The first piece of writing advice that I was given was: Write what you know. Throughout my twenty years as a writer, I’ve happily ignored that advice. I’ve written fantasy novels, horror stories, and countless short stories and poems. And throughout all of them, I wrote only what pleased me, what I felt called … Continue reading
When I was thirteen years old, I went blind. It happened suddenly, with zero warning, and as bad luck would have it, it was just at the end of a gym class when it was time to get changed. At first, I thought I’d gotten something in my eye, but when I rubbed it, the … Continue reading
I’m really tired of being disabled and I don’t wanna do it no more, mkay? Oh yeah, that’s not a thing. I guess I’ll just take a deep breath, use my words, and say, “WTF is the matter with you people without disabilities?” No, seriously, are you all right? Is there anyone I can call? … Continue reading
Forgive me, Father, for I have synonymed. Oh, wait, I’m not Catholic or Anglican (both traditions have the sacrament of Confession), I’m Jewish. So, that sort of confession isn’t appropriate. Yet, confession is an appropriate term for where I’m at with being a spoonie. The evidence is there in report cards and in what has … Continue reading
I am a disabled author, editor, and academic. I grew up wanting to see people like myself in my fiction—people with disabilities. All I ever encountered were tropes about disabled people. We could be the wise mentor who dies, the inspirational hero who is rewarded with a magical cure, about the person who triumphs over … Continue reading
Let’s discuss tomorrow, today, and right now. Tomorrow I am going to take the first step towards getting some (very) part-time work by being interviewed at the local Vocational Rehabilitation office. Compared to the majority of the people they see, my Bachelor’s degree, my year of graduate school, various successful professions, and being a business … Continue reading
Most people don’t know it took me almost three years to write Lust and Lemonade. I started it on December 29, 2013 and finished the first draft on the May 23, 2015. Writing Lust and Lemonade was a labour of love, yes, but it was also one of self-discovery and healing. When I was diagnosed … Continue reading
Lately I’ve been angry. Why? I have listened to my doctor say to me on one visit that I’m disabled and need an accessibility permit, but on the next visit that I’m not disabled enough for certain forms to be filled out. I get told constantly that I shouldn’t mourn the life I can’t have … Continue reading
A lot of authors say they’ve been writing all their lives. I’m no exception. I wrote nonstop, pausing only for university. I barely had time to read unless it was a scientific journal. After graduation I started submitting short stories. I even wrote a few novels. When the pile of rejections kept growing, I decided … Continue reading
