Waiting Until the End

First, I want to thank every single reader who has provided input and feedback on my first novel. I read every single one and take every single point into consideration as I work towards completion of the Dryburgh Chronicles Part 2.

Recently, I have had a number of ARC readers question the decision to not disclose Lilian as Neuro-divergent until the end, and while I realize this may create some frustration for the readers, I feel that I owe an explanation for this decision.

Not disclosing Lilian as Neurodivergent until the end was entirely intentional.

Why may you ask?

While the book is written to be a quick and easy read my motive for not revealing the diagnosis to the end was one of the more complex decisions I made while writing this book.

There are times throughout the book where Lilian behaves in a way that could be seen as socially unacceptable. For anyone reading it who may not be familiar with the behaviours of someone on the spectrum it may lead to strong feelings of dislike and frustration with Lilian and that is quite honestly the point.

As a neurodivergent person who was diagnosed so late in life, I am INCREDIBLY good at masking in most social situations, but that also creates severe side effects for me, including exhaustion, depression and severe anxiety. Despite the ability to mask, there are also times when that mask just falls away and I am unable to control my response to things in a way that would be considered "normal." Now that I am able to reflect on the moments in my life where my behaviour would be seen as inappropriate, rude, childish or "out of character." (Cue memories of a full fledged, throw myself on the ground temper tantrum that my parents probably remember as well as I do) I now recognize that these behaviours are VERY challenging for neurotypical people to understand. They can be off putting, frustrating, and sometimes make the person resentful of the one behaving in a way they believe to be inappropriate.

In choosing to withhold Lilian’s neurodivergent identity until the end, I aimed to challenge readers to confront their own biases and assumptions about behavior that may seem unconventional. By allowing readers to experience the frustration or discomfort that often arises when someone doesn’t conform to social norms, my hope is that they will reflect on how quick we can be to judge others without understanding their unique perspectives.


This approach mirrors the experience of many neurodivergent individuals who often navigate a world that misunderstands or misjudges their actions. It’s easy to label behavior as inappropriate when we don’t know the full story, but once we understand the underlying reasons, our perceptions can change drastically.


Ultimately, this book is not just a story—it’s an invitation to rethink how we interpret and respond to the behaviors of those around us. By holding off on revealing Lilian’s diagnosis, I hoped to create a space where readers could question their initial reactions and, in doing so, develop a deeper empathy for those who may experience the world differently.


Understanding neurodivergence requires patience, open-mindedness, and a willingness to see beyond the surface. It’s my hope that this story helps foster that understanding and encourages a more compassionate approach to those who walk a different path.