The Story She Needed as a Kid: Jennifer Dickinson on Writing a Young Girl Who Stutters

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Maya talks with fiction writer and teacher Jennifer Dickinson about her new middle grade novel featuring a young girl who stutters. Jennifer shares how her own experiences growing up with a stutter shaped the story, including memories of bullying, lost friendships, and the loneliness she felt during middle school.The conversation looks at how storytelling can transform difficult experiences into something meaningful. Jennifer reflects on how writing the book allowed her to revisit a painful time in her life and create a story where a young girl who stutters is supported by friends, teachers, and community. Maya and Jennifer also discuss the need for more representation of people who stutter in books, television, and film, and how visibility can help shift public understanding.Jennifer also talks about discovering writing at a young age, working in theater, and building a career as a fiction writer and book coach. She shares how long it took to bring the book to life and why she stayed committed to the story. At the center of the episode is Jennifer’s hope that young readers who stutter will see themselves in the book and feel encouraged to take risks, express themselves creatively, and pursue what they love.Links & ResourcesMarch 17 SXSW eventYou can add that MAGGIE'S BIG BREAK by Jennifer Dickinson will be released on April 30, 2026, and listeners can pre-order it now on Amazon or Bookshop.org. Amazon: amazon.com/Maggies-Big-Break-Jennifer-Dickinson/dp/1949983234/Bookshop.org: bookshop.org/p/books/maggie-s-big-break-jennifer-dickinson/6c6924a4a5fe7305-----Big thanks to Proud Stutter's recurring supporters: Jennifer Bolen, Jerry Slaff, Josh Compton, Pablo Meza, Alexandra Mosby, Ingo Helbig, Jonathan Reiss, Jason Smith, Paige McGill, Wayne Engebretson, Swathy Manavalan, and Martha Horrocks.If you can become a monthly donor at $10 or more, we’ll give you access to ad-free episodes and bonus Proud Stutter+ content as a token of our thanks! Make your tax deductible gift here. Proud Stutter is proudly fiscally sponsor