Kia ora, everyone. I'm a gay and disabled Chicago-born and -raised, New Zealand-based writer. Currently, I'm working on a few different projects. First, I'm working on my first novel-in-progress Ordinary World, for which the New Zealand Society of Authors in conjunction with Creative New Zealand awarded me a full mentorship in 2022. I've applied for further funding for this this year, so fingers crossed. Second, I've started working on a book of personal essays around my disability, the dissociative disorder known as depersonalization -- I'm currently nearly fully in remission. Weirdly, it was AI that gave me the idea for this after it asked me for samples of my writing so gave it some blogs based around my journey with depersonalization. Third, I've been editing and further refining short stories I've written to finally submit them to journals and competitions for publishing. I've just sent three out in the last few weeks. I'm trying to do this while navigating full time work, battling my own personal and mental health issues, and bouncing back between New Zealand and Chicago -- my Mom has rapidly-progressing Alzheimer's disease -- and it has been challenging, especially as Ordinary World deals with grief and I'm actively going through anticipatory grief with my Mom. By joining this site, I'm hoping to gain inspiration, giving support to and gaining support from other writers, and perhaps some critiquing buddies and beta readers for when my novel (finally) is finished. (I have 134,000 words written; it's the structure giving me grief.) Thanks, everyone, and I look forward to engaging more with you all on this site. Ngā mihi, Scott
Hello and welcome to WF.org! Feel free to share your thoughts, your works (if you want to) and join in any threads you fancy!
Hello and welcome, Scoot. Please make yourself at home. Lots of great discussions to join in on. Feel free to start your own. Looking forward to seeing you in the forums!
