
In 2022, with my writing partner Wen, I started penning Deadly Dough, our debut feature-length book in the Windy & Darling cosy mystery series. Fast forward to 2024, which finds us working on the third book, Horrid Herbs, due for release in early 2025.
Any creative collaboration can be a challenge. Two people won’t always be on the same page and finding common ground is often tiresome. But if we sit down and talk at length about our books’ arcs, the characters, their motivations, the settings and plots, etc, to a large extent, we can solve differences of opinion.
As The Wenark Green Collab, we have two clear clashes:
- Polar opposites
- Neurological issues
After a string of bizarre symptoms and medics calling her ‘a mystery’ for many years, an MS diagnosis in 2021 knocked Wen into a cocked hat. She thought walking, or using her hands and arms again, was for real, never mind write. With drive, determination, desire, and dedication, she keeps on keeping on, refusing to see herself as a diagnosis, despite unpredictable symptoms that come calling. With a massive lifestyle overhaul, and her usual optimism and humour, she manages this serious neurological condition with little fuss.
This year, I was diagnosed with two neuro conditions. Mild autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). While Wen knew something was amiss, she didn’t suspect MS. Conversely, I’d always had an inkling that Asperger’s Syndrome, now referred to as ASD, thrived within me.


For us both, mixed emotions. On one scale, relief that medics finally confirmed we each had ‘something.’ On the other, those somethings were now reality. For me, the slight possibility that maybe I didn’t have a neurodivergent condition had evaporated, and I did what I’ve always done. Got on with things.
So, how does the collaborative work? Wen says the major challenges with MS are dealing with fatigue, fluctuating energy levels, and pain, often bizarre shocks, tingles, and spasms. On a good day, she’s raring to go, maybe so hyped she forgets her condition, or that the MonSter is random and can strike anytime. To ease that possibility, she must pace herself and not venture beyond the point of fatigue, nor raise stress levels to a crazy high. MS and stress are mortal enemies. Resting both body and mind is paramount to avoid a day or several in bed, but Wen knows not to push. After being given a second chance, her creative passion refuses to tempt fate. She’s always dreamed of being an author and will strive, without being silly, to achieve commercial success.
My key challenge? I think differently and often need more time to think, process information, and act on my thoughts or we’ve discussed or planned. I’m set in my ways and don’t like change, which brings on stress leading to irrational anxiety. In the same way people have phobias about spiders and heights, where no amount of thinking prevents or stops it, I must wait for anxiety to subside before I can press on. Sometimes it’s mild, other times, severe. Mediation, fresh air, and valerian help somewhat. Again, it’s a case of trying to get on with it, and doing what I can to prevent or minimise the impact of an anxiety attack. I also have a terrible memory and easily forget. Having prolonged periods of no writing where there are character arcs to remember isn’t smart. Writing everything down is vital, whether on paper or digitally.



And now, back to the writing. I can get smothered in characters and their world, but I’m not a natural with dialogue, so let Wen work her magic. She’s a lexophile and nitpicker and proud to say so. I adopt caution when stepping on her verbal toes. One quality I love bringing to the table is satire and how to weave it into the story. When we sit down and discuss plots, Wen and I discuss what topical themes we’ll use. I feel our characters should bring a social commentary into the works, even if it’s subtle. Topical themes should run throughout. At the time of writing, the cost of living’s still a problem for many. Classism was a major theme in our feature-length debut, Deadly Dough and is one of many topics you’ll find in our books.
As a collaborative, we’re each other’s champion. With her sunny disposition and vivacity, Wen encourages and keeps me right and, despite our contrary nature, tells me I do the same. We endure many struggles, but somehow, The Wenark Green Collab works. Bring on the release of Horrid Herbs. There’s no stopping us.
That’s me away!
Ark




In 2022, with my writing partner Wen, I started penning Deadly Dough, our debut feature-length book in the Windy & Darling cosy mystery series. Fast forward to 2024, which finds us working on the third book, Horrid Herbs, due for release in early 2025.
Any creative collaboration can be a challenge. Two people won’t always be on the same page and finding common ground is often tiresome. But if we sit down and talk at length about our books’ arcs, the characters, their motivations, the settings and plots, etc, to a large extent, we can solve differences of opinion.
As The Wenark Green Collab, we have two clear clashes:
- Polar opposites
- Neurological issues
After a string of bizarre symptoms and medics calling her ‘a mystery’ for many years, an MS diagnosis in 2021 knocked Wen into a cocked hat. She thought walking, or using her hands and arms again, was for real, never mind write. With drive, determination, desire, and dedication, she keeps on keeping on, refusing to see herself as a diagnosis, despite unpredictable symptoms that come calling. With a massive lifestyle overhaul, and her usual optimism and humour, she manages this serious neurological condition with little fuss.
This year, I was diagnosed with two neuro conditions. Mild autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). While Wen knew something was amiss, she didn’t suspect MS. Conversely, I’d always had an inkling that Asperger’s Syndrome, now referred to as ASD, thrived within me.


For us both, mixed emotions. On one scale, relief that medics finally confirmed we each had ‘something.’ On the other, those somethings were now reality. For me, the slight possibility that maybe I didn’t have a neurodivergent condition had evaporated, and I did what I’ve always done. Got on with things.
So, how does the collaborative work? Wen says the major challenges with MS are dealing with fatigue, fluctuating energy levels, and pain, often bizarre shocks, tingles, and spasms. On a good day, she’s raring to go, maybe so hyped she forgets her condition, or that the MonSter is random and can strike anytime. To ease that possibility, she must pace herself and not venture beyond the point of fatigue, nor raise stress levels to a crazy high. MS and stress are mortal enemies. Resting both body and mind is paramount to avoid a day or several in bed, but Wen knows not to push. After being given a second chance, her creative passion refuses to tempt fate. She’s always dreamed of being an author and will strive, without being silly, to achieve commercial success.
My key challenge? I think differently and often need more time to think, process information, and act on my thoughts or we’ve discussed or planned. I’m set in my ways and don’t like change, which brings on stress leading to irrational anxiety. In the same way people have phobias about spiders and heights, where no amount of thinking prevents or stops it, I must wait for anxiety to subside before I can press on. Sometimes it’s mild, other times, severe. Mediation, fresh air, and valerian help somewhat. Again, it’s a case of trying to get on with it, and doing what I can to prevent or minimise the impact of an anxiety attack. I also have a terrible memory and easily forget. Having prolonged periods of no writing where there are character arcs to remember isn’t smart. Writing everything down is vital, whether on paper or digitally.



And now, back to the writing. I can get smothered in characters and their world, but I’m not a natural with dialogue, so let Wen work her magic. She’s a lexophile and nitpicker and proud to say so. I adopt caution when stepping on her verbal toes. One quality I love bringing to the table is satire and how to weave it into the story. When we sit down and discuss plots, Wen and I discuss what topical themes we’ll use. I feel our characters should bring a social commentary into the works, even if it’s subtle. Topical themes should run throughout. At the time of writing, the cost of living’s still a problem for many. Classism was a major theme in our feature-length debut, Deadly Dough and is one of many topics you’ll find in our books.
As a collaborative, we’re each other’s champion. With her sunny disposition and vivacity, Wen encourages and keeps me right and, despite our contrary nature, tells me I do the same. We endure many struggles, but somehow, The Wenark Green Collab works. Bring on the release of Horrid Herbs. There’s no stopping us.
That’s me away!
Ark


