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I need some help - 12/25/2010 10:19:23 PM   
SAMHAIN09


Posts: 207
Joined: 11/8/2010
Status: offline 		I want to become a writer but I have a problem I have ADHD which causes me to have a problem concentrating and I have trouble sticking with a story as soon as I come up with a good idea I come up with another and another and well you get the idea. Does anyone have ideas on what should I do?
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RE: I need some help - 12/25/2010 10:25:27 PM   
ThatDamnedPanda


Posts: 6060
Joined: 1/26/2009
Status: offline 		What do you want to write? What form? Are you talking about fiction? Short stories, novels, screenplays? Maybe you could expand a bit on what you have in mind. 

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RE: I need some help - 12/25/2010 10:30:30 PM   
SylvereApLeanan


Posts: 8275
Joined: 11/1/2007
From: Hell
Status: offline 		My best friend is a writer and has ADD.  He doesn't go anywhere without a pocket notebook to write down ideas.  He also maintains a schedule so he writes at the same time every day.  He works on one story, poem, or paper during his writing time but he keeps lots of notes for any other ideas he has.
 
My oldest son has ADHD as well, so I can tell you that the more structure you have, the better off you'll be.  Are you on any medication like Concerta or Aderol?  If not, you might want to look into getting some.  You don't have to be on medication to function or to write.  My best friend doesn't take meds and he does fine.  However, he maintains a rigid schedule and still forgets less vital things like calling friends.

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RE: I need some help - 12/25/2010 11:01:42 PM   
Termyn8or


Posts: 18681
Joined: 11/12/2005
Status: offline 		ADHD, or any of that - is no excuse. If you think fast learn to type fast. Even learn to typo fast, reallly. Get it down. And don't forget to save.

In Word you can jump around. Got one thing going and something occurs to you, new file>save changes>yes>edit it later. I broke my story into parts, and when I wanted to continue I read the part, which is somewhat like a chapter, completely. It gave it some measure of continuity. Of the reviews I've gotten all were good I would say. I encouraged criticism actually. The complaints were that it wasn't emotional enough or something like that. I know I committed some misspelling and such, and it was not grammatically perfect, but the plot has continuity. If they read it and said it I guess I succeeded.

Your plan will be your own. You can write very short chapters and then edit them later adding detail. It starts as an outline in a way, the blanks need to be filled in. The reader will never know what you forgot to write. Go over it a few times, and then some more. It is work, but then so is sex.

When I wrote my story I was plunged into it, like going into a different world. As fascinating as reading can be, writing beats it hands down if you can get into it. You have to read what you wrote over and over, fix it, tweak it, know it. You need quiet. You need time. Before hitting the keys read, what is in your mind now ? Flow. Make it flow, remember the timeline. With few exceptions you must include past, present and future in that order, and the exceptions stick out. "He had been.....", "Little did he know....", those are highlights. Remeber the reader is in YOUR world now. Take them on a journey. It can be from Ohio to Antarctica, to Atlantis underneath, and what is below. Or it can be from the kitchen to the bedroom. Readers read to escape a boring reality. You recreate reality for them.

Really, when I was writing, if the phone rang I would just throw it out of my way. Shutup ! I didn't care who it was, I just wasn't here.

If you want to read mine mail me and I'll throw you a link. Warning - it is filled with kink.

T

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RE: I need some help - 12/26/2010 5:55:34 AM   
DesFIP


Posts: 25191
Joined: 11/25/2007
From: Apple County NY
Status: offline 		Take writer's workshops. Get a friend to edit, do what the editor says. Take your meds to keep you focused.

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RE: I need some help - 12/26/2010 6:46:35 AM   
KatyLied


Posts: 13029
Joined: 2/24/2005
From: Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		You should take the one idea, and before you get distracted, start the outline for the story.  This may help you find places for those other ideas, or at least help you decide whether they belong with your story or should be disposed.

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RE: I need some help - 12/26/2010 6:48:54 AM   
Killerangel


Posts: 1169
Joined: 8/3/2010
Status: offline 		Perhaps you could tailor the kind of writing you do to your strong points. If you're trying to do this for work consider being the 'idea' person, the one who sells creative beginnings. Or write jingles or advertising spots- I have an ADHD friend who is genius at this. It's what he does best - think in quick creative bursts.

If you want to do more traditional writing then you could choose haiku or 400-500 word essays  instead of their longer counterparts. Or blog. 

I once read a book by Henry Rollins called Black Coffee Blues that consisted of small bits of writing- like thoughts. He'd jot down something that happened or something he thought of, it might be 2 sentences or a couple of pages- none longer than that. It was good. I enjoyed having the small chunks to digest as it were, kind of like reading someone's diary. See if you can find any of his books- he wrote 3 in this manner - at your library and if this type of thing appeals to you. If so, carry around a small notebook or voice recorder and go for it!

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RE: I need some help - 12/26/2010 1:54:28 PM   
sub4hire


Posts: 6775
Joined: 1/1/2004
Status: offline 		Get some meds, they work excellent. Learn to meditate.

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RE: I need some help - 12/26/2010 2:16:01 PM   
January


Posts: 891
Joined: 4/17/2004
Status: offline 		His Samhain,

Write short short stories. Read short short stories. Don't even consider writing a novel! Make a list of what you are going to write or research that day, or hour, and follow through. Reward yourself if you complete the writing task. (Like a cup of tea, or trash TV show)

Every working writer, ADHD or not, has billions of story ideas running through their head, all the time. And every working writer has to mute the muse once in awhile.

Good luck,

January

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RE: I need some help - 12/29/2010 11:37:08 AM   
MercTech


Posts: 3706
Joined: 7/4/2006
Status: offline 		Scheduling... block of time and focus on the story then move on to the next.

Every successful writer I have known has worked to a schedule... you block time for the work, and stick to it.

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