Ask the Author: Sharon A. Mitchell
Answered Questions (9)
Sharon A. Mitchell
What would lead a mom to put her family's finances in the hands of a 13 year old?
Sharon A. Mitchell
The first thing that comes to my mind is that I would NOT want to travel to Zoya, the universe in Kate Sanders books (https://www.amazon.com/Pulse-Book-One...). Too much going on there and I prefer to keep my pulse within a healthier range. Virgin River from Robyn Carr's series sounds safer and far more pleasant, as well as being a beautiful part of the world.
Sharon A. Mitchell
Phoenix (Beatrix Rose) by Mark Dawson
Sharon A. Mitchell
First, I'm passionate about kids with autism, their families and teachers. I spend time daily in this field, even when on vacation. So, it was easy to combine writing and autism.
Also, I heard so very often from parents and teachers that by the end of the day they were just too exhausted to read textbooks or search the internet for ways to understand and help their kids who were affected by autism. That's where the idea came from to write easy-to-read books that provided insight and showed strategies at play at home and at school.
Initially, it was scary. But after the first rough draft, I was hooked on just how much fun it is to write a novel. VERY different than the academic writing I was used to and even different than the magazine article writing I used to do.
It's mid-September as I write this and I'm excited because in just six weeks, National Novel Writing Month begins and I'll write my next draft. Check out www.nanowrimo.org if you're interested in trying this way of diving into writing.
Also, I heard so very often from parents and teachers that by the end of the day they were just too exhausted to read textbooks or search the internet for ways to understand and help their kids who were affected by autism. That's where the idea came from to write easy-to-read books that provided insight and showed strategies at play at home and at school.
Initially, it was scary. But after the first rough draft, I was hooked on just how much fun it is to write a novel. VERY different than the academic writing I was used to and even different than the magazine article writing I used to do.
It's mid-September as I write this and I'm excited because in just six weeks, National Novel Writing Month begins and I'll write my next draft. Check out www.nanowrimo.org if you're interested in trying this way of diving into writing.
Sharon A. Mitchell
Just do it. Then, do it some more.
Like everything else, writing gets easier with practice. Over time, I've found that the words flow more easily and that the rough drafts are less rough.
If you'd like to give it a try, consider signing up for National Novel Writing Month. It's free at www.nanowrimo.org and November is the big event. You'll find lots of advice and support on the site.
Like everything else, writing gets easier with practice. Over time, I've found that the words flow more easily and that the rough drafts are less rough.
If you'd like to give it a try, consider signing up for National Novel Writing Month. It's free at www.nanowrimo.org and November is the big event. You'll find lots of advice and support on the site.
Sharon A. Mitchell
It's fun. When I'm writing and on a roll, the ideas fly faster than my fingers can capture them. Hours will roll by unnoticed as I live inside the characters.
I have a PhD and teach university courses, so I'm used to academic writing. Writing a novel is much more fun, because I get to make things up as I go along.
And, it's such a delight when readers come along with me. Only second to the writing itself is the enjoyment I get from corresponding with readers.
I have a PhD and teach university courses, so I'm used to academic writing. Writing a novel is much more fun, because I get to make things up as I go along.
And, it's such a delight when readers come along with me. Only second to the writing itself is the enjoyment I get from corresponding with readers.
Sharon A. Mitchell
From readers.
My most recently published book is "Autism Grows Up". Kids with autism don't stay kids and, just as the initial diagnosis time is scary for parents, so is the time when they contemplate their child leaving school. For kids who need a lot of support, often there are agencies to help. But for many high functioning young people, there are no services. It is assumed that these youth will be independent and move on to college or the world of work. All too often this just doesn't happen, at least not without a lot of advance planning. Sadly, far, far too many become "basement dwellers".
Isn't it frightening to think that only around 10% of young adults with Asperger's or high functioning autism are able to lead independent lives?
Questions from readers and conversations with parents sparked the idea for "Autism Grows Up".
My most recently published book is "Autism Grows Up". Kids with autism don't stay kids and, just as the initial diagnosis time is scary for parents, so is the time when they contemplate their child leaving school. For kids who need a lot of support, often there are agencies to help. But for many high functioning young people, there are no services. It is assumed that these youth will be independent and move on to college or the world of work. All too often this just doesn't happen, at least not without a lot of advance planning. Sadly, far, far too many become "basement dwellers".
Isn't it frightening to think that only around 10% of young adults with Asperger's or high functioning autism are able to lead independent lives?
Questions from readers and conversations with parents sparked the idea for "Autism Grows Up".
Sharon A. Mitchell
I have two works on the go now and both are ideas that came from readers. The first is a nonfiction book, "The Autism Goes to School Workbook", meant as a companion workbook for the novel "Autism Goes to School".
Readers who followed Ben and Kyle’s journey in Autism Goes to School have said that they would like a guide to help them follow the strategies that Ben and Kyle try. Of course, not every strategy works for everyone. Remember that once you’ve met a child with autism, you have met one child with autism. While we’re all unique, there is often a core cluster of characteristics that kids on the spectrum share.
The workbook looks at the things Ben did right and the mistakes he made, despite his good intentions. It looks at Kyle’s responses, and then guides you to consider how your child with autism might respond.
There is space to profile your son, daughter or student’s strengths and the areas that pose the most challenge right now.
The guide will help you look at the sensory issues that might contribute to the difficulties and ways to help. It discusses the communicative aspect of behavior and how you can help the child better express his wants and needs in appropriate ways. A self-regulated child is a calmer, happier child.
There are examples of visuals and schedules and space to create your own. And, there is an extensive list of references that will help you guide your child to be as independent as he can be.
The Autism Goes to School Workbook will be available on Amazon in 2017.
My next project is a prequel to "Autism Goes to School". Readers have asked about Jeff and Mel's earlier lives, so we'll see what we can learn about them. Publication will be in late 2017.
Readers who followed Ben and Kyle’s journey in Autism Goes to School have said that they would like a guide to help them follow the strategies that Ben and Kyle try. Of course, not every strategy works for everyone. Remember that once you’ve met a child with autism, you have met one child with autism. While we’re all unique, there is often a core cluster of characteristics that kids on the spectrum share.
The workbook looks at the things Ben did right and the mistakes he made, despite his good intentions. It looks at Kyle’s responses, and then guides you to consider how your child with autism might respond.
There is space to profile your son, daughter or student’s strengths and the areas that pose the most challenge right now.
The guide will help you look at the sensory issues that might contribute to the difficulties and ways to help. It discusses the communicative aspect of behavior and how you can help the child better express his wants and needs in appropriate ways. A self-regulated child is a calmer, happier child.
There are examples of visuals and schedules and space to create your own. And, there is an extensive list of references that will help you guide your child to be as independent as he can be.
The Autism Goes to School Workbook will be available on Amazon in 2017.
My next project is a prequel to "Autism Goes to School". Readers have asked about Jeff and Mel's earlier lives, so we'll see what we can learn about them. Publication will be in late 2017.
Sharon A. Mitchell
I don't have writer's block. I work best under the pressure of deadlines, so I write my first drafts during NaNoWriMo or Camp WriMo. In case you're not familiar with it, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. Every November, hundreds of thousands of people around the world sign up and commit to writing a 50,000 novel during that month. To complete the challenge in 30 days means writing about 1,700 words per day. That works for me. But, the editing process is MUCH slower and all NaNo gives me are the bare bones of s story that requires a lot more work.
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