. I understand it.

Also, I contacted your school secretary and asked several questions, in return she gave me a trial access to the school site [www.mkcourtrepoting.com]. I have been soaking it up like a sponge. I absolutely cannot get enough fast enough! I did three theory 1 first-hour classes in one day, (and more since then) took notes, d-defined, and practiced. Since I do have some background already, I can move through it pretty fast, I get it, and it sticks. I love that you teach the phrases right off the bat to the beginning theory students, then they learn to listen for those as one words right from the beginning...

I have enjoyed all of the classes that I have accessed in your school. It is my desire to be a student of Mark Kislingbury. I am currently working on a strategy to accomplish this goal...

Thank you for your time. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Lisa Shepherd

Student Switches to Mark's School and Theory and Loves It

Mark,

Thank you for making Steno fun!

I have learned so much already from the MSC videos and the Magnum Steno book, not to mention all your great stories (I'm still laughing about Deposition Chess)... After some soul searching, I decided to divorce [well-known stroke-intensive theory] (for the most part), and I have switched from [well-known CAT software] to digitalCat. And I'm having fun working to improve my writing. I have [your] Words Generator too. (I was so overwhelmed at first, almost everything was a brief I didn't know, but not anymore.)

You may remember, I withdrew from [an Eastern court reporting school] at the end of September; I was writing about 140 then. Don't know where I am now because I'm in total immersion, but will began testing myself again soon. Incidentally, my friend from [that school], Angela H., is now a MSC member. She said this quarter, [the Eastern CR school] has switched from teaching Phoenix to Sten-Ed. It's not [Magnum Steno], but I suppose it's an improvement...

I love seeing your steno notes [in your Club videos] - whether contest notes or live - and I realized that in two years of attending [that CR school] (online and in house) I have only ever seen anyone else's writing when I took online classes. In house, it was sort of taboo to look at anyone else's notes, and teachers NEVER wrote for students. What a shame! I have learned so much about your theory from seeing your notes. I now believe that I can write fast - I never did before. The logic of finding a way to use available keys or to think in terms of shape - well, those concepts weren't even on the radar at [my former school]. I love the way you teach and the logic behind it. Thank you for sharing your passion.

Most sincerely,

Leslie C.

Student Credits Magnum Steno Club with Helping Her Graduate from School

Hi, Mark:

I just passed my final speed test as a court reporting student.

I just want to thank you for you amazing wisdom and honesty in your videos! I could not have made such amazing progress without the Magnum Steno Club. I truly believe that you are saving this profession, and I am so grateful for that. God bless you and your family, and have a wonderful Christmas.

Jessica Croxford

Reporter Credits Magnum Steno Club with Helping Her Master Difficult Medical Meeting

Hi, Mark:

Every 3 months for the last 2 years, I've been reporting a very large meeting of doctors here in the Chicago area. The first time I did it, it was nearly impossible to report, but I kept at it simply because it was so hard that I didn't want to subject the other reporters in my office to it. It took me a month to complete the transcript, which is usually close to 400 pages.

But this meeting has been the best indicator of my progress in changing my writing with the MSC [Magnum Steno Club]. Not only have I been shortening my writing, but I've been learning to create more briefs on the fly, something I've struggled with.

I can definitely say this last meeting was still very hard, but now I get most of it perfectly and it's almost enjoyable. One guy was so fast that my strokes per second on the Lightspeed went up to 8.1 (!!), which was a record for me.

Shortening the large 3-syllable words has been the key, and this job really highlights that because it is almost like a 10-hour literary. Not only is it easier to take down, but the transcript is even enjoyable to work on now and I can finish it much faster, which means more $$ for me in less hours. I am pretty sure with my old way of writing that I would have eventually given up reporting this meeting because it was just too hard, thus cutting off a stream of income that is a sure thing every 3 months. Now I don't have to do that.

Thank you again!!!

Lisa H. Breiter, CSR, RPR, CRR

Official Loves Club on Free Trial and Will Use It to Train for RMR

Hi, Mark!

I wanted to share with you that I used your free trial, and appreciate your providing it! Thank you for creating the site. Your videos are extremely helpful.

I have freelanced in this industry for 15 years. I have recently become an official.

Somehow, you know you are not alone, but sometimes you feel you are when you just can't put your finger on what you need to improve.

You had me pegged! I am a perfect/drop reporter.

Thank you for being well versed in explaining yourself and your videos. I will be purchasing and practicing the drills on your site in hopes of passing the RMR.

Thank you for caring so much about the industry!

Elizabeth

Student Surprised to Find Wealth of Information and Optimism in Magnum Steno Club

Hi Mark,

I know you enjoy receiving feedback from your members, so I thought I would take a minute to let you know how absolutely lost I would have been these last three months without the Magnum Steno Club.

As you might remember, I switched schools and had to wait three months to start at my new school. When I found your club, I thought it would just be a good place to go for practice dictation. Little did I know that I would learn more in those three months than I had learned in years prior at my last two schools. Not only that, but the continuous supply of support, motivation, and encouragement have been exactly what I needed! You are always so positive and happy, and that helps me stay that way, as I'm sure it does for all your members.

I am looking forward to starting school again next week, and this will be my LAST school; however, I plan to continue to be a member of your club now, while I'm in school, and after I graduate.

Thanks again, Mark, for everything.

Lisa Brinton

Magnum Steno Reporter Passes Realtime Certs and Qualifies in Speed Contest

Mark,

I met you briefly at award luncheon on Saturday (Aug 11, 12). Just wanted to let you know, and to follow up, that I had used your Magnum Steno. It's been over a year now since. But with your help, I was able to pass the CRR, I passed the CRCR (Jersey) with no errors and only person to pass at that particular testing.

Most recently, I just qualified at the National Speed Competition on two out of the three legs. The third, I missed by ONE error!! (I checked my paper after awards.) Just thought it's nice to get positive feedback. While I don't use your theory, in particular, I found your briefs most helpful and I totally get the concept of the shorter and less strokes and incorporate that into my daily writing. Feel free to use this email however you think it may benefit you and others!

Thank you and hope you keep up your good work!

Maureen McCarthy, RPR, RMR, CRCR (Jersey), CRR Official Court Reporter (Philadelphia)

Reporter Sees "Huge Improvement" Magnum Steno Club for RPR Success

I just wanted to let you know that after being in the Magnum Steno Club since, I think, December, I am seeing a huge improvement in my writing. I went to a terrible court reporting school and after I graduated, I was struggling on jobs to keep up and my notes were a mess. I thought I would give the Magnum Steno Club a try, because I knew I had to do something if I was going to stay in this profession. My notes are getting much better and I am spending much less time on my transcripts. Thank you so much! I still have a long way to go, but I am so happy with my progress.

Jeanne Meldrim

Reporter Credits Magnum Steno Club for RPR Success

Hi Mark,

I just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know I passed the RPR in May. Yay! I received the final confirmation last week in the mail and saw my name listed on the NCRA website. What a great feeling! I could not have done this without the Magnum Steno Club and your amazing advice and motivation. Thank you so much for all that you do.

Best,

Kim Harrison

Student Discovers Magnum Steno Club and Sees Immediate Results

Dear Mark,

On Saturday, I watched the instructional videos down to "Mark's Brain is Different." I also tried out one of the high-speed dictations from the archive just to see what they are like. Blew me away pretty much. But I took to heart dropping my filters, staying on top of the dictator and getting something for everything. Sunday I practiced for about 1-1/2 hours at no lower than 160, usually closer to 180, but in about 15-minute increments. Then Monday, I also practiced for about an hour, but again, no longer than 15-20 minutes at a time. I also went through the first 2 brief videos and just browsed through the site.

Well, last night's class was very different that all the other classes. My teacher made a comment about how seamless and quick my read-back was. He wondered why I am still in his class, me too! Well, we test every night. I test for 5 minutes at 140 WPM. I felt I stayed with the speaker but just was not sure how I did. I don't know if I passed yet, we grade them the next night. BUT, I always do a word count. So, at 140, I needed 700 words. If I don't have at least 680 words, I usually don't scour through the document and turn it in for 'credit only.' WELL, when I did the word count, I had exactly 700 words!!!! I am not sure if they are the correct 700 words, but I am so happy that I stayed with the dictator and got something for everything spoken!

Hope I'm not being a pest, but I am so happy and excited. After just 3 days with Magnum Steno, I am amazed at the advances I have made already. I will sign up and make the commitment to sign on every day and be a permanent member of Magnum Steno on Friday. Please feel free to share this. Bless you! Also, thank you for sharing your gifts with other court reporters. I know I greatly appreciate this blessing already!

Cynthia F.

160s Student Learns from Mark's Seminar and Magnum Steno Club and Graduates Little Over Year Later

Hi, Mark,

I've been wanting to write this for some time, just got busy with graduation and beginning my new career as a CART provider. So here goes!

I went to a seminar where Mark was speaking when I was a student just at 160. I was very impressed with Mark and wondered why the schools did not incorporate this "writing short" concept, because it is amazing! I started with listening to his instructional videos and incorporating the word endings (ed, ing, es, s, etc) into my writing.

When I had mastered that, I started the Briefs 101 videos. They are wonderful! Then I would incorporate more concepts as I went along.

Needless to say, a little over a year later I passed that final 225 and graduated school. I truly believe I could not have done that without this concept of writing short.

To this day, I am still incorporating more of Mark's theory and concepts into my writing, and I use his book every week. Mark is very helpful and encouraging. He wants everyone to do well and to be better writers. Mark honestly has a gift, and he wants to share it with no ulterior motives. Mark and his website are truly a godsend, and I encourage anyone wanting to improve their writing to give Magnum Steno Club a try.

If you are a beginning student, I urge you to contact Mark about his school. Learning Mark's concept of writing short and at high speeds definitely helped me graduate sooner and is continuing to make me a better writer.

Thank you so much, Mark, and keep up the good work!

Sincerely,

Ginger B.

Club Member Passes RMR With Flying Colors

Last year I wrote a testimonial for Mark after re-attaining my RPR and then passing the CRR, thanks to the Magnum Steno Club. Now I have more to be thankful for - I passed all three legs of the May 2012 RMR exam (because of NCRA longevity rules, I won't officially be an RMR until January of 2013).

I've been thinking about how to define precisely how the Magnum Steno Club has benefited me. The daily speed dictations are of course a large part of it. So are the briefing videos and the briefing advice given on the dictation videos, which combined with the Magnum Steno Book have allowed me to systematically shorten my writing. Additionally, Mark was kind enough to send me his dictionary file. I merged it with my personal dictionary, so that when I'm on the job, CaseCATalyst's Brief-It feature will prompt me with Mark's briefs when I write a word in more than one stroke.

But I think the biggest benefit for me has been Mark's emphasis on daily speed practice for working reporters, and on the importance of writing short. These two concepts were wholly foreign to me for much of my reporting career. I thought that once I started working and had passed the RPR, I would never need to do speed practice again. And it never occurred to me to learn a lot of briefs; it always seemed unnecessary to learn a brief just to save one or two strokes on a specific word. Of course I was missing the macro perspective - by learning briefs for thousands of common words, you will write significantly fewer strokes throughout the day, with all the advantages that brings (avoiding physical wear-and-tear, making it easier to keep up, less time spent editing, etc.).

Mark is truly a pioneer and a visionary in the field of court reporting education. While I'm delighted with the progress I've made and the tests I've passed, it's also frustrating to imagine how much easier reporting would have been for me if I had learned his methods from the beginning rather than more than two decades after starting work as a reporter. I envy those students who have an opportunity to learn it the right way from the beginning.

If you're a student or are considering becoming a student, the best thing you can do for yourself is to study with Mark or with a program that utilizes Mark's methods. It will put you light years ahead of students who learn from other methods.

If you're a working reporter, the best thing you can do for yourself is to join the Magnum Steno Club, do the daily dictations, and put in the effort to shorten your writing. It does take a certain amount of time and effort (a manageable amount, though). In return, your skill level, ability to attain certifications, and your experience on the job will improve dramatically.

Lee Bursten, CRR, RMR (as of 1/1/13)

[Note from Mark: Lee's scores were fantastic: Lit: 99.900% (one error); JC: 99.667% (4 errors); QA: 98.000% (26 errors)]

Reporter Follows Mark's Briefing, Practicing, Stay-on-Speaker Advice and Notices Huge Improvement

Mark,

First off, I just want to thank you for encouraging us to practice again. I have been reporting for 20 years now and I would never practice. I stroked out a lot of words that I used to brief. I don't even know why I started doing that, but I did. I was laid off from my freelance job last April, and I was hired into the Common Pleas Court as an official.

On top of adjusting to a full-time fixed schedule, the judge that I work for speaks faster than anyone I have EVER reported in my career, adding onto that that we are in a beautiful 1800s courtroom with horrible acoustics, and needless to say I was hopeless in my job. I was dropping, absolutely could not keep up and just felt like I was dying every day I came to work. However, I had been praying so hard about what I was to do. I was thankful for a job, felt like this is where God wanted me to be, but struggled horribly every day I was at work.

When I went to the Ohio Court Reporters Association spring seminar, I was so glad that you were speaking. I have been practicing and using your tips. I forgot how to fight for every stroke, to stay on top of the speaker, to learn new briefs and to practice. After a week of incorporating these things into my life, WOW, what a difference! Briefs are coming back to me that I used years ago, things are getting so much better!

I thank God for you and that you were at that seminar and reminded us to work on our skill. Now I feel like not only can I survive here, but I can thrive in my job and be an excellent reporter.

Once again, thank you so much, and may God richly bless you:)

Carolyn D. Ross, RPR

RMR/CRR Reporter Sees Improvement on the Job with Club

Hi, Mark,

I just want to tell you how much I'm enjoying the Magnum Steno Club and having fresh speed building dictation every day. I have my RMR and CRR, but I can tell that I'm getting better and faster and sharper with my writing doing just like you say, working on more briefs and phrasing than what I was already using and just the high-speed dictation.

Yesterday is when I could see how I have improved. In court, I had a very fast doctor on the stand with multisyllabic medical terms, most of which I did not have a brief for. So because I was phrasing other things, I had time to come up with one-stroke briefs for many of these terms and get something down for everything without hesitation. When the doctor asked me if he was going too fast, I was able to say no (even though I was barely hanging on and would have LOVED for him to slow down).

But also, I've been meaning to write to tell you how I love your demeanor and how encouraging you are on your dictations and the extra trivia-type information you give. it's a really good and positive way to start the day, not to mention you remind me a lot of my brother!

Janet Taylor

Reporter Improves Speed, Accuracy, and Determination in Club

Mark,

I just want to quickly thank you for your wonderful recordings. I don't hear you speak of them often on your daily recordings, but I love to go back and listen to your "Mark Speed Method" ones. It's a good refresher of not only what your method is, but a good refresher of the "why" of your method and other great points. I also listen to the sections of Test Week over and over again regardless of how close I am to testing. And, yes, I listen to the other ones too.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mark. I cannot adequately express how much your words of wisdom mingled with your many words of encouragement and faith in God have helped me improve my speed, accuracy, and determination.

Mary G.

200s Student Discovers Magnum Steno, Shortens Writing, Passes Qualifiers, Straight to CART Realtime

Mark,

I thought I would also share my experience with everyone as well since I am yet another testimony to your shorthand concept that really turned my writing around; in turn, making that graduation date come much faster than it would have otherwise.

I did not have knowledge of Magnum Steno until I was in my 200s. It was at that time that I joined the Magnum Steno club and started adopting a shorter way of writing. After dictionary building for 4.5 years at that point, you could say it was a bit of a temporary setback. I not only started practicing this shorter way of writing, but then changed and added and edited my dictionary to coincide with my new briefs and phrases.

Another thing I started doing, and it was a VERY short time before I started to see a Significant improvement, was writing REALTIME. After about three months, I was back in the game but this time with a new lease on my work product. I would say another two or three months after this I passed my first qualifier. I passed six more, nearly all back-to-back following my first pass.

Getting my dictionary up-to-par combined with shortening my writing and watching my screen as it was tranning then gave me the confidence it took to become a captioner at a junior college (for hearing-impaired students) for the last 8 months of my schooling. Everything was tranning beautifully and I was Oh, so proud of my work and committment. The short setback was worth its weight in Gold and I can't tell you how proud I was of myself for making that leap and stepping outside of my comfort zone.

I regret I hadn't heard about you sooner. You could have saved me thousands in student loans because that way of writing would have saved me at least ... LEAST 2-3 years in school. Thanks to your help and encouragement and MOST of all, your "theory" of writing shorter, I am another success story.

It paid off, and it paid off BIG TIME.

Thank you, Mark, for all of your efforts and time and energy you put into shedding light on how to most effectively reach our goals.

I look forward to speaking with you again soon.

Tiffany Billingsly, CRI

Golden State College of Court Reporting & Captioning

Student Passes Final Test, Qualifies for CSR, Credits Magnum Steno Club

Mark,

Just wanted to let you know that I passed my final test at school yesterday and will be sitting for the CSR in June. I do believe that your advice and my focusing on MS phrasing every day last week on our quarter break was the driving force that pushed me over the top.

Fortunately I'll have about four months to really hammer down those phrasing concepts so that they are automatic for me at 200 and higher. Thanks again. See you in Monterey.

Mikey McMorran

Burned-Out Reporter Now Loves Reporting and CART After Mark's Training

Mark,

First I would like to share with you that since I've adopted your theory - and that wasn't easy to change after eight years as a freelance reporter with the longest EVER theory - I fell in love with my work as a court reporter. I did pass the RPR after your boot camp and am now doing realtime whenever possible.

I also did a few CART jobs for a hard-of-hearing DA in USDC here in Brooklyn where I live. Donna Clark, who I met in Texas at boot camp, has a captioning company and has contacted me to cover this job at USDC. And guess what? I LOVE IT. I LOVE CART. To me it's like no homework by not scoping.

So.... now that I am turning 51 years old, I am thinking ahead when I'll get older. I don't see myself wanting to run all over Manhattan to cover jobs - it's tiring for me even now - so I'm gearing up to be able to work as a Broadcast Captioner or CART provider and/or anything remote writing. I would love to retire somewhere rural; I love the mountains, so I am dreaming of being able to work remote from wherever I choose to eventually move to.

I do practice speed, and I feel quite ready to take the RMR in May. I should be able to pass some, too. I also try to do every day about 15 minutes of CNN news...

You are my idol. Really without your theory of short writing I would have probably always thought of my job as just a job to pay the bills and not have loved my job as I do now and taken such pride in it. I mostly felt very isolated, lost and alone struggling to be a better writer but had no idea how to go about it.

Your direction of mastering steno writing has given me a path that I keep seeing results. My work on the realtime screen is clean and perfect. At this point I am trying to master your theory for numbers. The way I was taught in school was to not ever use the number keys but to always write out all the numbers. Can you imagine? Gosh. That school should be closed down.

Goldy Gold, RPR

Another Student Club Member Passes RPR

Hi Mark,

I just nervously opened my mail today from the NCRA and I PASSED all three tests!! I am so excited and relieved. I really have to thank you because you were a very big part of my passing.

I was so down on myself a month before the test, and I wasn't passing any of my school's tests, which made me feel worse. I went on an internship around that time with a working court reporter and I was telling her my troubles. She mentioned that a friend of hers was a member of the Magnum Steno Club and maybe I should give it a try.

Well, about a week later I Googled your name, and up came your website, and I did the free trial week. Well, I've been hooked ever since.

I actually enjoyed practicing again. The icing on the cake was your boot camp in November, where I know for sure my speed went up. That was great, but the thing you did for me was boost my confidence. After boot camp I went into that test and nailed it. I can't thank you enough!!!

I am proudly a member of your club, and I look forward to it every day. The only thing I need to do now is pass the written exam in January, and I will be "Maureen Revie, RPR."

You are greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Maureen Revie

Club Member Passes RPR

Dear Mark,

With the help of the Magnum Steno Club I've passed the RPR!!

I really feel as though practicing with you every day has helped me immensely. I have learned many new writing concepts that have helped me shorten my writing. Having written a stroke-intensive theory for many years, it was very difficult to break that habit. I still have a lot more work to do, but I know that I can do it.

The high speed practice has been so beneficial for me. It not only gives you the finger speed needed, but it also trains you to hear and process the information faster. In the beginning I could barely hear and process the dictation. It's truly amazing how far I've come.

Also, thank you for your words of encouragement. I'm ready to start working on another certification.

Rosita DeCarlo, RPR

Write-It-Out Mother Finally Emulates Short-Writing Daughter's Success. Sees Progress After Joining MSC

Mark,

As you know, my daughter Candice started CR school right when I attained my CSR in 2005. I had heard about your theory but, unfortunately, never really checked into it; so I sent Candice to a school that taught a very stroke-intensive theory. Luckily, she met a friend in school who had learned your theory [Clay Frazier], and she witnessed how fast he progressed; so she started incorporating your theory.

After seeing her progress at an alarming rate, I asked her how she was doing it. I'll admit, when she told me about your theory, the concepts, the memorization, I didn't want to even hear it because my brain was so used to writing by sound and being able to read my steno notes phonetically. I knew -- or I should say "I thought" -- my brain wouldn't be able to memorize all those concepts and briefs. [Ed. note: Both Candice and Clay breezed through school and scored high 99 percents on the California CSR while striving to write short.]

Time went on, and as I was in my first years of reporting, I witnessed Candice fly through speed tests, pass the qualifier within the first week of being in qualifiers, pass the CSR on the first try with 6 errors, and then shortly thereafter pass the RPR. Her notes were beautiful, hardly any untrans and of course she got every word. She wasn't afraid to take doctors, experts etc. during her first year.

Her excellence made me feel like I shouldn't even be reporting. I had untrans everywhere and each job was a struggle and workout. Candice finally encouraged me to just try your concepts. I looked at her StenoMaster book and became very overwhelmed and gave it back to her.

Time still went on, haha, and I was seriously feeling like a CR failure. Candice, again, told me just to try your theory by incorporating endings into the first stroke, i.e., tucking the -R for -er and the -G for -ing. That came pretty easy, so I continued to learn more of your concepts. After about six months, when I wrote a stroke, if I had an extra finger I used it on the first stroke no matter where it was. My brain was finally starting to think the way your theory works.

Candice encouraged me to join the MS club, which I did back in March. Every day, along with the daily video, I would do an instructional video, as well as the Briefs videos. After a few weeks of your daily encouraging words and noticing how the high speed practice was helping me on the job, I thought I might just have a chance at passing the RPR, something I had in the same category with going to the moon. I had taken it over four times in the past, and they always had stopped grading. I had given up on trying to pass it.

I took the August RPR, and I was thrilled when I only missed the Lit by 12. I was really amazed at how calm I felt, how slow it sounded, and how your MS Club really did work. Your club has given me confidence again, and I continue daily to shorten my writing. I really have no idea how I ever passed the CSR writing everything out the way I did. The MS Club is something I look forward to every day, and it's actually really fun. I love going to my jobs now to see how much progress I've made.

I am so thankful for you and all the time you spend giving to us CRs, sharing your knowledge, passion, and love of court reporting so we can be the best. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Wendy Andino

Student Passes Three Speed Tests After Joining Club

Mark,

I just wanted to tell you that I have been a member of Magnum Steno for only a few months and I have passed 3 speed tests! I passed a 170 Lit, a 170 2 voice, and now today a 180 2 voice. It was taking me months to pass ONE test before I joined. I just wanted to say thanks and you're a GENIUS!!!

Lifetime member,

Heather Moore

Reporter Raves About Boot Camp and New Love and Excitement for Reporting

Hi Mark,

Wow! That's how I feel right now! I just finished the boot camp last week and couldn't believe how hard I worked. It was so much more than I expected. My arms were sore the first few days, but by the end of the week, no soreness! I couldn't wait until Monday so I could take a depo and use some of this awesome training! But of course, my job cancelled as I was pulling out of my driveway. :(

I came home and practiced some more briefs!!! I can't get enough. I called my colleague at work and couldn't stop gushing about all the great briefs I had learned in boot camp. I was sharing with her the "try to" family of briefs and just wouldn't shut up when she finally said, "Debby, I have to go!" Oops! I just can't help myself. I feel like they need to know this too!

Finally, I got a job on Tuesday morning. A simple car accident, but that's okay, I'll try all my small word phrases that I have a hard time incorporating into my high-speed practice. It was AMAZING!!!! I felt like I was in a dream. How could my writing be so much better? I was smiling and wanted to tell the attorney, "Hey, hey, look! I just briefed 'trying to' in one stroke! I just learned that last week."

Don't worry, I refrained. I just kept writing and concentrating on briefing. I really can't believe how much more I loved working today.

Thank you so much for renewing my excitement for court reporting after 18 years of doing this! I am going to pass the next test in May! I want my RMR and my CRR! Thank you for sharing your gift of shortening your writing. It has been a true blessing in my life! And it's contagious.....my colleague said, "Oh, you make me want to go home and practice." It's so much fun!

Thank you so very much!

Debby Bonds, RPR and OR-CSR, and soon-to-be CRR and RMR!

Reporter Shortens Writing and Gains New Love for Court Reporting

I just have to drop a note about my dictionary. I started Magnum Steno April of this year. My dictionary has gone from 180,000 down to 130,000 words, not exaggerating. It's from deleting all the multi-stroke misstroke entries and replacing them with the writing short theory.

[Mark responded: Wow! Didn't you want to keep them just in case when it gets fast you might sometimes revert to writing out?]

[She responded:] Scary, right? I'm now a one-stroke addict and can't be stopped. Sometimes I would have like 50 to 70 misstrokes for one word! I can't believe I was writing like that. I only delete the ones that I know I have in memory. If I do write out a word on accident, it just comes out as an untranslate, which makes it stick that much more in my soggy brain.

Thank you, Mark. I have a newfound love for court reporting.

Tillie

Student Advances in Speed, Loves Magnum Steno Club and Mark's Online School

Mark,

I would just like you to know that I have just moved up to the 200 class. Final class in my school, we need 11 tests to be done: 4 at 180, 4 at 200 and 3 at 225. I would like to thank you!!!

I love my online class, although I mostly have to watch the videos, and my Magnum Steno Club, I would not be there without you.

I love, love, love writing short, and I sit with people who are going on their third semester in that class. Why? Because they write everything out. I would imagine it is going to take them quite a while. I am going to start interning soon. I can't wait.

Thanks again!! See you in class.

Susan

Student Credits Magnum Steno Club for Graduating from School

Hi Mark,

I've been a member of the Magnum Steno Club for probably a year now.

I'm writing to you to thank you for your words of encouragement to the members of the club. Your advice has helped me push through school, too. I graduated today! Passed the last test needed.

I'm not sure how I would have gotten through school without watching your videos!

Take care,

Christina E.

BBC Captioner Becomes Brief Convert with Magnum Steno Book and Club Videos

Hi, Mark,

I really am enjoying your videos and book. And I now agree - "it's best not to have too many short forms in captioning" is a myth! I used to be so precious about not having too many ghastly short forms in my pristine captioning dictionary. I trained at the BBC, and I'll always be grateful for being trained in fingerspelling, punctuating on the fly - opening and closing quotes, hyphenating etc - and being very sophisticated with prefixes and suffixes. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world to have such a clean dictionary. But how ridiculous that I would write "temporary" in three strokes!

I was overwhelmed when I first got your book. It was simply daunting. So I started off with something that just made sense. And the "squeezing the R" was where I started - longer, stranger, bigger. Just crazy that I wasn't doing it already! Then I went to longest, strangest, biggest etc. I really like the FAORD for afford and SAORT for assort. I can't believe how little of the steno keyboard's potential I use. Crazy! And exhausting!

The videos are so positive, and have truly helped with my speed. I think speed development for me has been about being comfortable with being uncomfortable when writing - being comfortable with not being so in control of writing. No pain and discomfort, not gain. I've just enjoyed it so much, and thanks for sharing your passion for writing.

Alannah

Experienced Reporter Finding Club Gives Speed, Endurance, Confidence, Relaxation, and Joy

Hi, Mark

I just wanted to let you know how well your Magnum Steno Club works for me. I have been a reporter for 31 years now, and for the last 6 years, I have been an official reporter. After practicing with you almost every day and practicing my briefs every day, even on vacation, I can now write all day in court and am not tired...at all!

Last Monday, we had a jury trial. We picked a jury, had opening arguments and then testimony until 5:00. I wrote 300 pages for that day. And both attorneys spoke really fast. The defense attorney spoke so fast, I couldn't understand him sometimes, but still I wrote "something." No matter how fast, I kept my hands calm and rhythmic. I tried as best I could to use my bazillion phrases and briefs that I had picked up over the last year or so. I walked out of that court feeling like I could write for another 7 hours. It was an amazing feeling, one I had never felt before.

So, thank you for all your work in helping us all have a better life as a reporter. Reporting is still tough sometimes, but I feel so much more competent and relaxed. Reporting has always been fun, but now it is pure joy.

Thank you!

Cecilia Vohl

Student Has Positive Attitude and is on Right Track

Mark,

I have every bit of confidence it takes to pass. As long as I have God, you, your club, your suggestions, me and my positive attitude and my determination to follow your suggestions. I believe I was put here in this situation for a reason and so far I have benefited more from your club in 2 months than I have in 4 yrs at that school. So yes, I agree with you, I do have all the tools I need...

I also wanted to mention, Mark, this school never once looked at why I was not passing my Qualifier. It took a friend of mine to suggest I look to your site for help. As it turned out, when you mentioned "write short" I knew writing the word "nervous" in three strokes was my trouble. Amazingly I was [still] able to keep up [anyway]. You can imagine how many other words and phrases I don't do. I don't need to go any further. I've just begun writing short now. About 3 months' worth.

Like you have said, you enjoy writing more when you use briefs. I feel the same way. Nor do I feel hand and wrist pain anymore.

I really appreciate your offering to figure out why I am not passing the RPR...

Thank you so much. Once again I shall go back over every inch of your site to take on your advice to where it's all second nature to me. (Now that I have the briefing down, it's really my mental mindsets that keep me from being at my best)

Thank you, Coach Mark.

Christen Potts

Reporter Inspired by "Mark's Brain is Different" Video in Club

Mr. Kislingbury,

Thank you for your video "Mark's brain is different"!

This video made a huge impact on me this morning. I think that although I believed from day one your methods and approach to success in steno writing are superior, I have always believed you, Mark Kislingbury, speed champion, are just different, innately different than I, and that you have some advantage I can never really have.

I know well from previous life experience that hard work and perseverance pays off and that natural talent alone doesn't always lead to success. I've always been an extremely hard worker in everything I do, but something about mastering steno machine writing has left me feeling inadequate and frustrated. I know hard work is the only thing that helped me graduate court reporting school two and a half years ago, but I think I have always secretly believed I could never really master the machine since I'm not a "naturally talented" writer like other reporters I know.

You really spoke to me through this video. Thank you for being so direct and speaking with such clarity. You explained that focused, daily, high-speed practice and focused, daily study of brief forms are the real keys to your success in machine writing. To hear you say this was like receiving a gift! Hearing and understanding this helps me believe in myself, the hard worker, again, and realize those same practices will also be the keys to success in my work to become a better writer and pass the RPR. So my next set of goals are actually achievable for me, not just for the speedy-fingered "phenoms" and "natural writers." What a relief and much-needed inspiration!

Thank you for all you do to inspire, motivate, and teach me.

Allison Gossett

Experienced Official Reporter Loves Boot Camp and Feels She Improved Greatly

Dear Mark:

I want to let you know once again how much I thoroughly enjoyed the boot camp experience. I feel as though I have improved as a court reporting professional a hundred times over.

At the end of class yesterday you asked me about the difference between the Magnum Steno Club and the boot camp. My initial response was that you reinforced for us the same tools in boot camp as you did MSC. However, I want to elaborate on that. The boot camp experience is obviously much more intense. One result of that is that I have come away from these past few days with those thoughts replaying in my head stronger than ever: Stay on the speaker, get a stroke for everything, give 100 percent, just to name a few. So, though you do say those things in our daily practice with MSC, I think I can finally integrate those tools into my everyday thinking and utilize them to empower me to be the best reporter that I can be. I can sense a difference in my thinking already. As I was making breakfast this morning, Mark-isms were running through my brain. Oh, no! You've invaded!

An added bonus that I could not possibly anticipate was the amazing energy and camaraderie of the entire group. I spoke with many of the participants and thoroughly enjoyed each of them. I loved how unique every one of them are. I loved their stories of how they became court reporters as well as the students who are striving to become the best they can be. Most of all I am feeling truly blessed to be with reporters who all want to be excellent.

The biggest take-away for you, Mark, is that you are the one who has created and is constantly improving upon the most efficient and effective teaching methods for our profession. In addition, all of us come together to be with you to benefit from your teaching and our learning from one another. What could be better than that?

Have a wonderful weekend. Did I tell you I've scheduled a sub for the next boot camp?

God bless you and your family and your school and your students and Gromit and...

Carrie Logan

Student Working on 200wpm Digs Many Gold Nuggets out of Club

Mark,

Wonderful. Your instructional videos entitled Test Day 1-5 are fantastic. I really think you're right, I'd benefit from visualizing passing my test. And thanking God is going to be helpful too.

In #4 you talked about "when I write I feel His pleasure." I 100% agree with that. Such good solid points you have. I took the time to make notes in Word of all your helpful instructional videos. You're one of those guys where everything you say is important. And there's a lot of info in there, and I just want to learn from it all!

I have to tell you about my test today. My test went awesome. I'm so pleased with my progress. And I give you all the credit because I did everything you have told me to do and applied it to today's test and I can honestly say I could not have done a better job today.

For one thing, for the first time I did not have a bad middle part of the test. At the end of the 12 minutes, I was ready for more, in fact!

I've been learning about 10 new briefs a week diligently, and quite a few of them came up in my test today. "Shoulder" I'm learning this week, and it came up in the test, and I didn't hesitate, I didn't freak out, I wrote it with confidence, cleanly and accurately. That's such a great feeling. Also, when I made a mistake, I considered it "water under the bridge" and moved on. That really helped that you have mentioned that. "Champions overcome this." Your advice is just incredible, yet simple.

Also, I've heard you talk about be ready for the test to speed up at any time. I applied that, and it helped significantly. I applied your many other techniques too, but I specifically remember those helping tremendously.

So I'd say I see my progress comes from a combination of solid concentration, motivation, applying your techniques, and God working in and for me. I'm very pleased that I can honestly say I have multiple victories to celebrate tonight.

...I did not hesitate on any words because I just did what you said and kept going, not messing up that rhythm I had, and you're right, the words become readable in context :)

Thank you, Mark, for making such perfect sense with your techniques. You've made me a happier person not just in my writing, but in all areas of my life because I'm more confident that I can do this hard stuff! These methods can be easily used in other areas of our lives, not just with court reporting. So that I'm appreciative of, too.

Oh, one last thing. I'm a big hockey fan. I just love hearing you talk about Wayne Gretzky in your Olympic instructional video. I can't tell you enough how enjoyable and helpful that topic of discussion was for me. I think it really made things click for me hearing you talk about athletes are similar to what we are doing with court reporting...

God bless,

Adalyn Thompson

Reporter Successfully Stops For A Year and Learns Mark's Theory!

Mark,

First off, I want to tell you that I was an official reporter and just was using a theory that was too stroke intensive so I decided to step down, stopped reporting, purchased everything from StenoMaster, and on my own I completely switched my theory. I was off work for one year doing that. It was the best thing I've ever done.

I am going for my realtime test so I looked you up again and found Magnum Steno. I LOVE it! It is absolutely wonderful because I write exactly like you so any new idea you have I just soak it up.

I just watched for the second time the focused practice and the concepts with I, you, he, she, who (that one is a hard finger stroke but I will get it), we, and they on the initial side. You are absolutely BRILLIANT!!!!!! It is awesome. After only listening to it twice, I will immediately be able to implement it in my writing every day with no hesitation. Again, it is BRILLIANT!!!!!!

Thanks,

Janet French

Member Realizes We All Can Learn to Write Shorter

Dear Mark,

I just heard someone in the court reporting world say something to the effect that you have a superior mind, and that's why you can absorb all those briefs. This presumes the rest of us can't. Gosh, I'm doing it, and I don't consider myself to have a superior mind. I just keep at it.

Anyway, there may be reporters who feel this way. That's why I'm telling you this. What I've learned is that your briefs aren't, for the most part, random. I see a real system at work here. And it's the systemic nature of the briefs which makes them possible to absorb easily, I might add, once one gets the hang of it.

See, I've changed my whole way of writing based on your system for writing short. And that's what it is -- a system for writing short, not just briefs.

Best regards, Carole Francis-Swayze

Seasoned Freelancer/Captioner Uses Magnum Steno Club to Pass Exams and Improve Significantly

I have been a realtime deposition reporter and a captioner for 22 years. When I left reporting and became a full-time captioner, I studied the then-conventional wisdom and consequently threw out ALL my phrase briefs and wrote ALL inflected endings on a separate stroke.

I did okay for myself -- my statistics put me certainly within the top 10% of the company's captioners -- but I could have done a lot better if I knew then what I know now. My accuracy was very good but my speed could have been better. I was the perfect example of what Mark calls a "write perfect and drop reporter."

In March of 2009, after nine years of captioning, I went back to full-time reporting, and I found that writing everything out was just not going to cut it. I also decided I wanted to re-attain the RPR that I had lost when I let my NCRA membership lapse. Although I had been working as a reporter/captioner for decades, I felt a bit uneasy about the RPR, because it had also been decades since I had taken a test, and test-taking has its own skill set that requires practice.

That's when I joined the Magnum Steno Club. Since joining the Club, I have shortened my writing about 35% from when I was captioning, although I'm still not what anyone would call a short writer. But my writing on the job is so much better now that it's shorter, it's a real pleasure. Writing hard material is noticeably easier now.

Practicing Mark's daily high-speed dictation definitely helped me to pass the RPR (all three legs). Three months later, I took the CRR and passed it easily. [Editor's note: He made only FOUR errors on the CRR! Truly an amazing feat - MK]

Mark has a great set of videos teaching a graduated sequence of learning briefs for shortening writing. I found them very helpful, and I also purchased the StenoMaster theory book and the Magnum Steno book so that I could strategize my brief-learning more systematically. I consider the money spent on the Club and on these two books to be the best money I ever spent in terms of improving my skills and furthering my career.

Besides being (obviously) a gifted writer, Mark is also a gifted teacher and coach. Members of the Club have access to Mark's many motivational and inspirational videos, but even in his daily dictation videos Mark motivates and inspires Club members to give their best effort. Machine shorthand is a difficult skill to learn and a difficult skill to improve on. It's very heartening to have a teacher/coach who understands the importance of encouraging and motivating students to learn the skill, and inspiring working reporters/captioners to improve that skill.

One thing that surprised me was that while I had expected practice to be a burden, in fact it turned out that I enjoy the practice and look forward to practice time, odd as it may seem. I feel more confident at the job because I've practiced that morning.

It's important to know that while Mark meets the Club member more than halfway with his dictation videos, motivational videos, instructional videos, and personal interaction, the Club member must put forth the necessary effort in order to reap the benefits. Mark is constantly exhorting us to 'give 100%.' After taking the RPR and CRR and experiencing that test-taking adrenaline rush, I realized that while I thought I had been giving 100% during practice, I really wasn't. Now when I practice I try to summon up that test-taking feeling, and it seems to help me do better.

I strongly recommend the Magnum Steno Club and Mark's books to any working reporter or captioner who is serious about improving their skills. If you put in the work, you WILL see the results.

Lee Bursten, RPR, CRR

Student Passes Last 225 Class Using Magnum Steno Club

Mark,

I joined the Magnum Steno Club when I was in my last speed class and struggling to pass the 225's. At that time, I did not have a good speed building regimen. By applying the principles that Mark talks about in the Club, mainly staying on the speaker, not dropping and concentrating 100% to the extent possible, I passed my third 225 wpm test during the summer. I had listened to most of the instructional videos and the ones about concentration and test taking strategies were especially helpful to me.

Of course, the high speed and dense material that Mark dictates was and continues to be tremendously helpful in starting my speed practice sessions. In addition, I have found that the Briefs 001 list is an excellent way to separate daily brief practice from daily speed-building practice. By incorporating these common words and phrases into my writing, I have gained speed and these briefs are invaluable to me as I enter the field of deposition reporting.

I highly recommend the Club to all steno students who are struggling to finish school.

Rochelle

Boot Camp Graduate Sees Great Improvement

Mark:

Since my trip to Texas my writing has improved tremendously. I guess it's cuz I try and do practice three 5 minute takes a day and most of all I'm writing short.

It's unbelievable how after working so hard for so long (for about a year) on writing short it sort of comes to me naturally now and am quite the genius of coming up with short forms on the fly. You really are and is a great inspiration to me.

My writing is so much cleaner these days that I almost feel guilty giving my jobs to my scopist. some days I do scope some of the work myself which I never did before. I also find myself being more conscious of punctuation while writing, and I think it's cuz I am much more on the speaker plus writing short and that leaves me more time to punctuate.

Goldy G.

Reporter Feels She Passed [SHE DID PASS!] Parts of RMR, Motivated by Magnum Steno Club

Mark:

I took the RMR skills yesterday. I do believe I passed the Lit and JC. [Update! She DID pass those two sections! - MK] They were not perfect papers, but I don't think my errors will constitute failure. I thought I did well on the Q&A dictation also. However, I did not have time to transcribe it. My notes were just not clean enough to transcribe it within the time allowed. I had shadows and stacking and needed to refer to my paper notes to transcribe. Nearly 45 minutes had gone by before I even realized it, and I had only made it through about half the transcript. I did the best I could with the rest of my transcription time.

I would have loved to have passed everything on my first attempt, but I am happy with what I accomplished. I'm sure I would not even have attempted it without your guidance and encouragement. I think the finger-to-thumb relaxation trick really works. I used that, I prayed, I tried to stay positive.

Thank you, Mark, for your willingness to share. I hope your boot camp girls did well also. I prayed for them as well.

Darcie Cruz

Student Credits Magnum Steno Club for Passing Mocks to Qualify for CSR

I just wanted to share some great news with you. This past Thursday I passed my last Mock to qualify for the next state exam!!! I joined your club towards the end of June this summer when I was struggling through 225. I have no doubt that joining your club is what got me through my 225's in school!

So now I'm done with school and am continuing to practice to you daily, and hope and pray I pass the CSR in January :)

Thank you so much for all that you do!

Kathy M.

Ready-To-Quit Student Newly Motivated by Mark and Club

I just wanted to email you and let you know how much the Magnum Steno Club is helping me! I spoke with you on the phone approximately 3 weeks ago. I was ready to quit steno all together. I am the SimplySteno student who is at 180 Lit and 190 2V. You assured me that I had not hit a plateau, and you gave me some excellent tips, plus a free two week trial to the Magnum Steno Club! I have to say that I cannot live without it now! I use it as a warm up to my schoolwork. It really gets me excited and in the right frame of mind to do my schoolwork.

I have to say the best tip I have ever received from anyone is your tip of staying on the [speaker]! Wow, what an improvement.

For the first time since I started learning steno do I not only feel like I can do this, I KNOW that I can do this...

Thank you again for helping me. Even my mom has noticed the difference in my outlook. It is so kind of you to take the time out of what I'm sure is a busy day to help others!

Sincerely, Jessica Mondello

Magnum Steno Student Passes CSR

Mark,

Your MSC [Magnum Steno Club] helped me to pass my CSR in February 2010. I started working within a week and a half of getting my license # in April, and I have been trying to practice every day, though I had gone through two new laptops on three weeks, so I slacked quite a bit there.

I believe it has improved my writing and has given me the confidence to do the depo & court work that's thrown at me. Thank you!!

I believe that spending 15-20 minutes on MSC saves me at least twice the amount of time in editing alone.

CJC

Captioner Sees Improvement in Accuracy

Hi!

I joined the MS club about a month or so ago. I actually did the trial right before I had taken the RPR but didn't really tackle too much until after the test (long story short, I was disappointed in how much I kept "freezing" up during the test and decided afterwards to get back some speed and to practice every day). Anyway, I am up to Lesson 16 in the Briefs 101 and I am loving it!!

I am a captioner and I literally just got done doing the news a few minutes ago... and now that so many of the phrasing briefs are feeling more natural, I notice my hands seem much more calm, even during the very fast segments, and I am really getting so much closer to 100% verbatim. It just feels so great.

I think you really have a winning formula that you are teaching on your website. I can't wait to see where I will be in a couple months after I go through more of the videos, learn more briefs and keep practicing. Just felt compelled to send you a quick note. Thanks again!!!

S. L.

Reporter Passes RMR With Hard Work and Prayer

Hello, Mark.

I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know my thoughts on the RMR test. First of all, regardless of whether I passed, I thought it was a good, fair test. [Note: We found out she passed! See note below - MK] There was no difficult subject matter which might trip us up, in my opinion. So if I failed any part of it, it's all on me. Second, I can't thank you enough for everything you do for our profession and for your Magnum Steno Club members especially. I have suffered from test anxiety for a long time.

I attempted the CRR a couple of times a while back, but I gave up because my fingers would shake so much that I knew I could never write clean notes on my machine during the test. I took the RMR test one time many, many years ago and didn't even bother transcribing any bit of it because nerves got the better of me.

However, I spent a good deal of time listening to your test week videos this week and really working more on focusing my mind on all those things you were teaching rather than worrying so much about just practicing on the machine. I am certain that those videos, along with all the high-speed practice, and the prayer made all the difference for me. Regardless of whether I passed the RMR today, I feel a certain level of victory in the mere fact that I was able to put all those things into practice and I was able to overcome, in large part, my text anxiety and I was able to actually transcribe all three legs!

So here's my rundown specifically of how the test went for me today:

1) While the warmup was playing, I prayed very loudly in my head during the entire minute, trying to really focus my mind and also trying to block out the warmup material so I would still be keyed up for faster dictation, as you suggested.

2) Literary started and I was a bit nervous, but I tried to breathe deeply and calm myself. I felt my writing was a bit rough because my heart was pounding so hard that it was a bit distracting to me. If I dropped, I don't remember it. I did have some spots where my notes were difficult to read, but hopefully not enough to make me fail the test.

3) Before jury charge, I prayed again during the warmup.

4) Jury charge started fine, but somewhere I lost focus and dropped a bit. I wasn't really nervous by this time, though. I wasn't exactly relaxed, but I wasn't a basket case either. When I lost focus, I made myself come right back as quickly as I could and regrouped, reminding myself to fight through it.

5) In retrospect, I'm thinking that it was either at this drop spot or another rough spot that was caused because I tried to correct a mistake. As soon as I hit that asterisk key, I knew it was a bad move. Again, I regrouped and went right on. I'm going to remember not to correct next time around!

6) I prayed again during warmup before testimony. When the testimony started, my mind was blown by how slow it sounded! My notes were beautiful for the first few lines at least. At the beginning is where I usually have lots of problems because of nerves, but not this time. It started off like a dream. There were several spots during testimony where my notes were difficult to read because I was fighting through a few places. I may have dropped a word or two mainly because I couldn't read my notes, but I don't think I had any actual drops. In other words, I had a stroke for everything, even if I couldn't quite read it.

There was only one other reporter transcribing the RMR today. We finished at the same time, but she only transcribed two legs. When it was over and we discussed the test, she marveled at how fast the Q&A was. I told her it actually sounded slow to me, and I used that opportunity to plug your website to her. I gave her the link and she seemed interested. I really hope she'll join so she can be sure and pass the test next time. I feel certain that if I didn't pass today, I will pass in November. Speaking of which, I think I'll go put in my practice for the day. I'm not going to start slacking now!

Have a blessed weekend!

[NOTE: As of June 9, 2010, we found out Dana PASSED the RMR!! - MK]

Dana

Member Credits God and Club for CSR Pass

Mark,

I just wanted to share my good news with the Magnum Steno Club and list what I felt were the main elements that contributed to my success. First and foremost, I give credit to God as being the main reason I passed the Texas CSR this past January. My continued faith in Him was the only thing that kept me going. In addition to God in my life, I give credit to you and your speed videos as well as your instructional ones.

I believe there are two types of students -- those who we lovingly call "freaks" and those who have to work hard for every speed they achieve. Actually, let's not forget those students who quit. I was a student who had above-average aptitude for court reporting, but I had to work incredibly hard once I hit the upper speeds. After years of frustration at not being able to obtain the speed and accuracy necessary to graduate much less qualify to take the CSR, I decided at the beginning of this past school semester that I was going to do everything it took to get out of school. I practiced six to eight hours a day, even weekends. This resulted in a lot of stress, tension, and pain in my upper back. I started going weekly to a chiropractor as well as a massage therapist to try to relieve my pain. Nothing helped, but I continued practicing at this same intensity. I was determined to succeed if it killed me -- not literally. I would sit through testing with tears rolling down my face because of the pain in my shoulders and back. I made a mental adjustment and decided to give 100% of my effort regardless of the failures that I faced on a daily basis. I have never been challenged in life as much as I have in school.

I started Magnum Steno a week before I was to take the Louisiana test this past October. I had been passing tests in school all semester within state standards; but once it came to the actual Q&A that I needed to become a La. CSR, my hands started to shake uncontrollably for the ENTIRE five minutes. I fought for every word that I wrote. I had 85 errors on that test. Two weeks later I took the RPR. I passed the Jury and Q&A, but missed the Lit by three errors. Instead of letting this get me down, I remembered you saying in one of your videos that it didn't matter if I failed a test or not, that I just needed to do my best and give everything I had. There would always be another opportunity to test again. I felt no shame because I truly had given it my best effort.

On the day of the RPR, I realized what it was that was subconsciously holding me back. I was so worried about who in my life was going to be disappointed if I failed these tests. I finally decided that I had to do it for ME. From then on the only one I allowed to enter the testing room besides myself was God. From the middle of October to January 9th, I practiced your methods of giving 100% of my effort, to do my best to stay on top of the speaker, to block out all thoughts during the test, and to get a stroke for every word and make it the best stroke possible. I couldn't always prevent thoughts from popping in my head during a test; but with a little practice, I was able to immediately push them out. I was surprised to realize that the more I practiced the Magnum Steno way, the less time I actually had to spend on my machine outside of school. Both my speed and accuracy increased. This also alleviated some pain in my back. I was practicing smarter.

I apologize for being so lengthy, but I just wanted you to know that Magnum Steno played a huge role in my recent success. I continue with Magnum Steno because I still have a leg to go for both Louisiana and the RPR. I also plan on trying for my CRR. Thanks to you, I have full confidence in my continued success.

Sincerely,

Corina E. Lozano

Reporter Improving and Loving Club

Hi Mark,

Thought I would write you a note and give you some feedback. I love the Magnum Steno Club and what it has done for my writing. I love the speed building and know it is making a difference, but I especially love the briefs. I'm through Briefs 101, the eighth session. I've had to make some changes, which are a process, but have been worth the time and effort.

When you're at a job and they come naturally, what a beautiful thing. I've looked at the ninth part and see that it is "me" and "my" in the right hand, which is fabulous. It means I need to change the final "m" from being my right-handed him, but that's easy enough. I've also used some of the other briefs practices, those and these in the right hand. Beautiful!!

That's been a tricky one, but oh, what a blessing when I get it at my jobs. I love, love "going to, going to be, going to have," et cetera. My, oh, my. I'm loving every minute of it, and I'm not doing it to prepare for a test necessarily although after 22 years, I really should be a Merit writer. I am doing this because I love my job and love it even more now.

I also love writing common words and endings in one stroke. I'm getting the hang of dragging the final l, with the k, which is so cool. I keep thinking why didn't I think of that? You have been a tremendous blessing to me, and I thank God for the gifts and talents He's given to you and that you are willing to share. I'm in this for the long haul. God bless you and your family and Happy 2010!!!

Mindi

Working Wonders: Student Passes 225 After One Week in Magnum Steno Club

Good morning, Mark,

Just wanted to let you know that your method is working wonders. I've still got a lot of learning to do, but I've only been at it for a week. When I got my first 225 under 25 errors, I thought I would never get another one. It turned out that I got my other one that I needed to graduate the next day.

Having said that, I REALLY didn't think I would get another one under 25 errors. If I take anything away from Magnum Steno, it's the ability to focus and block out all the mindless chatter that I usually have going on in my head during a test.

I was sitting in class on Monday, and the room was extremely hot. A third of the class is hot, a third of the class is cold and a third of the class is just right. Anyway, I didn't complain because I've already met my requirements for graduation. I didn't say anything in spite of the fact that I have to be constantly aware of my high blood pressure. I literally thought I was going to pass out and fall on the floor, but I wasn't going to say anything. The temperature is a REAL BIG issue at our school between the students and teachers.

I focused and got through the test, but I didn't transcribe it until later because I had a doctor's appointment. When I did get a chance to translate it, within the alloted hour, there were two kids yak, yak, yakking around me the whole time. I finally lost it and told them to HUSH. I got my results back the next day. I got a 21 on it. I couldn't believe it. I know I'm prepared for Saturday's test in Louisiana. If I could focus through nearly passing out and edit with kids around, there's no way I won't nail that test.

I've been going on an on and on about your website to my classmates. You should expect a call from a lot of the upper speed class soon -- especially since they've seen how it's worked for me so far.

Eternally grateful,

Corina E. Lozano

Student Stuck at 160 Discovers Club and Feels Set Free

Six weeks ago, I was wondering how on Earth I was ever going to be a realtime writer with the tools I had been given at school. I was very, very sad. I watched our bank account dwindle down by $15,000 over 2 years with no career in sight. I was doing everything right - went to school every day, practiced several hours every day, and could not understand why after 2 years I could barely write 180. Was I too old? Did I lack talent? Was it folly to think I could do this at my age?

Well, now I know - I was in a bad "arranged" marriage to a theory and school that were in complete conflict with my skills and goals. I'm sure similar stories and situations abound across the country.

Sorry to keep gushing like this, but I feel so at home writing short that my reaction is that of a prisoner set free after being kept shackled in a dungeon for 2 years with nothing to eat but moldy bread and fetid water. Well, anyway, you get the picture. . . briefs and phrases are like sunshine and ambrosia! - "M."

Reporter Credits Mark's Methods for CRR and CSR Passing

June 24, 2009: 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!! -- Rebecca Callow

New Reporter Credits Club with Increased Skill and Confidence to do Job

Dear Mark,

I cannot thank you enough for putting together this website. I have been a member for less than a month, but I feel like I have learned so much, and I truly feel my skills growing every day!

I recently graduated school and was having a tough time transitioning from being a student reporter to a working reporter. I can't express how much all your invaluable advice, positive reinforcement, brief practice, and dictation has helped me.

I started practicing to your plethora of dictation material before my jobs. Your super-fast, challenging dictation gave me the confidence to finally begin working, and for that I am forever grateful.

Sincerely,

Nancy

Elated Reporter Loves Reporting and Loves the Club

Mark, Thanks for the fast dictation !! I have been dreaming of having this kind of service for a long time. I appreciate it very much.

I am able to more fully and completely relate with this Chariots of Fire movie quote: "When I run I feel His pleasure." The runner's "high," the exhilaration and ecstasy !! Thanks for the opportunity to feel these same emotions as a shorthand writer. When I write fast (and especially clean) I feel His pleasure!!

Thank you for the opportunity to take the skill God has given me and perfect and strengthen it to such a high degree. Your life and work is a blessing to me beyond description. Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!!

Thank you for your passion and love of excellent shorthand writing and speed building. Thank you for the great innovations you have given us all and for the opportunity to have less fatigue as writers, cleaner transcripts, more time and money for our families and out-of-this-world phantasmagoric job satisfaction!!

Thank you for being the pioneer you truly are, for following your heart, mind and spirit by giving us and the world a higher standard to reach for, a more excellent way !! Thank you for the new life blood you have infused into this demanding work. It's obviously becoming easier and easier the more I incorporate your incredible briefs and phrases !! Bless you and your wonderful family.

Sincerely, Clark Edwards

Reporter Sees Speed Improvement and Future RPR Pass

Dear Mark,

I still can't fathom that most reporters don't practice (and that I didn't!) You definitely came up with the perfect answer for working reporters, both time and cost factors considered. It definitely makes the day go better. Yes, I have noticed the increase in speed, and I WILL get the next RPR!! That's what made my mind up--the test should have gone better and it didn't. I will not be thwarted, especially since I now have your secret weapons--briefs--at my fingertips. In addition to all that, the speed has increased as well as the tran rate which, of course, means less editing time, etc.

Anonymous

Reporter Seeing Quick Improvement

Mark, still going strong. This is already working. In court yesterday, my brain was much clearer and the work was easier. The first time I practiced today it was so much easier for me. I think I'm really, at times, getting something for every word. I try to all the time, but it doesn't always work, but I'm starting to hear these ridiculous speeds. Thank you.

Tracy

Reporter Now "Getting" Formerly Unwritable Witness

Just wanted to thank you for your club, and to thank you for helping me with my writing a speedy drug task force witness that I have to report at least once every couple of weeks. Before Magnum Steno, I thought he was simply unwritable for me. And when I'd see him coming, I wanted to duck and hide or claim "broken fingers" or something silly like that.

Last week he testified, and it didn't really dawn on me until about halfway through his testimony that I was keeping up with him (you know, "keep up with the speaker") like you'd taught me to do. It really wasn't much different than any other witness in the hearing! I knew immediately it was because of your help. So thank you for making this guy writable for me!! Thank! Thank you! Thank you!

T.L.R.

Reporter Seeing Huge Improvement in Notes

Hola Mark,

Yay! I got to PRA with the Club again yesterday. Thx for the P A FR D of the week from the Windy City, Chicago. Your April fool's selection was very fun. Can't wait to HEAR and WRITE DOWN AT VERY, VERY HIGH SPEED what you come up with next.

Guess what? I am editing a job taken March 25 (after the March 21 seminar and four days of diligent digit Steno Club speed building) and I can notice a huge IMPROVEMENT in the notes. Fingers are much more SURE of themselves and are hitting something for EVERYTHING very, very, very ACCURATELY. While editing the job later, it's entertaining and educational to look over at the steno notes -- just like you do on your highly-acclaimed 11 yr old notes series -- and say to myself "WHY ARE YOU WRITING THAT IN SO MANY STROKES, knucklehead???

SSC (reporting since 1983...Old dog rejuvenated by learning new Steno Trix!)

Student Feels Invigorated to Finally Pass RPR

Mark, I am a want-to-be court reporter in Arizona. I took your seminar in Phoenix on Feb, 7th and the whole day I kept hearing bells dinging in my head and seeing light bulbs flashing.

I've been struggling for years to pass the RPR (it is required in my state to work). So many things you were saying were thoughts that I had, but didn't know how to act on them. Your practice method is working for me!!! What a relief it is for me...you have no idea.

For two years alone I have been striving to pass the QA portion of the RPR -- that's the only leg I need!! For two years!! I started court reporting school (at Gateway) in the fall of 2001.

I found the hardest part of school was the very end. And you taught me why! There is no speed building at 280 or higher!! The students complained too much when it gets to 240 and the teachers were influenced by that. I am now practicing every day to Magnum Steno and speeding my own material up to 280. Today I committed a sin and left the take at 225 for the whole thing (I'll repent later.) I just had to see how it was going. It was a cake walk!!!!! I feel liberated and victorious! This RPR is not going to defeat me! Bring it on NCRA! BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!

Niki

Reporter Kind of Likes the Club

"I'm loving the Steno Club-- ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS!!!!!!!! NEVER STOP!!!!! I'm going to NAIL my RMR Q&A May 2nd without a doubt. Thank you millions and millions!!".

Clark

Reporter Fed Up With Stroking Out, Shortens with StenoMaster Theory and Magnum Steno Book

Mark:

I just bought your Magnum Steno book... I've worn out my StenoMaster book, so I bought a new one... I originally learned RWG theory [RobertsWalshGonzalez Theory]. While it was a simple theory to learn, once you get to 240, it is just a lot of work to write.

Once I got out of school and got certified, I said, There's no way I can keep up in the real world with this theory. It has worked for people in my school, but not for me. In school we were taught that briefs were evil and to stay away from them and write everything out. They told us briefs would only add to our time in school.

Out of curiosity, I bought every theory book out there to see how each theory did things the way they did. When I saw yours, it scared me because it was everything my school said not to do. Not knowing any better, I decided to leave it alone.

But once I finished with school and got my certifications, I was fed up with all the stroking. I said, There's gotta be an easier way. I got your StenoMaster book out and inhaled it. I loooooooooooooove that book. It makes stenoing more fun and interesting. Thank you so much for putting that book out. I can't believe no schools out here use that theory. It makes me so frustrated.

And then when I heard you had a school, I got so sad. If I would have known, I would have made the move to attend your school. Oh well. The next best thing are your books, so I will be okay.

Anyway, thank you so much for your theory and your Magnum Steno book. It has made me faster. Now I have a shot at the RMR.

Name Withheld Upon Request

The Magnum Steno Book is a tome on better short writing. There's so much to study in it, I've just begun. I've just found, for example, there's a chapter just on using the word couple in phrases.

Initally, my favorite chapter is "-Z is Better than -S for Plurals," because I learned -Z for plurals and was always trying to use the -S for some things.

Page 127, Merges, using all the word's letters seems to make those steno outlines much easier to remember. My theory taught the -GT for final -th, so your Philadelphia shift (-SD) is just a right slide from there. It might be a little easier for me to remember.

What's interesting is the way you pair don't with who. You wouldn't or you don't hear you don't by itself but you do in phrases. It's a new brief starter for me.

The Magnum Steno Book is a great addition to my library.

Sally

MAGNUM STENO SEMINARS:

"One of the most informative seminars I've attended. Lots of pertinent/usable new information."

"Mr Kislingbury is a genius in his field. He is a phenomenal speaker, very knowledgable, informative, and thorough. He is also a great speaker with a good sense of humor and kept me interested throughout the whole seminar. The seminar was worth the money I spent." P.Y.

"It is hard work, but I came back to be tortured for the second time. I have been a court reporter since 1976...everything written out. Your seminar changed my writing. I will "never" be you but you are truly inspiring. It was excellent." Cheri Violette

"I was hesitant to branch out and learn new briefs and phrases before coming here. This seminar has made me change my mind and I can't wait to get started writing shorter. Thanks a million!" C.C.

"Excellent seminar, very inspiring and gave me a lot of ideas to work on." B.S.

"I thoroughly enjoyed the seminar. Mark is a great presenter and makes it easily understood." Paula

"Mark, you are the best instructor I've ever had in any court reporting seminar, and I truly mean that. You are an extremely patient and genuine individual. The fact that you really want to help us to be better reporters and you're not doing seminars just to make a buck really shines through!!! I appreciate the respect you have for each of us as individuals and the various software programs we use." Debbie Harnen

"I got so much from this day of new ideas and techniques. I know they will help me so much in future writing. What fun it is to find new shortcuts. The speed building ideas were also excellent. Implementing them will make us all extremely proficient writers! Thank you so much!" Lou Ann Parker

"I feel confident learning from someone who radiates such success! Indisputably, something is "right" with Mark Kislingbury's method, as is attested by his world record. Even using Phoenix Theory, there are still many "tricks" that I plan on incorporating into my daily practice." Laura B. Parker

"I love briefs, so this seminar was heaven for me. Thanks for all your advice. You're awesome!" T.A.J.

"Great motivation for a long-time reporter. Thank you so much, Mark! You are so kind. I got some great things to incorporate." J.W.

"First I want to thank you for the excellent seminar you presented in San Diego a few weeks ago. When I first decided to attend, it was because I needed points, and, what the heck, I might pick up a good idea here and there. I really thought I knew pretty much all there was to know about realtime reporting, and didn't think there was anyone better than I was at it. Well, as life always does when one's head gets too big, you really pushed me off of my self-constructed pedestal. So much so, that I have decided to pursue your theory." M.V.

"I've been a big fan ever since I first heard about your theory when you came to Edmonton, Alberta Canada. I know you won't remember me, or at least I wouldn't expect you to, but you signed my book with the quote "You can do it." I find myself continuously looking back at quote from Sept 18th, 2005, and remembering how I felt this book would change my fortunes. At that time I was on my 160s. I was doing well, but I knew that I needed something to change. A lot of time has passed since then, but I did finish my 225s in early February of 2006 largely due to your theory and went on to write in Sierra Leone. I'm now doing my dream job and living in Europe, which was one of my biggest goals that I had set out to achieve for myself. I wanted to thank you for helping me achieve my goals and being so open about your theory and sharing it with everybody. Your theory book - although I didn't incorporate everything - has made a huge impact on me and how I write. I just wanted to thank you. I'm sorry for taking so long to do so. I just have been caught up in other things :) Thank you for your time. And your "You can do it," signing actually did mean a lot to me." S.M.

"I was at your seminar in Houston this weekend and thought this would be a great way to try to implement your short writing style. (On the article you gave us to count our strokes, my total was 170!) I've been a reporter 17 years and learned Sten-Ed theory. I've done your brief and speed videos for two days and I'm loving it. I had a depo today with a fast talker and I could tell the difference in speed (my hands were warmed up already) and I started using some of the briefs, mainly adding in the endings to the word, for now. Thanks for providing this tool. It's something I'll definitely use, as it just takes up a small amount of time daily. Have a great day!" A.M.

"Who hasn't watched super-human Mark K. as he aced a speed contest or broke a world record? In his seminars, Mark humbles himself and shows us that he makes mistakes just like the rest of us. To that I can relate!" Karen Teig

"The seminar was very informative and enlightening. After learning a lot of the briefs and methods, it was like a light bulb going off in my head! I would definitely recommend it to anyone at any level of experience." Karrie Truitt

"Extremely informative. Well worth the money." Edie Daniels

"Wonderful! I really enjoyed it. Thanks for coming to Des Moines!!" Anonymous

"I enjoyed the four-day seminar. It was well worth the money. I would do it again and will." S.B.

"I liked the phrasing, dictation live. Great technology tools for us to see. Life stories were great to hear." Sheryl Stawski

"Exceptional! Inspiring! Rewarding! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Kim Folds

"Thank you so-o-o much you've really are a good teacher. I am now excited about the fact that I can do it. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING. I cannot tell you how much of a huge honor it was to meet you!!" Anonymously

"I have absolutely no criticisms of this seminar whatsoever. Nothing but PRAISE. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your commitment to our field and your contagious enthusiasm to encourage us to become more proficient and then, ultimately, HAPPIER court reporters. This was worth EVERY PENNY. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME! God bless you richly." Dina Villis

"Great, Excellent, Bravo! Totally worth it! You + Samuel were great and very personal all through out every step of registration! Thank you, thank you, and thank you!" Pauline Garry

"The Seminar was a turnaround in my approach to writing. After the first weekend, I feel like a new reporter! I'm excited about my job and now this will make my job easier. Very clear in its presentation, the room was cozy enough that you could hear other's questions. I give this seminar A+ Change is fun!!!" Anonymously

"Mark, your enthusiasm and passion for writing short and writing fast is inspirational, grounded in humility and generosity. Your willingness to share "your secrets" has made this the best seminar of my professional career while reinforcing our duty to strive for excellence! You have really made it fun! Thank you so much." Sherrie L. Segall

"Thank you so much for everything. You've given me hope to become a great reporter instead of a good reporter. You made learning fun and human and really listened to our needs and helped us find a better way to do things. It has been a pleasure to meet you!" Laura Quinette

"Great-Fantastic-Learning how to speed build your way is great. CRR, watch out!" Anonymously

"Very exciting, quick results. Thank you for sharing." Jennifer Campbell

"I feel these two days already made my career easier. Mark is an inspiration." S.B.

"The Seminar definitely gave me some new methods to go back to use in improving my writing." L.P.

"You rock!!" J.E.

"Good location. Nice size group. I like that you are very motivational and not negative." Gay Dall

"Dear Mark: As I wrote a very challenging 200 pages today with 2, if not 3, people talking most of the time all day long, I kept thanking myself for taking your boot camp which just ended last week. I can NOT tell you THANKS enough for all the help you gave me in improving my writing style, learning to concentrate much better than I had been in the past, and staying right on top of the speakers today. Thanks for so many new briefs I learned that kept me "in the game" today!!! :) I've been reporting since 1969 -- AIB (Iowa) grad of Feb. 1969!!!! :) : ) == learned Berry Horne theory; first class at AIB to learn long vowels!!! (Began attending AIB fall of '67; my certificate is dated Feb. 28, 1969). So it IS possible for us "older, experienced" reporters to learn new things -- and apply them immediately!! :) : ) the only way I passed the CRR in 2003 (Reno) was with your guidance. Think how much better I'd be if only I had time for practice!! I WILL put some lists of briefs on my mirror to keep learning. :) :) : ) THANKS again!" Bev Herring-Black

"I appreciate very much the training, the knowledge and the personal care you seemed to have for each one of us in the boot camp experience that ended Thursday. Frankly, I do not think any teacher/instructor has heretofore given me that sense of his/her having a personal commitment and investment in student success. It makes a decided difference in the student's own approach to the endeavor. When you closed with the suggestion that we pray for one another's success (and I did), that was the icing on the cake. Your teaching ability is equal to your writing ability. I am very glad that I enrolled in your boot camp experience! I have learned a new approach, and I am eager to make it mine." Joan

"Hi Mark,! Here's the news! If you recall, I am working on getting my last leg of the RPR with the lit. I was just waiting for that fourth minute to hit me. You know the part I am talking about, right? Guess what happened! The test ended!!!!! I never felt it. Bottom line, this is the closest I have ever come to passing this test. I know I have several bloopers throughout the test, but I really do not feel they add up to 45 errors. I think I actually passed. Thanks again for everything! You are truly a Godsend!" Debby

"Mark, just a note to say I loved your boot camp. I have been really struggling with my writing for a few years, because I didn't have your teaching tools. Thought it was because of my age, but it was really practicing slow instead of fast and trying to be too perfect. Your great coaching and positive attitude were just the tonic I needed! Will probably take the next one, too. Many thanks." Dennis

"I just got home, but I didn't want to go to bed without telling you how much I enjoyed the teleconference tonight. I thought it was very, very helpful in pointing out your favorite briefs and those that you felt were the most frequently used. I marked those that you felt were really important, and I plan to focus on them with the new theory class. Sorry we had to go, but at around 11:00 the security starts coming around to see why we haven't left. There was one student who had a question, but she said she would email you with it. I heard another student say that this was the best conference of them all -- she felt like she got a lot out of it. I feel the same way. Just thought I'd let you know. Great job!" Dolores

"Mark, Wow! First off, I was sad to end our 10 sessions. Next, thank you so much for all of your help! I am confident that I passed my literary RPR leg FINALLY!! I had been missing the main key all along: SHORTEN MY WRITING. I followed your advice all the way, and cannot tell you how easy and how much in control I was. You are a Godsend, Mark, and I just want you to know that I owe my success this past weekend to you and your encouragement. I hope to meet you in person one day, and I plan on taking your classes again. I purchased your theory book and am anxious to start at Chapter 1 and go forward learning more and more about your theory. Again, much thanks and YOU ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES." Kate B.