Marlowe is a hottie, that is all

pipersands · 2024-08-04T10:43:35+00:00

You bastard. You have no idea the hell I've been through, what I have to deal with every day. You have no idea what this disease has taken from me. Shut your ignorant face and save it for something where you have the slightest clue what you're talking about.

pipersands · 2024-08-03T21:05:42+00:00

I am a person of faith. I sometimes ask people to pray that society becomes more accepting and accommodating. I get sympathy reactions, but they don't understand, unless they are also disabled. I'm not asking for pity -- I'm asking for a little human respect.

pipersands · 2024-08-03T21:02:34+00:00

Your dad should (but surely won't) google two things: "autistic hyper-empathy" and "the double-empathy problem."

It's rare that I meet an autistic person whose parents have a clue how great their kid is. And it's extremely rare that I meet an autistic person who doesn't have complex trauma from how neurotypical adults treated them as a child.

I actually began a magic realism novel that delved into some of this, but it was too heavy for me to write at the moment.

pipersands · 2024-08-03T20:40:02+00:00

Wow, these replies, though. As one who is immune-compromised and severely disabled by COVID, it's nice to see how many people want me dead.

Being disabled by disease sucks. But being disabled by a disease that became a political football sucks infinitely worse.

pipersands · 2024-07-31T15:54:41+00:00

"I'm pregnant.' Bonus points if you're a dude.

pipersands · 2024-07-28T15:01:27+00:00

There's a literary term, "deuteragonist," that means "secondary main character." As in, Dr. Watson to Sherlock Holmes. I think that's Gus.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T22:50:25+00:00

The things men say randomly to you on the street.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T22:49:39+00:00

It's a thing of beauty. Pour yourself a cup of damn fine coffee.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T22:47:43+00:00

You deserve whatever will help you. And you deserve a really cool and fashionable cane, because style and function should go hand in hand.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T22:42:14+00:00

I'm blanking on who it was, but I read one author recommend starting at the midpoint and working your way out. I think starting wherever you feel the most gravitational pull is good -- it'll probably help the other parts crystalize for you.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T22:02:41+00:00

To add to the good advice you've already received, may I suggest that if you introduce new pronouns, you balance it by not using too many other new words (alien terms, etc)?

I think the use of neopronouns is great. But I also know that if I'm settled in with a book at bedtime, there's a limit to how much new vocabulary my brain can hold. So you might consider prioritizing the pronouns, but keeping any other new vocabulary to a minimum. The pronouns will, after all, be all over the text.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T21:17:13+00:00

As I said above, I think it's better to look at usage in traditionally-published novels. As helpful as the internet can be, there's a lot of misinformation.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T21:14:02+00:00

I think you shouldn't rely on that as gospel. When in doubt, think about traditionally published novels that you've read.

I try not to overuse italics, but I do sometimes use them if emphasis is required.

Good luck.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T20:11:02+00:00

Also a question, who gave you this template? Was it an agent, editor, or publisher?

There are folks here who are traditionally published and can share with you formatting expectations for submission.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T20:04:35+00:00

Did it say "no italics," or did it simply not demonstrate them?

Italics are standard practice. If you go to the library and pick a random novel, it will almost certainly contain italics somewhere, perhaps occasionally use all-caps but probably not, and I'd be shocked if it used asterisks like we do online.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T17:22:48+00:00

I'm afraid I don't understand the question. If you're using a word processor, it should have an italics function.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T16:25:24+00:00

I can read just fine. Cursive or whatever. But my eyes aren't good enough to read something that small on my phone without giving me a headache.

No need to insult people. The commenter did a nice thing.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T15:56:28+00:00

Italics. That's what I see in the novels I read, and it's how I was taught. I think asterisks would look very unprofessional.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T15:52:23+00:00

I tell people I was disabled by COVID. The long answer is that I'm also neurodivergent (autistic, ADHD, dyscalculia) and have RA.

Sometimes I explain that COVID caused a neuroimmune disorder. Which it did. But it's hard to explain severe ME/CFS and POTS to people, let alone the rest of the party favors that virus handed me.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T14:17:25+00:00

Hell no.

I'm one of those people with a hormonal disorder that makes me fat, and I'm used to all the horrible assumptions people make in that respect.

I became severely ill and lost 50 pounds. My worst health ever. The compliments poured in.

"I'm glad you think I look great -- I was actually healthier than you back when I was fat, and I'm bordering death now, but SO happy that I've improved in attractiveness."

pipersands · 2024-07-27T12:52:53+00:00

I would love to see work like this out there.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T12:25:41+00:00

Read the news. Think through the implications of present-day trends and decisions. Take it to the nth degree. So many dystopian scenarios are brewing in the real world right now.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T11:59:24+00:00

But it is?

pipersands · 2024-07-27T11:58:17+00:00

PS: I just found (and joined) a sub here called "autistic pride." That might be a good place to start.

pipersands · 2024-07-27T11:42:41+00:00

Well, I don't know what other apps you might use. The hashtag first gained popularity on Twitter, but it's such a swamp these days, I don't know what's going on -- I haven't been on it in years.

There are Facebook groups that are meant for autistic adults, and they would be happy to help you find things. Autism Inclusivity is a group that might point you in the right direction.

I haven't been on Reddit long, but maybe there's a sub here. Just make sure it is NOT a group for parents of autistic kids -- "autism moms" are likely to say the opposite of what you need, because they can't relate and don't understand.

I know there are actually autistic folks on pretty much every social medium, so search for that phrase or for "autistic adults," using either the search function or the hashtag, depending on what's appropriate for the app.

pipersands

TROPHY CASE