New year, new blog, new book, people!
The title for my next manuscript will be Him Lessons! For this one, I’m bringing back my girl Andy who was introduced at the end Browning’s Promise and who also featured in Pretty Jane. Right from the jump, I knew I’d eventually get to telling her story, and now the time has come for it. I must admit to feeling some trepidation about delving into her character because she isn’t neurotypical.
As a mother of a son with autism, I feel I can speak to that experience with some authority, but as for getting into the headspace of a twenty-two-year-old woman on the spectrum… that’s an entirely different matter. I’m not autistic, so I will never be able to fully understand what that experience is like. I can only do my best to research and to listen to those who are so that I might gain insight on how to continue shaping Andy’s character. To that end, it has been wonderful to be able to chat with my writer friend, KT, who is a woman with autism, and whose advice I value so much. (Thanks much, KT, for those Ted talk links! You rock, lady!)
Now, as for my other main character, I’ve got a totally different thing to research. And that thing is surfing. Because, yep, Andy’s leading man is going to be a super-hot surfer who lives near her in San Diego.
Note to self: spend another weekend watching surfer videos on YouTube. For, ahem, research purposes. Also, rewatch Point Break. Not for research purposes. For Keanu and Patrick purposes.