ADHD Writing Tip: Resist the Urge to Start Something New... Some of the Time
- Claire Kohler
- Nov 1, 2023
- 1 min read
We ADHDers are great at starting new things.
We’re less great at finishing them.
Whether it’s from boredom, writer’s block, or a new idea calling out to us, finishing a story is a big challenge.
If you have a story that you believe in and/or you have a deadline for, my advice is this: resist the urge to start something new until you’re done with your current WIP.
If you take a break from it to start something new, it will be harder to come back and pick up where you left off. You’ll likely have forgotten some of the details, and you may end up accidentally mixing in elements from your second story that don’t fit well with the first one.
And there will always be a new idea you
could be chasing.
However, if you no longer believe in the story you’re working on, it is okay to put it aside to create something you can put your whole heart into. Use good judgment, rather than impulsively deciding to start something new just because your current WIP is less fun/easy than it used to be.
For more ADHD writing tips, check out my other blog posts.
I really appreciate your focus on the ADHDer's challenge of finishing projects versus the allure of new ideas. Your advice to resist starting something new when you still believe in your current WIP is crucial. It highlights the importance of discerning between genuine creative shifts and task avoidance driven by a common ADHD pattern. For many, simply recognizing this tendency is a huge step toward better productivity. If you're looking to gain further insight into how these patterns manifest, exploring and understanding your ADHD traits can provide a valuable foundation for applying these writing strategies effectively.