Northcote writer Susan White releases debut young adult novel

A clinical geneticist has drawn on her experiences working with children diagnosed with genetic diseases — as well as her own awkward teenage years — for her debut novel, Take the Shot.

Dr Susan White works at the Victorian Clinical Genetics Services.

A genetic scientist with a flair for the creative has set out to teach children to celebrate their differences.

Clinical geneticist Susan White spends her days at the Royal Children’s Hospital, working with families and children with a genetic disease.

But her early mornings are spent writing and she has poured her work into her debut novel Take the Shot.

In the book 14-year-old Bug balances living as a teenager with a rare genetic condition.

The book, follows Bug, a 14-year-old, basketball-obsessed boy whose life is turned upside down when he is diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Marfan’s Syndrome.

While White does not have a genetic disease, she said it was easy to draw on her insecurities as a teenager to help identify with the character.

“The things I was self conscious about as a teenager was having red hair and freckles,” she said.

“It’s more (about) my own teenagehood rather than perhaps my patient’s direct experience.”

Ms White said while there weren’t many people in Bug’s shoes, the story would resonate with any teenager who feels the need to fit in.

“There’s no time in your life where it seems more important to fit in than in your teenage years,” she said.

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“There’s something very liberating when you realise you can’t do anything about it and maybe it’s not a bad thing to be different.”

The Northcote writer set part of her novel in Fairfield, and everyone’s favourite giant dog sculpture FIDO makes a guest appearance.

For more information visit Affirm Press publishing.

@richardapearce