Autism Fact:  People with autism are more likely to be the victims of violence than committing a violent act.

April is Autism Awareness Month and it’s always an honour to take part. This year the theme is hopes and dreams, which is another great topic and one we don’t reflect on enough. I usually only take stock of which goals I’d like to achieve around the new year, not really as a resolution, but more of a ‘am I going in the direction I want/need to be going’ kind of way.

I am truly lucky that I have my dream job – and I know this. I don’t take it for granted, and I work incredibly hard trying to produce the best books I can. I recognise not many people have the privilege of saying they live their dreams. And the one thing I’m trying to instil in my kids, is to do something they love when they leave school.

Not easy, I know.

In today’s world, most of us have to do whatever puts food on the table. I get that. I did that, for many years. And like all parents, I’d love to save my kids from doing that. My kids are nearing the end of their schooling (a few years to go) but there’s pressure on them to pick a career path. I tell them not to stress, after all, I didn’t fall into my writing career wholeheartedly until I was in my thirties.

To a fourteen and fifteen year old, that’s as good as ancient. LOL

But by the same token, I have to wonder which path I’d be on if I’d have found my true passion at their age. I’d always love reading and writing but had no idea it would be dream career. So if I could point my kids in the right direction now, to save them twenty years of jobs they hate, then I absolutely will. I can’t make the decision for them, all I can do is tell them not to choose a career focused on the money, instead focus on the love of what you want to do.

It can be my wish and hope, but it needs to be their dream and doing.

CONTEST:

For your chance to win any book title of mine (winner’s choice) answer me this: if you could tell your fifteen year old self one word advice, what would it be?

Mine would be to start writing earlier.

(I normally have comments closed on my blog, but I will be opening them up for this contest)  Please comment below.

That’s it for the Autism Awareness post. To check out the original, you can find it at RJ Scott’s site:  http://rjscott.co.uk/autism-awareness-month-2018

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In case you’re not aware, or if you’ve been under a rock this last week, you might have missed my latest release!  Evolved is a little bit sci-fi, a lot romance, and so much fun!

BUYLINK

In 2068, androids are an integrated part of human life. Big Brother no longer just watches from the shadows. It’s in every household. 

Lloyd Salter has OCD issues with noise and mess, and he’s uncomfortable with human interaction. When his ex claimed the only thing perfect enough to live up to his standards was an android, Lloyd dismissed it. But two years later, after much self-assessment, he thinks he may have been right.

SATinc is the largest manufacturer of androids in Australia, including the Fully Compatible Units known as an A-Class 10. Their latest design is the Synthetic Human Android UNit, otherwise known as SHAUN.

Shaun is compatible to Lloyd’s every need; the perfect fit on an intellectual and physical basis. But Lloyd soon realises Shaun’s not like other A-Class androids. He learns. He adapts. Sure that SATinc is aware Shaun functions outside of his programmed parameters, Lloyd must find a way to keep Shaun safe.

No one can know how special Shaun is. No one can know he’s evolved.