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Writing is hard. It’s a craft that demands patience, creativity, discipline, and focus. Some writers navigate this process with ease. They work with neatly structured outlines, a consistent routine, and an almost magical ability to concentrate for hours on end.
I am not one of those writers.
My brain, a tangled web of racing thoughts and hyperfixations, doesn’t quite play by the rules. I live in the paradox of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)—where my mind is simultaneously buzzing with a thousand ideas and obsessing over the perfect placement of a single comma. So while writing is my passion and my escape, it can also be my greatest frustration.
It turns out that ADHD and OCD are included in a long list of neurodivergent disorders. Truthfully, I only found out recently that these conditions (I am loath to use the word “disorders”) are considered neurodivergent. They have been an integral part of me for so long, I don’t know any other way to be. ADHD makes it difficult to sit still and focus, while OCD paralyzes me until every sentence is perfect. I’ve come to learn these neurodivergent tendencies shape the way I think, work, communicate, and create. Science actually says that my brain works differently than other people’s. And here I thought everyone had a mind that played tug-of-war with itself all day long!
But it’s these very peculiarities that make neurodivergent writers so extraordinary–providing bursts of creativity, hyperfocus, an eye for detail. We see the world through a different lens than other people do, and this gives us a unique perspective in our storytelling.
That being said, it took me a while to realize just how big an impact ADHD and OCD had on my writing. I mean, I knew there were days I would find myself sitting at my laptop, fingers perched on the keyboard, waiting for the brilliantly inspired ideas that never came. Then there were the times when thoughts came tumbling out of my brain faster than I could write them down… only to have them come to a screeching halt five minutes later because I fell down the internet rabbit hole researching a minor fact for my story. I just accepted that as my (flawed) “process.” But when I finally did connect the dots, it was a relief to discover there was a reason why writing was so hard for me! I wasn’t broken—I was just dealing with a different set of challenges and strengths than many others.
In this blog, I’ll share my personal experiences as a neurodivergent writer—the struggles, the breakthroughs, and everything in between. More importantly, this blog is a space for other neurodivergent writers to feel validated and supported as they refine their craft. And who knows? I might even have a few helpful strategies to share.
If you have faced similar challenges, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’ve experienced some minor inconvenience or a huge obstacle, it matters. Share your journey, your tricks, your questions in the comment section. You are not alone. Let’s navigate this beautifully chaotic world of writing together.
About the Author:
Karen is a writer, teacher, audiobook lover, and gifted procrastinator from New Jersey. When she's not completely distracted by something shiny, she fixes broken stuff around her house. But her favorite activities are spoiling her granddaughter, traveling to warm climates, snort-laughing with friends, and sipping a good cosmopolitan. Visit her online at www.karenkinley.com.
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