It is an interesting experience writing about events that have actually happened to you, the author. I can see why some people choose to write books that are at least semi-autobiographical; it is a cathartic process. When I started this project including some real-life experiences was one of my aims. I intend to describe a mixture of the good, the bad, and even the mundane. Many authors believe that writing from personal experience adds a degree of authenticity to the work and I agree. When I wrote Eugenica, many of the experiences of the young characters were based on my own treatment at the hands of the medical fraternity. It is one of the prices you pay for having a very rare condition.

I find it curious that the first subject that I came to with this book was euthanasia, a topic that I have wanted to write about for some time. In first draft it went pretty well I thought. The argument will need more work, but then everything in first draft always needs more work. It all flowed very smoothly from my mind to the keyboard, however. The characters defined themselves as the conversation developed. I wanted to keep the tone positive. Euthanasia is one of those subjects that people often get very heated about. Many of the objections raised to it are based on a religion and fear. It is associated with suicide of course, and suicide is something of a taboo subject even in today’s world where the stigma of mental health has been recently challenged with some success. My own position on this subject is that a person who is in a competent state of mind should be able to decide both the date and manner of their own death when they are given a reason to consider it. I do not consider it suicide, at least not in the old judgemental fashion.

As the writing developed, I realised that I could also recount the story of how I met my wife. I love this tale, but I have to admit that it had a far greater impact on me than it did on her. I will be changing a few little points about it of course. In real life she made me wait eight years before going on a proper date with me; my book can’t take that long! Fortunately, as it is only ‘semi-autobiographical’ I do not feel constrained by reality!