Empathy is a bit of a sticking point in conversations about autism. It’s one of the most misunderstood elements of the spectrum and it tends to result in us being a bit spiky. There’s a lot of shouting that we’re more empathetic than neurotypical people, so fuck you, World of Allism. There are snarky Facebook … Continue reading Empathy is overrated
Blindness, writing, and a not very savage review of It’s Not What It Looks Like by Molly Burke
So let’s talk about blindness and books. This was actually just going to be another savage review but I thought I’d first write a bit about how NOT to include blindness, or disability generally, in a book. It all comes back to something that happened a few months ago, in a group for beta readers … Continue reading Blindness, writing, and a not very savage review of It’s Not What It Looks Like by Molly Burke
Savage reviews: The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
I’m coming to the conclusion that I don’t have time for wholeass novels that don’t pass the Bechdel test. I get that you might have a harder time making it happen if you’re writing a first person narrative with a male narrator, but… no, actually that’s not an excuse. Have a scene in which the … Continue reading Savage reviews: The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
What’s long, hard and full of crude?
OK people, I’m back. Inktober didn’t kill me. Actually I’ve been asked so many times now to self-publish my Inktober flash fic ramblings that I’m looking to do that. But I don’t want to charge money for a very small book that only contains things that are freely available on my blog, so I’m working … Continue reading What’s long, hard and full of crude?
Inktober 31/10/19: Ripe
The first time the children came to Ethel’s door, she was confused. Then she was irritated, partly at having to haul her aching bones out of her comfortable chair, and partly because she suspected the children had seen her confusion and misinterpreted it. “Harvest festival!” they chimed. “I’m sorry? What is this? Did you want … Continue reading Inktober 31/10/19: Ripe
Inktober 30/10/19: Catch
Call me Mr Fuzzybutt. Some time ago - never mind how long precisely - having little or no kibble in my bowl, and with many hours before dusk, I thought I would explore the skirting boards in the kitchen, for whatever small beasts might lurk in the shadowy parts. It was there that I met … Continue reading Inktober 30/10/19: Catch
Inktober 29/10/19: Injured
(It's okay to have mixed feelings about this one. I do myself, which is why I'm adding a little clarification here for those who don't know me well. This is fiction which does not represent my own views. I am not an antivaxxer. I think they are 100% wrong about the facts. But I do … Continue reading Inktober 29/10/19: Injured
