A few months ago, I had an idea for an article. I’d noticed that neurodivergent representation in fantasy fiction was all over the map – unrealistic, plot devices, insulting portrayals or not portrayed at all. I thought, “well, I’ve been reading fantasy since someone first put a chapter book in my hands (about twenty years ago), and I write and read about being neurodivergent, and I am neurodivergent. I could write something about the kind of research and planning that’s needed for good neurodivergent characters.”
So I wrote an article and pitched it to Mythic Scribes, a site which specialises in fantasy for fantasy writers, and they accepted it.
HUGE thanks are therefore due to Mythic Scribes for publishing my work: Writing Neurodivergent Characters in Fantasy.
Enjoy!
In other news, I’m planning to add some more in-depth analyses of neurodivergent characters in speculative fiction (sci fi, fantasy, dystopian etc.). Among the books I’m considering are The Parable of the Sower, The Lightning Thief, and On the Edge of Gone. Are there any other titles/characters you’d like to see in the discussion?
If you’re interested in learning more about writing neurodivergent characters or real-life neurodivergent folks, check out these resources:
- Ada Hoffman’s Autistic Book Party reviews, and her equally awesome essays;
- Words and art of transformative justice from Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha;
- Octavia Butler blazed a proud trail through science fiction. She was also dyslexic. Her books remain relevant, as do her comments in this 1991 article from Callaloo.
- Cathy Kirch’s awesome list of Reasons People with ADHD Make Great Writers;
- “In the last year, other kinds of love have been failing me and that’s pushed me to seek out or deepen relationships with disabled people:” A. H. Reaume writes about the challenges and new sources of strength she has found while living with a brain injury.
Emma Lammers 