I'm retrospectively bummed that Chuq is gone now :( even though it's only over Christmas, I can clearly see the trajectory of their relationship, and why Slacy cares for her so much.
I don’t know how you’ve done it, but I feel like you’ve put my entire inner monologue into Chuq’s character. She feels super relatable to me. Which makes me even more super sad that she is gonna die 😭😭
Also, is it bad that that I was like… Slace is definitely ND before you mentioned it? But I live in a family of neurospicy people so I must have a radar. Also, my main character in my novel is AuDHD (*cough cough* she's kind of based off me *cough cough*) so I guess I’m sort of an expert…🤪😅
Also I’m mid-thirties and I imagine that my inner voice will never be super “mature”. Bahaha
Thank you! That means so much. To write something where someone sees themselves reflected back. 🥹
Yeah, I’ve dropped hints in both The Flucks and Chuq’s story. I figured anyone familiar with it would have seen the signs.
Chuq probably has a light dusting of neurospice. After all, she has an Autistic sister and there’s a genetic component. Slacy has probably been battered and deep fried in it.
In The Flucks, I wanted to show him having learned coping skills over decades. In this story, he hasn’t figured it out yet, but Chuq has him clocked.
Yes, and I especially appreciate how Chuq doesn't make Slace feel bad about it. She obviously accepts him, which is so important. We need that kind of representation in literature for ND people and their friendships.
I didn’t realize I was writing the ND version of a Hallmark movie until I was finished. 😅 Those movies are overly external and loud. The problem is there’s a lot more going on inside.
One of the best ND representations I’ve read is Murderbot. The TV show is okay, smoothed over slightly for a broader audience.
Others include Andy Weir’s books and movies. The Martian had to externalize a lot for the movie.
None of those are “romances” though, platonic or otherwise.
Though, Project Hail Mary has a budding platonic friendship.
My novel is a platonic friendship to lovers haha. But I specifically wanted to show an ND romantic relationship.
I wasn’t diagnosed until 32, after all three of my kids were diagnosed either autistic or ADHD. When the psychologist was like, does your spouse have any ND history in his family? And I was like “No.” He looked at me and was like, “Well, I got news for him. It’s highly unlikely ALL three of your children would be ND if he isn't also ND.” haha. But also the psychologist said there’s a perception that AuDHD individuals rarely have successful romantic relationships. Hence why I decided to write what I did. That’ll show those stuffy psychologists… 😂
Also, forgive me for taking over your comment section with my life story. 😅
Ed, this was great. And I really felt that whole overwhelm thing! It was really awesome the way you brought Chuq to life in this and I kinda hate that she's dead now.
Thanks so much! I know, I’m now sad about Chuq too.
The final scenes were hard to write for many reasons. Meltdowns. Someone handling it with care. Bonding moments. Moments with Maddie (who barely got any time).
It’s strange to me that this story can pretty much stand on its own. That was never planned. But I think someone could read this with no Flucks context whatsoever. Woman meets some doofus. She finds platonic and romantic love. The end.
😭💔 it can definitely stand on its own and would be such a great movie. The best is that they both made each other feel comfortable and also grow as people even in that short time. And they're both not very "warm" people by default but then they were! And the classic looking at the stars 😭
Thank you 🥺. Next, I want to find a professional narrator for it. Anthony is amazing and all, but I don’t think he quite has the right voice for this story. 😂
Thanks for this, Ed. It was amazing.
I'm retrospectively bummed that Chuq is gone now :( even though it's only over Christmas, I can clearly see the trajectory of their relationship, and why Slacy cares for her so much.
Belated Merry Christmas too!
I’m glad it came through in my writing. The story expanded much more than I thought it would.
Merry Christmas!
Sorry it was super late here when I started reading this and I fell asleep 😅 so cozy and nice 🥹
This has been a delight, It’s been so nice to see their relationship develop and get to know Chuq 🥹
I just want to hug all of them
Aw, no worries. It was late when I finished. Barely met the Christmas deadline 😅
Thank you for reading. It was a delight developing their relationship.
I don’t know how you’ve done it, but I feel like you’ve put my entire inner monologue into Chuq’s character. She feels super relatable to me. Which makes me even more super sad that she is gonna die 😭😭
Also, is it bad that that I was like… Slace is definitely ND before you mentioned it? But I live in a family of neurospicy people so I must have a radar. Also, my main character in my novel is AuDHD (*cough cough* she's kind of based off me *cough cough*) so I guess I’m sort of an expert…🤪😅
Also I’m mid-thirties and I imagine that my inner voice will never be super “mature”. Bahaha
Thank you! That means so much. To write something where someone sees themselves reflected back. 🥹
Yeah, I’ve dropped hints in both The Flucks and Chuq’s story. I figured anyone familiar with it would have seen the signs.
Chuq probably has a light dusting of neurospice. After all, she has an Autistic sister and there’s a genetic component. Slacy has probably been battered and deep fried in it.
In The Flucks, I wanted to show him having learned coping skills over decades. In this story, he hasn’t figured it out yet, but Chuq has him clocked.
Yes, and I especially appreciate how Chuq doesn't make Slace feel bad about it. She obviously accepts him, which is so important. We need that kind of representation in literature for ND people and their friendships.
Love is acceptance 😁.
I didn’t realize I was writing the ND version of a Hallmark movie until I was finished. 😅 Those movies are overly external and loud. The problem is there’s a lot more going on inside.
One of the best ND representations I’ve read is Murderbot. The TV show is okay, smoothed over slightly for a broader audience.
Others include Andy Weir’s books and movies. The Martian had to externalize a lot for the movie.
None of those are “romances” though, platonic or otherwise.
Though, Project Hail Mary has a budding platonic friendship.
I still have Andy Weir on my TBR.
My novel is a platonic friendship to lovers haha. But I specifically wanted to show an ND romantic relationship.
I wasn’t diagnosed until 32, after all three of my kids were diagnosed either autistic or ADHD. When the psychologist was like, does your spouse have any ND history in his family? And I was like “No.” He looked at me and was like, “Well, I got news for him. It’s highly unlikely ALL three of your children would be ND if he isn't also ND.” haha. But also the psychologist said there’s a perception that AuDHD individuals rarely have successful romantic relationships. Hence why I decided to write what I did. That’ll show those stuffy psychologists… 😂
Also, forgive me for taking over your comment section with my life story. 😅
That’s a great premise and reason to write it.
I will leave all the ND romance to you 😂. I barely was able to eke out some for Chuq here 😅.
I didn’t really start understanding any of this until my children were diagnosed and my wife and I started working with teen and adult ND groups.
I’m glad to have prompted this conversation and you taking it over.
Ed, this was great. And I really felt that whole overwhelm thing! It was really awesome the way you brought Chuq to life in this and I kinda hate that she's dead now.
Thanks! She will be dead in 70 years 😅. Time is a weird construct.
Well this whole short series was delightful and one of my new favorites.
Every time I think about her dying and the story from the Gheeldyn, I get so sad. I'm glad she had some bright moments.
You did a great job writing in her voice too.
The breakdown at dinner was so hard to read but definitely felt real. It's nice to have people who can be patient with others during those episodes.
I agree with the age thing. I forget I'm nearing 40 every day. I don't feel like a real adult haha.
This was so cozy and real and heartwarming!
Thanks so much! I know, I’m now sad about Chuq too.
The final scenes were hard to write for many reasons. Meltdowns. Someone handling it with care. Bonding moments. Moments with Maddie (who barely got any time).
It’s strange to me that this story can pretty much stand on its own. That was never planned. But I think someone could read this with no Flucks context whatsoever. Woman meets some doofus. She finds platonic and romantic love. The end.
😭💔 it can definitely stand on its own and would be such a great movie. The best is that they both made each other feel comfortable and also grow as people even in that short time. And they're both not very "warm" people by default but then they were! And the classic looking at the stars 😭
Thank you 🥺. Next, I want to find a professional narrator for it. Anthony is amazing and all, but I don’t think he quite has the right voice for this story. 😂
Hahaha it would be too hard to focus on the story.
I had to cut myself off from commenting lol
There’s a limit? 😅
Haha I was just gonna keep rambling about how much I like it so I had to stop. Probably start repeating myself soon.
Ah. Yeah. That happens. It warms my heart you liked it enough to ramble.
Wait what was the part that made you laugh so much!?!
I'm halfway through but have to break for a tantrum! Brb
No, rush. Family first.
I love this 🥹 so glad it ended up being so long but now I’m sad about her dying 🙁
Me too. And me too. 😭
Thanks for reading all of it so quickly, restacking, and commenting.