explore | Grilled Cheese

#SpoonieAuthChat oct 1
Biggest of course is only writing neurodivergences I'm familiar with, either my own or something I have research and have sensitivity consultants for.

When I can, I try to include multiple neurodivergent characters, to show a variety of neurodivergent experiences.

Part of it is being in continuous conversation w/diverse kinds of neurodivergent folks. Another part of it is reading critical non-fiction written by ND folks abt their experience. A last part is sensitivity reads.

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I guess I just do my best? And research, too!

I know for future plans, I want to research and talk to people of different ND experiences. No two experiences are the same, even if some have several similarities.

Spoonie Authors Chat for writers who manage spoons, October 1, 2026:

How do you avoid harmful neurodivergent tropes in your works?

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When autistic characters are depicted as both unfeeling and aroace. Nothing wrong with an autistic character being aro and/or ace, but when it's the default and it's associated with lack of empathy, it's damaging to both autistic and aroace communities, because neither lack empathy.
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Fucking Sheldon type representation

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Not really a trope *specifically* but I find it annoying whenever a character is like, nd in canon, nt writers write them as if they aren't a character anymore, just a caricature

Sonic beats Sheldon anytime is what I'm saying

In my queer horror WIP, two out of the five MCs are intentionally written as neurodivergent (AuDHD), and it's really fun to explore where their experience overlaps and diverges. I want their POVs to reflect that.
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Yes, I write many neurodivergent characters, some intentionally and some accidentally. Oftentimes I don't particularly intend for a character to be neurodivergent or neurotypical, but I come to realise that they're clearly neurodivergent the more I flesh them out. 1/2
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I think she sounds awesome! And it has nothing to do with the fact that I’m an autistic woman who manages depression and cPTSD.

Although if anyone called me any version of pixie dreamgirl, I might trebuchet them into the sun. 😆 #SpoonieAuthChat

Spoonie Authors Chat for writers who manage spoons, September 30, 2026:

What awful neurodivergent tropes really tick you off when you see them in books or on screen?

(Please quote-post and add #SpoonieAuthChat!) #WriteSky

The MC of my novella Dustoff Down has an autistic sister and is some shade of ND herself. It's short, so we haven't seen much from them yet, but I intend to continue their story. #spoonieauthchat

I sure do! Daumantas Borzhegov in Sword of the Voivode is autistic, as well as Radu in Last Wolves of Paris. #SpoonieAuthChat