Gail

It's all cobblers Creative encouragement for ADHD writers

I did the scary thing! It's only taken me three years. open.substack.com/pub/whizzybr...

Working on a big scary (for me) thing at the moment, launching soon I hope. It's almost like we're back in the days of Typepad, folks...

@manderleypress.bsky.social I feel like you'd have a rolodex of good people...

This is definitely worth reading. On that note of how you might spend $5k (if you had it) on your writing career, I'd love to know the development editors, proofreaders, cover designers, PR professionals etc etc that you've used and you would recommend - let's get that starter pack going!

That sounds like a lot to deal with. I'm so glad you're here today.

If for whatever reason (#ADHD, tend to ruminate, anxiety) meditation isn't for you, maybe you'll like this too: I find spending some time looking at one of Emma's composition of lovely things is a lovely gentle way to regulate.

A picture of a large vinyl sticker lying on a keyboard. The sticker is of a white person with short orange-red hair and freckles, wearing blue trousers and a yellow jumper with orange-red cuffs and neckband. There are yellow and black crackling lines coming from their head and they're pointing at them. The person's expression is somewhat alarmed and curious and the text beside the figure says "I can hear your electrics" (Sticker from NeuroDivers on Etsy)

Who else gets this? Driving me mad today.

(stickers by NeuroDivers on Etsy)

Found this fascinating, reading how both these authors write, and find their way into their work.

Weirdly, limiting my writing time helps. No sitting at the desk, ruminating. Sessions of maximum an hour until something changes, the feeling shifts.
Also co-writing, either online or in person. Meeting friends at the British Library to write.
Getting enough sleep, re-reading old favourites.

Hello! Your post about three feeds made me laugh.
I think especially for late-dx women, we had a whole bunch of coping mechanisms that probably weren't that healthy, and then fell apart in 2020 (or maybe that's just me)

Ooh coloured index cards, I'm feeling a dopamine boost just looking at them

How can you make sure that writing is nourishing and invigorating, and keep body and soul together when you’re juggling a total lack of executive function and a bucketload of hyperfocus? Would really love to hear how you evaluate what balance is for you, and your top self-care rituals and routines.

Especially looking at those people who write for seven hours ignoring the need to pee. Spoonie writers carefully rationing energy. Menopausers who are mostly powered by righteous rage.

I hate how self-care has become associated with pampering (thanks so much, late stage capitalism) but it’s more fundamental than that.

Calling all #ADHD Writers but particularly the late-diagnosed folks: what are your self-care rituals for when you’re writing? Also as important - what do you do for yourself when you’re *not* writing, or writing isn’t going well?
#adhdwriters #amwriting #NeurodivergentSupport

Sticker joy! I bloody love stickers, I used to think it was bc of my now-retired people pleaser, who wanted all the gold stars. Actually it's because stickers are brilliant. Look how SHINY and gorgeous these ones are!

A diary opened to November 2024. On top there’s a dark brown vintage Parker fountain pen, and a small rectangle of blotting paper. Printed on the blotting paper is a ruffled, knowing raven on a branch, gazing to the right. There’s a printed credit at the bottom, Anne Nossack and her instagram account t is @kleines_p.

When the #gothic fiction starts to properly take over…

(Writer’s Diary from @urbanwriters)

Prizes for works in progress - could be useful for #neurodivergent writers to keep up motivation? Congratulations @alexcassidy.bsky.social!

Today I also apparently have my IT hat on, advising on how to use split screens and the like. 🫣

Right, straight into Monday with a three hour Book Doubling session, client is masterfully tackling the edits she didn't want to start and I'm mainlining coffee. All is well with the world etc etc. (I mean obviously not the _wider_ world, but between our two screens)

BBC and Create Central launch new writing scheme in Birmingham and the Black Country for aspiring sc... Write Across Birmingham and the Black Country will provide up to 12 aspiring writers with a crucial insight into writing for TV

Please share

Summed up so well, that makes total sense. But also rubbish when lack of executive function won't let you start writing 🙋‍♀️

Oh, the sheer weariness in her face!

Large navy travel mug. It has a sticker on it with a waiter carrying a tray of three drinks, saying '"As requested, your drinks trio"

Water, water with electrolytes, and coffee

Yeah outlining makes my brain think I've already written the story. Writing out of sequence can help. Write the bits that excite you and see what breadcrumbs in each piece needs to be followed up - either earlier or later in the narrative.

Adorable! Our youngest is dying for a dog. Actually husband is pretty keen too. Not sure how the cat will feel though...

Also here for cats, stationery, yarn crafts, good telly, cake recipes, soup recipes, dressmaking tips - alllll the good stuff.

Pm Private GIF Alt: Image shows the Cone of Silence gag from the 60's TV show "Get Smart", where two white men put their heads inside an elaborate clear plastic device shaped like a barbell, to keep their conversation private.

Because sometimes you are having a shit time and don't want to tell your crit partners/agent/editor and so get more and more stuck. Cone of silence, over here at www.bookdoubling.com

And the differences between what I offer and other great services like Flown is
1. it's a bespoke 1:1 appointment
2. I will ask if you don't turn up
3. I'm an experienced editor.
It's whatever mix of accountability and editorial advice you need.

It's not about productivity as in smashing goals or being superhuman - rather it's mostly bypassing poor executive function, and sometimes a total lack of self-confidence, from years trying to operate in a neurotypical way and world.