Things I Do To Make Writing Easier As Someone With ADHD

Things I Do To Make Writing Easier as Someone with ADHD

Talking with my therapist the other day, I realized most of my productivity "hacks" fall into 2 categories: changing things that were made by/set up for people without ADHD OR finding ways to "trick" my brain into doing what I want.

MODIFYING THINGS TO FIT THE WAY MY BRAIN THINKS AND WORKS

change the setup and format of documents

something about the standard-size paper with the standard-size margins and standard boring font reminds me too much of school work. it's boring and familiar in a way that doesn't stimulate my brain the way it needs to in order to be fully creative.

Everyone will want theirs to look differently but here are the two ways I usually modify my document setup:

The "formatted paperback book" way that I outlined in THIS POST (Statement size paper, .5" margins, fonts like Georgia or EB Garamond)

And the one I don't have a name for but it's so nice to look at: US Letter size, .5" margins on all 4 sides, and the Karla font on Google Docs*. I also use this method with outlining. The tutorial is HERE!

use spreadsheets to organize character variables for brainstorming

this may sounds bonkers but it has done WONDERS for me when brainstorming new story characters. my thoughts are too scattered and i normally can't hold onto brainstormed ideas very well.

i made a spreadsheet of character elements and categories and basically use it as a random generator sometimes.

HERE is the post explaining how I use it.

layer the sounds

i work while listening to something. i think most of us do. i have found that the best way to keep my brain focused is to play music and then open a YouTube tab on lower volume of white noise ambiance like wind, rain, or rainforest sounds. That provides a constant so the changing music doesn't feel so uneven and distracting.

along with this, i usually find an instrumental, themed playlist on YouTube. French countryside, jazz lounge, 1950s picnic. You can find just about anything.

if i really want my music (with lyrics), i pick one song per scene and loop it. the consistency not only takes away distractions, but also makes the scene i'm writing more consistent in tone. most of all, it helps me stay engaged and in the moment.

HOW I (POSITIVELY) TRICK MY BRAIN INTO DOING WHAT I WANT

Reward Systems (that actually work for me)

Normal reward systems for productivity don't work for me. I get frustrated or impatient or let the reward sidetrack me for SO long. Here are some rewards/breaks that work for me.

if i want to use my phone for social media, tiktok, or other scrolling things, I set my timer for 5 minutes. it can take a lot of discipline to actually stop at that timer but sometimes an annoying alarm sound can help or hitting the on/off button (on iPhones) will turn off the alarm AND your phone at the same time.

if my reward is getting a snack, i get it beforehand and put it somewhere in my workspace. otherwise, i will go to the kitchen and get sidetracked for 30 minutes. this goes for most things-- try to get everything you may need or want in your space beforehand. maybe have a written list of usual items.

for a longer break, i do something related to my writing that still gives me a break from the productivity monster. making a playlist for it or finding new music for one, watching (a previously set number of) YouTube videos about the subject or writing craft, drawing a character, creating a fake book cover or poster for it, etc.

separate your "floater" thoughts from the task at hand

i often get thoughts about things to do for the project in the future or ideas for later in the story/outline/scene/etc. But for some reason, adding it to a separate document or in my phone's notes can completely throw off my rhythm and derail my focus. but i HAVE to get it down or i will forget and/or worry so much about trying to remember than i'm not actually focusing on anything.

the only solution i've found for this is physically writing the thoughts or ideas down on paper. something about it being a separate action from typing and a thing i can do so quickly without changing my computer screen makes it easier for me to get it down and keep going. i have a pile of scratch paper and a pen right next to me at all times.

find a way to organize the material you reference while writing that is intuitive and easy for you

i can't have my outline, visual reference/inspiration, AND my draft document in different tabs or windows. i'm not switching through them without being sidetracked or frustrated by how complicated it can get.

the most basic, quick, and free way to fix this is a split screen. Apple laptops and iPads will help you do a full-screen split between two windows. even with the sites i mention below, i always do this.

organizing an outline to reference on a linear document doesn't always work with my brain. i've been trying milanote recently. it lets me create separate pages and organize things like a board with notes, timelines, and photos. the free version may only fit one project depending on how much you have but for my projects (no world-building references needed), the free version is enough.

making a physical copy of it, either on a board or in a binder also works for me. i'm not blindly scrolling trying to find something, it's much more about holding it and muscle memory.

i believe Scrivener also can be used as a board system. it's a one-time purchase and currently there is a discount code if you search "Camp NaNoWriMo offers". They do this every April and November with their events.

I hope this is helpful or at least a good launch point for anyone (ADHD or not) who needs it! I might make a second one if I think of more.

[ADHD is not a one-size-fits-all thing. This is simply what I do as someone with diagnosed but unmedicated ADHD]

As always, take what you want and leave the rest. happy writing!

[call it good] writing