Writer's Block or ADHD? What Seven Years of Writing Taught Me
After seven years of writing, I've learned that getting words on the page isn't always a smooth ride. Sometimes, it's a real struggle. And in those tough moments, I often wonder: Am I just facing writer's block, or is something else going on, like ADHD?)
This article will break down these two common hurdles for writers. We'll look at what they are, how they're different, and how they can feel similar. Most importantly, I'll share practical tips to help you push through and keep your words flowing.
What Are We Talking About? Writer's Block vs. ADHD
Let's start with clear definitions for both.
Writer's Block:
This is when you just can't write, or you write very slowly. You might run out of ideas, struggle to put thoughts into words, or feel unhappy with everything you write. It's usually a temporary creative slump, not a medical condition.
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder):
This is a brain difference that makes it hard to focus, stay organized, and control impulses. It's not that you can't pay attention, but your brain struggles to manage its attention. It's a lifelong condition that affects how you think, plan, and get things done.
How They Compare: Brain Blocks and Brain Differences
Even though writer's block and ADHD are different, they can feel similar when you're trying to write.
Writer's Block – The Creative Freeze:
• What it is: Often caused by things like being worried about your writing, wanting it to be perfect, feeling burnt out, or just lacking ideas. It's more about your mind getting stuck due to various pressures.
• How it feels: Like staring at a blank wall, knowing there should be a door, but you can't find it. Your mind feels empty, or your ideas just don't seem good enough.
ADHD – The Busy Brain:
• What it is: A difference in how the brain works, especially in areas that control planning, focus, and self-control. It involves how certain brain chemicals, like dopamine, are managed. It's how your brain is wired.
• How it feels: Like having many different thoughts and ideas all at once, making it hard to settle on just one. Focusing for long periods can be tough, and even small things can pull your attention away.
How They Can Look Similar When Writing:
• Hard to Start: Both can make that first sentence feel impossible.
• Getting Sidetracked: Writer's block can get worse with distractions. For ADHD, almost everything can be a distraction.
• Putting Things Off: With writer's block, it's often fear or lack of ideas. With ADHD, it's often because starting tasks and staying organized are hard.
• Wanting Perfection: Writer's block can come from fear of not being good enough. People with ADHD can also be perfectionists because they're worried about making mistakes.
• Feeling Overwhelmed: The frustration of writer's block can feel much stronger and harder to manage if you have ADHD.
Overcoming the Hurdles: My Go-To Strategies
No matter if it's a block or how your brain is wired, there are ways to keep writing!
Beating ADHD in Your Writing:
This isn't about "fixing" ADHD, but understanding how your brain works best and setting yourself up for success.
• Use Your Hyperfocus Power: When something truly interests you, your ADHD brain can focus intensely. Find what excites you most about your story and lean into that. Can you make writing feel like a game?
• Get Thoughts Out of Your Head: Your memory might be a bit unreliable.
• Outline (but stay flexible!): Create a basic plan for your story. It acts as a map when your mind wanders.
• Use Tools: Apps for notes, mind-mapping software, or even just index cards can help you organize your ideas outside your head.
• Visuals Help: Use whiteboards or sticky notes to see your ideas clearly.
• Try the Pomodoro Technique: Work for a set time (like 25 minutes), then take a short break (5 minutes). Repeat. This breaks down big tasks and uses your brain's love for short, focused bursts.
Cut Out All Distractions (Seriously):
• Find Your Quiet Zone: Go somewhere quiet. Use noise-canceling headphones. Turn off all notifications. Put your phone far away.
• "Brain Dump" Before You Start: If your mind is racing with other thoughts, quickly write them down so you can deal with them later. This frees up your brain for writing.
• Move Your Body: ADHD brains often need movement. Take short, active breaks. Stand up, stretch, or walk around. It can help you refocus.
• Seek Expert Help: If ADHD symptoms are greatly affecting your life and writing, talk to a doctor or therapist. They can help with diagnosis and strategies, which might include medication or therapy.
Smashing Writer's Block (with Bold Moves!):
Sometimes, you need to make big changes to break through the block.
• "Kill Your Darlings" (and then some):
• Get Rid of a Favorite Character: Yes, that one. The one you love. See how the story changes without them. This forces new ideas.
• Blow Up Your Plot: Is your story stuck? Introduce a huge problem. Maybe an alien invasion, a natural disaster, or something totally unexpected. This is about shaking things up to get new ideas, not necessarily for your final draft.
• Delete Your "Perfect" Chapter: That chapter you spent forever on? Delete it. Start fresh, or rewrite it completely. Trying to be perfect can often cause blocks.
• Switch Genres for a Bit: If you're stuck on your fantasy novel, try writing a short romance story for an hour, or a silly poem. Changing gears completely can loosen up your mind.
• Write the "Worst Possible" Scene: Take all the pressure off. Try to write the most boring, cliché, or badly written scene you can imagine for your story. This often helps you just start writing anything, and once the words are flowing, you can improve them.
• Write the Ending First: If you're stuck in the middle, jump to the end. What's the very last scene? Write it. Then, with that clear ending, work backward to see how your characters got there.
• Embrace the "Messy First Draft": Don't try to make your first draft perfect. Just get your ideas down. No one has to see it. It's about quantity first, quality later.
• Step Away and Observe: Leave your desk. Go for a walk. Do chores. While you're doing something else, pay attention to the world around you. Listen to conversations, notice details. Your brain often solves problems when you're not directly thinking about them.
Final Thoughts
Seven years of writing has taught me that both writer's block and living with an ADHD brain are just parts of the creative journey. They're not roadblocks, but opportunities to learn more about ourselves and find new ways to work.
So, the next time that blank page stares back, don't give up. Ask yourself: Is this just a temporary creative pause, or is my amazing, busy brain telling me it needs a different approach? Either way, the solution often involves being kind to yourself, trying new strategies, and sometimes, being brave enough to completely shake things up in your story. Now, go write!
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