Writing tips for ADHD authors

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a form of neurodiversity that affects daily life, and it is characterised by hyperactivity, impulsivity, and concentration difficulties. Writing a book can be a different experience to someone who is neurotypical (meaning that they do not have neurodiversity). If you have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you may find that challenges with time management, organisation, and focus make the idea of completing a book feel overwhelming and out of reach. Here are our top tips to help you write a book as an ADHDer.

Concentration

Experiment with different ratios of writing vs breaks to see what maximises your concentration.

If you struggle to stick to routines or set goals, try not to put pressure on yourself to write every day. Don’t worry if you forget to write some days or aren’t in the mood- just get back to it when you can. Try not to force yourself to write, or create a schedule that does not work for you.  Your writing schedule can be personalised to suit your needs, then you can optimise the times when you are writing.   

With ADHD, your concentration span will likely be shorter when you’re distracted and longer when you’re hyperfocused. So, our first tip is to experiment to find what works for you.

  • Set a focus timer on your phone, and keep other tempting distractions in another room. 
  • Try the pomodoro technique, where you set a writing timer for 25 minutes, and have a 5 minute break in between these sets. You can adjust your ratio of writing to breaks to best suit your attention span.
  • Many ADHDers find that using timers to create a window to finish tasks is beneficial as it creates a sense of urgency. 

Planning 

Either plan or have a rough outline so you’re not faced with a blank page.

As someone with ADHD, you may struggle with planning, but it can make writing a book much easier if you create a simple outline in advance:

  • The outline doesn’t have to be detailed, just enough so you’re not faced with a blank page. Ideally, the outline will give you direction and keep you on track.
  • You may find it easier to keep your writing bite-sized by completing a section at a time from your outline.
  • This plan can be written in a list, a mindmap, or sporadic notes. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, find what works best for you. You could separate ideas into different documents, colour code, or use different forms of media.

Reward yourself

This will support your dopamine levels and encourage you to achieve your goals

  • Again, it might not come naturally to set goals because you’re focused on the now, but it can be helpful to set a challenge with a reward. If you have a plan or outline, you can set microgoals for writing if this helps you make progress. 
  • You could set a goal like writing 300 words in one hour. It doesn’t matter if you hit the goal, so long as you’re trying.
  • Goal setting doesn’t work for everyone so if it doesn’t work for you, don’t worry. 
  • Often, it’s the reward that encourages motivation so make sure you have some form of reward for yourself , like “If I write 1000 words, I get to scroll Reddit for half an hour.”

Environment

Write in an environment you can thrive in, both in real life and on your computer. 

Adapt your environment in a way that’s personal to you to optimize your writing experience:

  • If you find having background music helps you focus, then create a playlist. 
  • You may want to try different locations to write. Some people prefer busy environments, while others like silence. Try cafés, the park, or a library.
  • The software you use can impact your writing, so find an app that works best for you, whether it’s Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or a transcription app.
  • Delete all desktop icons and leave only your manuscript on the desktop.
  • Don’t store your work in a subfolder, or in an inaccessible location. We also recommend naming it as something you will remember, so you won’t risk losing it on your computer! 
  • Change your environment so that writing feels novel to you.

Support

Ask for help from others to support you and progress in your writing

This can be done through many means, such as:

  • Joining an ADHD writing community, such as Writers with ADHD.
  • You may find that body doubling with others increases your focus and productivity. Many ADHDers will use this technique in-person, over zoom, or use online videos of people working.
  • By working with others, you can introduce accountability measures so that you can stay on track.
  • A book shepherd could assist you with the process of publishing. They would be able to support you with motivation, as well as accountability, in addition to answering any questions you may have. If you are interested in working with our book shepherd Shelby, please contact us here.

These tips are designed to help you create the best writing environment for your needs to support you on your authorial journey. For more advice and information, feel free to book a consultation call with us, as we are here to support authors on their journey. You can get in contact here. 

This blog was created with support from National Neurodiversity Training.