Thanks for addressing this. Writing is a real problem for some people with ADD. I was diagnosed last year at the age of 56. I've also been a journalist most of adult life, working for newspapers, wire services and magazines since the age of 21. Though people say I've done well, my entire career has been a struggle in my own mind. Disorganisation has been the big thing. Whether I'm writing a story or editing one, I've always never known where to start. Here's a typical internal dialogue (after listening to a phone interview and reading my notes): Shit, so much stuff. I only have 500 words and maybe three hours to file this. What are the key facts? It’s such a simple story. It should tell itself. This should be easy: a cadet could do this, you fool. What should go first? No, I really like that bit. That’s such a good quote. That sentence is too long and complicated: rework it. But I really like that phrase. Shit, you've written too much. The boss is looking at me; she must be running out of patience by now. Can’t believe I’ve lasted here this long. OK, this will have to do; not happy, but it’s taken me half a day already, and I have other stuff to do. I print out the story and run it past my colleague and friend. She says it’s great and why am I worrying. I press the send button, exhausted by nervous energy, unhappy with the story and awaiting a shitstorm of criticism. ADD sucks. Even this post has taken several rewrites. Thanks for raising the issue.
I do this thing a lot where I accidentally say a random word, when i mean another. Example : 'close the chair'- i.e. close the door. Like today i answered the phone at work ( I work at retail) and accidentally said thanks for calling *pizza chain*…. So embarrassing. I would like to know of other symptoms of ADD/ADHD because i believe i have symptoms of it and i would like to learn more before spending hundreds on an assessment. Even at this moment i am supposed to be studying for an exam @ 9am tomorrow and i am on RUclips trying to figure out if i have ADHD.
I’m a journalist with ADHD (and possibly on the autism spectrum as well) and wow, I feel you on that entire experience. It’s rough. But I’m glad to know I’m not alone on those feelings around my work, and that you aren’t as well. :)
I've always been a creative person but the things I write are too abstract sometimes. There's an obvious idea I want to convey and somehow I manage to pick the most difficult way to express it. Oh, also, consistency doesn't exist for me xD.
This was so unbelievably helpful. The snowflake method was exactly the type of structure I needed, and I can't believe I'd never heard of it. This four minute video was literally life changing for me.
Outlining is SAVING my life rm. I have only one page out of 6 pages that I need to finish by Monday. I first wrote out a really basic skeleton of each important chunk of my essay, really simple things like "1. Introduction. 2. Brief history of topic 3. Concept/argument x 4. Concept/argument y 5. Conclusion" Kinda like that. It seems annoying at first, but it really got me into a productive mindset and breaking it down into a simple '5 (or however many) steps' made it easier to stay motivated and focused. Now I've started jotting down little notes as I type about how I wanted to take on each section as ideas popped in so I can come back to them to make sure I am keeping my essay streamlined and not scatterbrained. It made me feel so much more confident in my abilities. It made me feel less stressed and instead, proud of how organized I could be!
Same boat. I live in a small house with 4 other adult-aged people, so we're all kind of on top of each other. My only space I pretty much exist at is my desk. I don't have the option of setting up a separate space. I've thought about setting up a second account in my computer just for writing. Has all my stuff for writing hosted on that account, and then when I'm *not* writing, I switch back to my main account. I dunno if that makes sense or I'm a crazy person.
@@tearstoneactual9773 I created a new account in my computer, new email, etc... Just for writing. I want to start writing a novel but I absolutely can't. I got 1k words a few days back and never got back into it. My family is going through a though situation so If this doesn't work out I'll have to get a job, which I absolutely can't because of ADHD, my previous(and first) job was a nightmare and I can't go through all that again... I'm so fucked.
@@tearstoneactual9773You could always find a park or quiet coffee shop near your house, and make that your designated writing place. If it's too noisy, you can find somewhere else.
Thank you. I'm just now coming to realize my own ADD and how severe it is at the age of 32 as I try to complete a Master's Degree. This is validating and helpful. I love the snowflake idea!
@@wendynhlangulela5144 Yeah, I did! I'm working as a therapist now and 99% of my clients are adults with ADHD! I had no idea this would be my area of focus when I started my Masters in Counselling Psychology, but it all seemed to just fit together perfectly. Getting to use my own ADHD struggles as a RESOURCE to help others feels amazing and like I'm somehow cheating the system
I have no issue with topics being the ideas person. I have no issues with outlining. That's where it stops. Nope, sorry, forgot: I have no issues editing. I have issues with life, eating well, balances in work and working out for better health regularily. I have issues with producing my words into becoming a polished video or audio presentation and then posting it. Any ideas of how? Are you also going to the gym, cooking your mesls (can't do food prep lest it plays havoc with my histamines yes got to eat fresh) got to go for short walks 2x a day. Got to, got to.
Thank you so much! This has been a real struggle for me who have ADHD and trying to write in second language. I find it's more difficult when you're given a certain topic to write about.
currently working on a book about ADHD itself. And I did ask few people over the internet for the feedback and I am pivoting some initial section accordingly.
Do you understand how many books and projects I've started. How many events I've run, how many just overall things I've tried to do and just can't finish or my anxiety takes over and kills a projects before its even begun. I've started writing short stories to practice finishing stuff and at least i can FINISH a short story (but the editing stopped me for like half a year) so I know I can do full chapters. I wrote during Nanowrimo and yea I wrote the 50k words during the month BUT I only finished 4 short stories out of 15 and never went back and edited them. I've had so much trouble with all of this constantly it hurts.
Sounds like my exact situation, except I never got the 50k words on nanowrimo, so great job on that. I have bipolar disorder as well as ADHD and I live in this constant turmoil of feeling that if I could force myself to write every day like a good boy I could become a good writer, and the constant memories of giving up on everything I've ever started. In college I would write essays that my professors adored, but I would always write them at like 2 in the morning right before class, obsessively reading back over each line and editing it frantically. I feel cursed to have potential that I'll never be able to realize and it's my own damn fault.
@@JoeMama-yd1ve frik I know that feeling all too well. I enrolled in an Honours year which I am currently doing, after years of break after my degree (which left me incredibly burnt out). I get excellent marks and my tutors always comment on my great writing style. But it is an absolute physical, emotional, and mental mountain to climb every time I do an assignment. I'm good at writing, I know I am - and I really don't want to waste this gift. Or any of my gifts. But I feel that, for all my potential, I seem unable to consistently do what needs to be done to really let that potential shine... and that is nothing short of torturous. I'm playing with the idea that maybe everything is going to be hard for me and that I need to practice the art of acceptance, so that I can just get on with things anyway. I.e. I want to be a writer. But it's hard. But everything else is hard, too. So I might as well just find a way to do it and breathe through the pain.
If you can't set up a separate space or your setup is better at home (e.g. you use a desktop with two monitors so going to the library or using your laptop elsewhere would be a detriment), I've found setting up a separate "work" account helps. Sign out of your personal account on your pc and into your work one with more productive apps, different background, etc. to get your mind in the right place. Doesn't always work but can help in my experience.
I knew that I wanted to be a writer 2 years ago when I was 16. I started writing because of my wild imagination of my favourite anime/webcomic scenes where I would go my way. So I tried writing on Wattpad and knew it was it. But one problem is that I did that stuff on my phone, so I would get distracted and start using other apps like youtube. So I did that for a month and forgot about it. Later after seeing my book after many months, I felt like I wanted to laugh at what I wrote and edited it. The same thing happened a few months later and then again. Until I was no longer interested in that book. I was strict with myself not to abandon it, but I let it go because I had much better ideas and it felt that thaat book was holding me back. I don't have a laptop since I'm barely 18. If I have to do something, it's either the phone or my notebook which is best used in school. I'm hated by all my teachers so they ignore me, so I write sometimes, other times I sleep. I started studying too since I have important exams coming over. I just pray that I get atleast 65% in my final exams so I get into the college I want where I will learn creative writing professionally. For all of you who are reading this, please take a second to pray for my good grades, and I will be greatful.
Thanks for addressing this. Writing is a real problem for some people with ADD.
I was diagnosed last year at the age of 56. I've also been a journalist most of adult life, working for newspapers, wire services and magazines since the age of 21. Though people say I've done well, my entire career has been a struggle in my own mind.
Disorganisation has been the big thing. Whether I'm writing a story or editing one, I've always never known where to start.
Here's a typical internal dialogue (after listening to a phone interview and reading my notes):
Shit, so much stuff. I only have 500 words and maybe three hours to file this. What are the key facts? It’s such a simple story. It should tell itself. This should be easy: a cadet could do this, you fool. What should go first? No, I really like that bit. That’s such a good quote. That sentence is too long and complicated: rework it. But I really like that phrase. Shit, you've written too much. The boss is looking at me; she must be running out of patience by now. Can’t believe I’ve lasted here this long. OK, this will have to do; not happy, but it’s taken me half a day already, and I have other stuff to do.
I print out the story and run it past my colleague and friend. She says it’s great and why am I worrying. I press the send button, exhausted by nervous energy, unhappy with the story and awaiting a shitstorm of criticism.
ADD sucks. Even this post has taken several rewrites.
Thanks for raising the issue.
John Piggott you are great... I am struggling big time ATTEMPTING to start a writing career. I wish you well
I am a motor journalist - and I know exactly how you feel. Everyday is a struggle and I often want to give-up.
I do this thing a lot where I accidentally say a random word, when i mean another. Example : 'close the chair'- i.e. close the door. Like today i answered the phone at work ( I work at retail) and accidentally said thanks for calling *pizza chain*…. So embarrassing. I would like to know of other symptoms of ADD/ADHD because i believe i have symptoms of it and i would like to learn more before spending hundreds on an assessment.
Even at this moment i am supposed to be studying for an exam @ 9am tomorrow and i am on RUclips trying to figure out if i have ADHD.
I’m a journalist with ADHD (and possibly on the autism spectrum as well) and wow, I feel you on that entire experience. It’s rough. But I’m glad to know I’m not alone on those feelings around my work, and that you aren’t as well. :)
@@SQUELCH-zj7il You really got me on that last sentence! Countless are the ways I distract myself even as I'm looking down the barrel of a deadline.
I've always been a creative person but the things I write are too abstract sometimes. There's an obvious idea I want to convey and somehow I manage to pick the most difficult way to express it. Oh, also, consistency doesn't exist for me xD.
Same here! Abstract abstract. Making abstract stories from smth very non abstract 🤣🤣🤣 woah haahha 😅😎😎
same here mate, always complex & abstract lol
This was so unbelievably helpful. The snowflake method was exactly the type of structure I needed, and I can't believe I'd never heard of it. This four minute video was literally life changing for me.
Hearing you say that having no distractions is terrifying, is so relatable it's healing x
Outlining is SAVING my life rm. I have only one page out of 6 pages that I need to finish by Monday. I first wrote out a really basic skeleton of each important chunk of my essay, really simple things like
"1. Introduction.
2. Brief history of topic
3. Concept/argument x
4. Concept/argument y
5. Conclusion"
Kinda like that. It seems annoying at first, but it really got me into a productive mindset and breaking it down into a simple '5 (or however many) steps' made it easier to stay motivated and focused.
Now I've started jotting down little notes as I type about how I wanted to take on each section as ideas popped in so I can come back to them to make sure I am keeping my essay streamlined and not scatterbrained. It made me feel so much more confident in my abilities. It made me feel less stressed and instead, proud of how organized I could be!
the way you got right to the point and listed off a few solutions so fast was super refreshing having adhd
I still had to watch it at 1.5 speed.
Yea, I absolutely CANNOT write without some kind of music. But lyrics end up being distracting so it's all BGM for me.
try instrumental tal music lyrics are a distraction for everyone
I listen to porcupine tree whenever I want to focus bc it's a band that I don't rly like but I don't rly hate---great background music lol
Lol “a place just for writing” advice always rattles me. Yeah sure… cuz I just have extra rooms in my house 😂
Same boat. I live in a small house with 4 other adult-aged people, so we're all kind of on top of each other. My only space I pretty much exist at is my desk. I don't have the option of setting up a separate space. I've thought about setting up a second account in my computer just for writing. Has all my stuff for writing hosted on that account, and then when I'm *not* writing, I switch back to my main account. I dunno if that makes sense or I'm a crazy person.
@@tearstoneactual9773 I created a new account in my computer, new email, etc... Just for writing. I want to start writing a novel but I absolutely can't. I got 1k words a few days back and never got back into it. My family is going through a though situation so If this doesn't work out I'll have to get a job, which I absolutely can't because of ADHD, my previous(and first) job was a nightmare and I can't go through all that again... I'm so fucked.
@@tearstoneactual9773You could always find a park or quiet coffee shop near your house, and make that your designated writing place. If it's too noisy, you can find somewhere else.
Thank you. I'm just now coming to realize my own ADD and how severe it is at the age of 32 as I try to complete a Master's Degree. This is validating and helpful. I love the snowflake idea!
Hey! Did you ever finish your Master's degree?
@@wendynhlangulela5144 Yeah, I did! I'm working as a therapist now and 99% of my clients are adults with ADHD! I had no idea this would be my area of focus when I started my Masters in Counselling Psychology, but it all seemed to just fit together perfectly. Getting to use my own ADHD struggles as a RESOURCE to help others feels amazing and like I'm somehow cheating the system
Thank You! I have an ADHD and starting a PhD soon.
Thank you so much, I have so many ideas but the executive functioning part is so difficult. I realized I have ADHD in trauma therapy.
I have no issue with topics being the ideas person. I have no issues with outlining. That's where it stops. Nope, sorry, forgot: I have no issues editing. I have issues with life, eating well, balances in work and working out for better health regularily. I have issues with producing my words into becoming a polished video or audio presentation and then posting it. Any ideas of how? Are you also going to the gym, cooking your mesls (can't do food prep lest it plays havoc with my histamines yes got to eat fresh) got to go for short walks 2x a day. Got to, got to.
This brief little video provides an abundance of good advice. Thank you.
Thank you so much! This has been a real struggle for me who have ADHD and trying to write in second language. I find it's more difficult when you're given a certain topic to write about.
currently working on a book about ADHD itself. And I did ask few people over the internet for the feedback and I am pivoting some initial section accordingly.
Do you understand how many books and projects I've started. How many events I've run, how many just overall things I've tried to do and just can't finish or my anxiety takes over and kills a projects before its even begun.
I've started writing short stories to practice finishing stuff and at least i can FINISH a short story (but the editing stopped me for like half a year) so I know I can do full chapters. I wrote during Nanowrimo and yea I wrote the 50k words during the month BUT I only finished 4 short stories out of 15 and never went back and edited them. I've had so much trouble with all of this constantly it hurts.
Sounds like my exact situation, except I never got the 50k words on nanowrimo, so great job on that. I have bipolar disorder as well as ADHD and I live in this constant turmoil of feeling that if I could force myself to write every day like a good boy I could become a good writer, and the constant memories of giving up on everything I've ever started. In college I would write essays that my professors adored, but I would always write them at like 2 in the morning right before class, obsessively reading back over each line and editing it frantically. I feel cursed to have potential that I'll never be able to realize and it's my own damn fault.
@@JoeMama-yd1ve frik I know that feeling all too well. I enrolled in an Honours year which I am currently doing, after years of break after my degree (which left me incredibly burnt out). I get excellent marks and my tutors always comment on my great writing style. But it is an absolute physical, emotional, and mental mountain to climb every time I do an assignment. I'm good at writing, I know I am - and I really don't want to waste this gift. Or any of my gifts. But I feel that, for all my potential, I seem unable to consistently do what needs to be done to really let that potential shine... and that is nothing short of torturous.
I'm playing with the idea that maybe everything is going to be hard for me and that I need to practice the art of acceptance, so that I can just get on with things anyway. I.e. I want to be a writer. But it's hard. But everything else is hard, too. So I might as well just find a way to do it and breathe through the pain.
If you can't set up a separate space or your setup is better at home (e.g. you use a desktop with two monitors so going to the library or using your laptop elsewhere would be a detriment), I've found setting up a separate "work" account helps. Sign out of your personal account on your pc and into your work one with more productive apps, different background, etc. to get your mind in the right place. Doesn't always work but can help in my experience.
❤❤❤😢 thank you SO much for this. I feel like this video can save my deadline
I knew that I wanted to be a writer 2 years ago when I was 16. I started writing because of my wild imagination of my favourite anime/webcomic scenes where I would go my way. So I tried writing on Wattpad and knew it was it. But one problem is that I did that stuff on my phone, so I would get distracted and start using other apps like youtube. So I did that for a month and forgot about it. Later after seeing my book after many months, I felt like I wanted to laugh at what I wrote and edited it. The same thing happened a few months later and then again. Until I was no longer interested in that book. I was strict with myself not to abandon it, but I let it go because I had much better ideas and it felt that thaat book was holding me back.
I don't have a laptop since I'm barely 18. If I have to do something, it's either the phone or my notebook which is best used in school. I'm hated by all my teachers so they ignore me, so I write sometimes, other times I sleep. I started studying too since I have important exams coming over.
I just pray that I get atleast 65% in my final exams so I get into the college I want where I will learn creative writing professionally. For all of you who are reading this, please take a second to pray for my good grades, and I will be greatful.
What I do is add distractions and it works because there are to many things to chose from so I just go oh well homework I guesse
This was fantastic, well spoken and great information.
I was born with adhd I have a learning disability from my adhd so it’s more harder for me to write a book
What’s your learning disability
THANK YOU!
I wanna write my debut novel but my stupid ADHD raddled brain 😭
👍👍👍