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#adhd writers
neurodiversitysci · 6 months
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Found: A Blog Post About ADHD Readers, ADHD Writers, and Conflicting Access Needs
Why People With ADHD Write Such Long Posts (and Also Have Trouble Reading Them)
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
I'm pretty sure this blog post was inspired by Tumblr...
...Certainly, many people here should read it.
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moonandris · 1 month
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Challenging myself to write a high fantasy novel in a month, even if I have to force myself to write absolute dogshit and edit it later. If any of y'all have any tips for ADHD writers to stay focused and on task, and maybe not dread the thought of a schedule, I'm all ears. ♡
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rawr-gorg-smash · 2 years
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Shoutout to all of the ADHD people who simultaneously cannot focus on reading walls of text while also being unable to write anything except as a wall of text.
Neurotyps will never know the exquisite irony of simultaneous desperation to communicate with kindred souls juxtaposed with a complete loss of perspective on writing form, as we are compelled to share the marvelous fruits stemming from the many branches of the mystical Tree of Hyperfocus.
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chimivx · 10 months
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omg i just saw your post about writing with adhd (i also have adhd and am unmedicated) and not being able to write for long periods and i fully relate!! i used to be able to sit and power through 10-15k in one sitting college was a wild time and now its a fucking miracle if I get 500 words a day. and its not an issue (for me) with inspiration or anything I just cant seem to quite get into the flow.
after a lot of trial and error, i have found though that writing at certain times is much better for me, like writing at night I generally can get like 1-2k written pretty easily, but trying to write mid-day (despite having all the time in the world) is nearly impossible. but my fellow writer friend with adhd has to write first thing in the morning or else she can't write at all for the rest of the day.
also, for me and my adhd, its in part about setting up a routine but also if the routine is too rigid i won't do anything??? and also minimizing distractions but at the same time, giving myself something outside of writing to absently listen to. i also have a fellow fic writer friend who i send my progress to every saturday so i get consistent serotonin from the feedback cycle.
but most of all!! be kind and patient with yourself!! writing is taxing on your brain and sometimes you just dont have the spoons for it, and thats okay!! i hope any of this is helpful 🖤
(ps this is @rapline-heaux i can only send asks from my main lol)
Ugh, I knew I loved you.
Thank you so much for this it makes PERFECT sense. I was truly wondering if I just needed a break, like if I should stop pushing myself to the point of burnout- and then you said the spoons thing and UGH! It checks out.
I always try to write when inspiration strikes, so it varies when I get to sit down and do it. But, maybe I do need to figure out when my ‘prime time’ is to maximize what I’m able to create…
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond & leave me this message. It means a lot to know I’m not the only one who deals with this 😭💜
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blue-kyber · 2 years
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There's a lot that couldn't fit into this video, but you get the picture. :)
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burntoutdaydreamer · 6 months
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Things That May Be Causing Your Writer's Block- and How to Beat Them
I don't like the term 'Writer's Block' - not because it isn't real, but because the term is so vague that it's useless. Hundreds of issues all get lumped together under this one umbrella, making writer's block seem like this all-powerful boogeyman that's impossible to beat. Worse yet, it leaves people giving and receiving advice that is completely ineffective because people often don't realize they're talking about entirely different issues.
In my experience, the key to beating writer's block is figuring out what the block even is, so I put together a list of Actual Reasons why you may be struggling to write:
(note that any case of writer's block is usually a mix of two or more)
Perfectionism (most common)
What it looks like:
You write one sentence and spend the next hour googling "synonyms for ___"
Write. Erase. Write. Rewrite. Erase.
Should I even start writing this scene when I haven't figured out this one specific detail yet?
I hate everything I write
Cringing while writing
My first draft must be perfect, or else I'm a terrible writer
Things that can help:
Give yourself permission to suck
Keep in mind that nothing you write is going to be perfect, especially your first draft
Think of writing your first/early drafts not as writing, but sketching out a loose foundation to build upon later
People write multiple drafts for a reason: write now, edit later
Stop googling synonyms and save that for editing
Write with a pen to reduce temptation to erase
Embrace leaving blank spaces in your writing when you can't think of the right word, name, or detail
It's okay if your writing sucks. We all suck at some point. Embrace the growth mindset, and focus on getting words on a page
Lack of inspiration (easiest to fix)
What it looks like:
Head empty, no ideas
What do I even write about???
I don't have a plot, I just have an image
Want to write but no story to write
Things that can help:
Google writing prompts
If writing prompts aren't your thing, instead try thinking about what kind of tropes/genres/story elements you would like to try out
Instead of thinking about the story you would like to write, think about the story you would like to read, and write that
It's okay if you don't have a fully fleshed out story idea. Even if it's just an image or a line of dialogue, it's okay to write that. A story may or may not come out of it, but at least you got the creative juices flowing
Stop writing. Step away from your desk and let yourself naturally get inspired. Go for a walk, read a book, travel, play video games, research history, etc. Don't force ideas, but do open up your mind to them
If you're like me, world-building may come more naturally than plotting. Design the world first and let the story come later
Boredom/Understimulation (lost the flow)
What it looks like:
I know I should be writing but uugggghhhh I just can'tttttt
Writing words feels like pulling teeth
I started writing, but then I got bored/distracted
I enjoy the idea of writing, but the actual process makes me want to throw my laptop out the window
Things that can help:
Introduce stimulation: snacks, beverages, gum, music such as lo-fi, blankets, decorate your writing space, get a clickity-clackity keyboard, etc.
Add variety: write in a new location, try a new idea/different story for a day or so, switch up how you write (pen and paper vs. computer) or try voice recording or speech-to-text
Gamify writing: create an arbitrary challenge, such as trying to see how many words you can write in a set time and try to beat your high score
Find a writing buddy or join a writer's group
Give yourself a reward for every writing milestone, even if it's just writing a paragraph
Ask yourself whether this project you're working on is something you really want to be doing, and be honest with your answer
Intimidation/Procrastination (often related to perfectionism, but not always)
What it looks like:
I was feeling really motivated to write, but then I opened my laptop
I don't even know where to start
I love writing, but I can never seem to get started
I'll write tomorrow. I mean next week. Next month? Next month, I swear (doesn't write next month)
Can't find the time or energy
Unreasonable expectations (I should be able to write 10,000 words a day, right????)
Feeling discouraged and wondering why I'm even trying
Things that can help:
Follow the 2 min rule (or the 1 paragraph rule, which works better for me): whenever you sit down to write, tell yourself that you are only going to write for 2 minutes. If you feel like continuing once the 2 mins are up, go for it! Otherwise, stop. Force yourself to start but DO NOT force yourself to continue unless you feel like it. The more often you do this, the easier it will be to get started
Make getting started as easy as possible (i.e. minimize barriers: if getting up to get a notebook is stopping you from getting started, then write in the notes app of your phone)
Commit to a routine that will work for you. Baby steps are important here. Go with something that feels reasonable: every day, every other day, once a week, twice a week, and use cues to help you remember to start. If you chose a set time to write, just make sure that it's a time that feels natural to you- i.e. don't force yourself to writing at 9am every morning if you're not a morning person
Find a friend or a writing buddy you can trust and talk it out or share a piece of work you're proud of. Sometimes we just get a bit bogged down by criticism- either internal or external- and need a few words of encouragement
The Problem's Not You, It's Your Story (or Outline (or Process))
What it looks like:
I have no problems writing other scenes, it's just this scene
I started writing, but now I have no idea where I'm going
I don't think I'm doing this right
What's an outline?
Drowning in documents
This. Doesn't. Make. Sense. How do I get from this plot point to this one?!?!?! (this ColeyDoesThings quote lives in my head rent free cause BOY have I been there)
Things That Can Help:
Go back to the drawing board. Really try to get at the root of why a scene or story isn't working
A part of growing as a writer is learning when to kill your darlings. Sometimes you're trying to force an idea or scene that just doesn't work and you need to let it go
If you don't have an outline, write one
If you have an outline and it isn't working, rewrite it, or look up different ways to structure it
You may be trying to write as a pantser when you're really a plotter or vice versa. Experiment with different writing processes and see what feels most natural
Study story structures, starting with the three act structure. Even if you don't use them, you should know them
Check out Ellen Brock on YouTube. She's a professional novel editor who has a lot of advice on writing strategies for different types of writers
Also check out Savage Books on YouTube (another professional story editor) for advice on story structure and dialogue. Seriously, I cannot recommend this guy enough
Executive Dysfunction, Usually From ADHD/Autism
What it looks like:
Everything in boredom/understimulation
Everything in intimidation/procrastination
You have been diagnosed with and/or have symptoms of ADHD/Autism
Things that can help:
If you haven't already, seek a diagnosis or professional treatment
Hire an ADHD coach or other specialist that can help you work with your brain (I use Shimmer; feel free to DM me for a referral)
Seek out neurodiverse communities for advice and support
Try body doubling! There's lot's of free online body doubling websites out there for you to try. If social anxiety is a barrier, start out with writing streams such as katecavanaughwrites on Twitch
Be aware of any sensory barriers that may be getting in the way of you writing (such as an uncomfortable desk chair, harsh lighting, bad sounds)
And Lastly, Burnout, Depression, or Other Mental Illness
What it looks like:
You have symptoms of burnout or depression
Struggling with all things, not just writing
It's more than a lack of inspiration- the spark is just dead
Things that can help:
Forget writing for now. Focus on healing first.
Seek professional help
If you feel like it, use writing as a way to explore your feelings. It can take the form of journaling, poetry, an abstract reflection of your thoughts, narrative essays, or exploring what you're feeling through your fictional characters. The last two helped me rediscover my love of writing after I thought years of depression had killed it for good. Just don't force yourself to do so, and stop if it takes you to a darker place instead of feeling cathartic
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mabhsavage · 6 months
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#MondayBlogs – Starting Over
I used to regularly get a blog out on a Monday, joining in with the #MondayBlogs trend started over on BadRedhead Media. This trend became very popular on Twitter (Xitter??) and continues to this day, yet I noticed that I haven’t been joining in as much. In fact, this is my first personal blog since April. Wow. How did I lose five months or more? Nearly half a year of only writing for work,…
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caseywond3r · 2 years
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hey guys so apparently this is a thing a lot of people don't realise but like. if you have had writer's block/ art block for like. six months. a year. two years. that's maybe not a block. that's maybe depression. and you should maybe look into treating the source of the problem instead of just beating yourself up for not being able to write/draw. be kind to yourself and know that your struggle to create isn't based in laziness or a lack of skill or talent.
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manincaffeine · 3 months
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I need an unholy, inappropriate touching makeout session with someone
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buglover77 · 9 months
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“The best thing for autism representation is to have multiple autistic characters so there’s a display of autism as a spectrum affecting people differently” “we need better autism representation” “I wish there were more characters that are audhd” my brother in christ, the teenage mutant ninja turtles are RIGHT THERE
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yasemin-writes · 1 year
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Neurotypical writers giving advice: Be realistic with your goals. Try to outline or write a little every day. Refill the well. Get yourself a cup of tea and write for 30 minutes until the tea is empty. Check in daily with your accountability buddies for the next three to six months.
ADHD writers giving advice: Put on a movie that matches the tone of your novel to kickstart your dopamine and get into hyperfocus, then put a song on loop on noise-cancelling headphones, livestream your writing session so you feel watched and owe someone accountability, and write as much as you can for as long as you can. Don't forget to eat, sleep or drink. Now go write that novel in 5 days.
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thebibliosphere · 8 months
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Hm. I'm rereading something I wrote, and I can't decide if it's going to be infuriating for some readers, or if there will be more going "OH, same!"
Given that my readership is largely in the Autistic 🤝ADHD vampire fan club (Vlad), I'm hoping it'll be the latter, but it's still making me hesitate because it's not how people expect sex scenes to read.
Everything's usually boiled down to a laser-focused precision of sensations and evocative, heated language -- and that does eventually happen with this. You just have to get past Vlad's brain wandering around for a bit because while Nathan's doing a good job of getting his attention in the moment, he's not being consistent, and it's giving Vlad's brain time to wander. Like noticing that Nathan squints a bit when he reads. ("(Hyperopia, Vlad’s brain supplied helpfully before he could smother it.)") Or just generally having full-on conversations in his head in the downtimes between stimulation -- and by downtime, I mean the split second it takes for Nathan to grab something from the nightstand.
Another part of me worries people will think I'm playing to stereotypes or I'm hamming it up to be "quirky," but given my brain is the epitome of the "hyper 8-year-old boy who can't sit still shiny disorder" despite being a 36yo cis woman, I've pretty much resigned myself to some people calling Vlad a stereotype anyway.
A larger part of me just... kind of really wants to see this kind of thing in a sex scene. I want to see my own thought patterns and acknowledge that even when you're getting hot and heavy with someone -- arguably an act that should consume all of your attention -- you'll still find your mind wandering. You'll notice something out the corner of your eye and go, "fucking shit, laundry, do not forget, do not forget" (and then you'll forget), or you'll be about to go down on someone, and the dick joke your friend told you three months ago will pop into your head and suddenly you're snickering with no tactful way to explain it.
(This is another thing that I always think is sorely lacking in sex scenes. No one's messy. No one's laughing like an idiot because they just thumped their head into the headboard, or a joke just popped into their head. Or someone's body made a fart sound because there's lube in places and things are thrusting. Like, maybe it's me, maybe I'm weird, but I think those are the moments you can build real romance out of. Not necessarily erotica, because those things (supposedly) aren't sexy, but there's so much emotion you can show with partners who are able to laugh with each other in those moments. You can show so much love and reverence through the mundane it hurts.)
It'd just be nice, for once, to have the character be absolved of the guilt that often happens in those moments because you're supposed to be focusing on what is happening, and your idiot brain just won't shut up.
Ultimately, it doesn't matter too much. It's a short story I'm hoping to fling out at some point (as soon as my idiot brain shuts up and lets me finish it). But it feels more important than it actually is because it feels like I'm exposing a major part of my psyche. Like pinning down all the ugly parts of my brain that can't ever actually be pinned down, no matter how much I try.
idk. Words. Things. Stuff. I'm going to try and finish this and then see what I want to do with it.
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moonysreid · 2 months
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ever read a fic and get the sudden urge to comment in all caps about how much you love it?? but you don’t want the writer to think you’re absolutely crazy..
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chimivx · 10 months
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feeling curious about something and wondering if it just my adhd messing with me.
i cannot sit and write for long periods of time anymore, or keep my drive/inspo going long enough and i wonder if any other writers can understand.
i read something somewhere that said something along the lines of - "a writer doesn't need to be inspired, writers block doesnt exist, a writer just writes" - and i don't know if i whole heartedly believe that?
i'm just wondering if anyone else can relate because i am hitting some sort of wall and i don't know what to do about it. i'm getting frustrated with myself because of the above quote, and i'm kinda like... why the hell can't i just do it!?
if anyone has any sort of advice, or has experienced a similar feeling i'd love to chat. <3
thank you in advance, and i apologize for ranting on main.
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blue-kyber · 2 years
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Being off my meds doesn’t feel emotionally and physically great. The doc was supposed to call me on my last day to see how I’m doing and didn’t. I ran out on Saturday. I had to call them twice to get them to fit me in. At first it was for this upcoming Saturday. I argued that they were supposed to call me last week, so they got me in tomorrow evening.
I’ve been all over the place since last Saturday. It’s Tuesday.
It sucks that now I know how hard I have to work just to regulate everything, remember stuff, have motivation, and all that executive function stuff just to do regular stuff.
Because now I have something to compare it to.
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