Beyond Boundaries: the Power of Sports and Autistic Inclusion in the Lakeside Adventures

As we reach the end of the journey for the Lakeside Adventures, I can't help but reflect on the incredible experience of writing this series. It was not only the first series I ever completed and published but also a personal milestone that taught me so much about writing and the creative process. The two years I spent writing the series were filled with passion and excitement, but also countless challenges and moments of growth.

There's a saying that every written work contains a piece of the author, and this couldn't be more true for the Lakeside Adventures. The characters enjoy my favorite card games and indulge in my favorite meals. Many of their traits are reflections of my own childhood experiences. For instance, Calla's family is passionate about soccer, Marissa shares a close bond with her father, Ferni loves Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture and battles with asthma, and Ken is a theater enthusiast who enjoys card games with his siblings.

Perhaps the most significant personal aspect of the series is James's autism. Inspired by Toni Morrison's words about writing the books we wish we could have read, I wanted to create a story in which a character with autism was portrayed as a hero, without their condition being the focus of the story. By mentioning James's autism only once in the first book and subtly including character traits that fellow autistic people might recognize, I aimed to inspire young readers with autism to believe that they too can save the world.

Another major theme in the series is the importance of sports. Instead of inventing fictional sports, I incorporated Battle Magic as a stand-in for sports, challenging the students to master complex physical skills and work together in a dynamic environment to overcome various obstacles. These Battle Magic engagements allowed me to stretch my creative boundaries and explore different scenarios, from underwater battles to fighting hordes of zombies.

Abilo Guimaraes, the Brazilian Battle Magic instructor and retired government assassin, was one of my favorite characters to develop. I wanted him to be both intimidating and highly respected, while also being a good teacher who uses positive feedback and peer modeling to engage his students. Drawing from my twenty years of coaching soccer and the excellent coaches I had the opportunity to work with and observe, I tried to model Guimaraes after them.

Looking back, I never set out to intentionally develop the themes of autism and sports in the series. However, as they are significant facets of my life, it's no surprise they found their way into the story. I'm proud of how the series represents autism and the central role that sport, through the lens of Battle Magic, plays in the narrative. In both aspects, I feel that I have written the book I wish I could have read as a child.

The Lakeside Adventures has been a labor of love, a reflection of my own experiences, and an exploration of the themes close to my heart. As we bid farewell to this magical world, I hope the series continues to resonate with readers and inspire them to discover their own inner heroes.