Sue
asked
Jennifer Ashley:
I really enjoyed reading the Mackenzie books. Mac is my favorite, but I loved all of them. My question is -- What influenced you to write Ian having Asperger's? I think he is one of the most intriguing characters I've ever read.
Jennifer Ashley
I've gotten several questions like this so I'll answer in one: I wrote Ian as having AS, mostly because I wondered how someone in a time when autism wasn't recognized would fare. It's hard enough to deal with it now; what would it have been like in Victorian Britain, when psychology and psychiatry were just beginning to be explored? (psychology was referred to as a branch of philosophy). I did much research into Asperger's Syndrome, which I assure you was heartbreaking.
How did I come up with Ian in particular? He simply walked into my head (whole family did), and was just himself. I had to watch him a long time before I realized he was autistic, and I needed to do some research! I could not get that man out of my head, and I thought--if I can't, perhaps other people won't be able to either. He keeps coming back in other stories. It's all his fault. :-)
How did I come up with Ian in particular? He simply walked into my head (whole family did), and was just himself. I had to watch him a long time before I realized he was autistic, and I needed to do some research! I could not get that man out of my head, and I thought--if I can't, perhaps other people won't be able to either. He keeps coming back in other stories. It's all his fault. :-)
More Answered Questions
Darvionne J Givhan
asked
Jennifer Ashley:
Hello, Ms. Ashley! I read the Riding Hard series of Riverbend and really enjoyed the individual stories and how all of the books are linked. Are there any plans to write on the women's stories that were left open at the end of Ray's books (his youngest sister and Karen)? Would love to see their stories told as well. But at any rate, thank you for an entertaining series!
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