The Origin Story

For me, storytelling has always been about building worlds—not just for the sake of adventure, but as a way to create something meaningful, something that helps make sense of life’s unpredictability. I've always been a fan of science fiction and fantasy novels, from The Hobbit to Harry Potter, Ender's Game to Red Rising to He Who Fights With Monsters.  If there is an element of magic, a journey to distant worlds, and a spark of the unknown wrapped in an adventure, I'm hooked. 

As a parent, I’ve spent years crafting stories for my kids, weaving magic, history, and intricate worlds around their bedtime routines, long car rides, and moments when they just needed a little escape. Our family also has a nightly dinner tradition of asking 'The Question of the Day,' a simple and fun conversation starter that sparks creative thinking around the table.  Late in 2024, one of the questions took root in my brain and wouldn't let go: "What would you do if magic became real?" I couldn't let go of amazing ideas for how the world would transform, both physically in the world around us and in how we live our daily lives.

With a thousand ideas rushing about my head, I began to sketch ideas into my notebook. Those sketches turned into some story prompts, which evolved into the Spectralux: Convergence short stories. One story line began to grow into something more. Characters were born, the world took shape, and the main story line of Spectralux came to life.

Why This Book?

And what even is a Neurodivergent, Middle Grade, LitRPG Fantasy Novel?

Every kid is a little bit different. But not everyone is well represented in the books they read. Nor are the stories written in a way that resonates with the way they think. 

A LitRPG (Literary Role Playing Game) novel is a story that blends traditional fantasy or science fiction storytelling with elements of adventure games—think quests, stats, abilities, and progression systems. It’s a genre where the magic and mechanics of a game world are as much a part of the story as the characters themselves. This genre has taken off in recent years, but it has been slow to see growth in Middle Grade or Young Adult fiction.

At its heart, a system (like the ones found in a LitRPG) provides a framework. In life, when things feel uncertain or overwhelming, a clear structure can be grounding. We all face moments where change feels too big, where chaos threatens to take over. A well-defined system gives us tools to adapt, be it in a game, a story, or real life. We might not control everything, but we can track our progress, set small goals, and level up at our own pace.

Whether kids have social anxiety, ADHD like Penn,  ASD like Cate, or are just dealing with growing pains of growing up, this kind of structure can be especially powerful. When the world feels overwhelming, knowing there are rules, mechanics, and predictable patterns in a story can be a source of comfort. 

I chose to write Spectralux as a way to share stories in a way that make sense to kids who may think a little different in a setting that feeds their creative spark. My hope is that combining these elements can help kids everywhere find a roadmap for resilience, a way to navigate challenges, process emotions, and see themselves as capable heroes in their own stories. They don’t need to change who or what they are. What makes them different and unique isn’t a negative. It can be their own magical super power.

About the Author