Road blocks or self-inflicted detours: Part two

Map in hand, I climbed into the driver's seat but never made it to the road that led to my destination. Stops, none of which were life threatening if left undone, detoured me. Next, Joe called. Thanks to him I had to postpone the trip. After all, it isn't every day that a good friend drops into town. How can you  refuse a beer or two with the old gang?

Road blocks to my writing have nothing to do with how, where, what, or when.

The best made plans are useless without action. Writing a novel demands writing or it will remain in your head or dated computer file.

Novels require writing

Two practices that moved me into writing mode:

• Writing daily
• Setting a word count 

Writing daily sets a positive habit. It becomes a ritual. It's as important to me as the morning cup of coffee.   

Set word count goals rather than time goals. (Sitting at the writing desk for four hours may produce nothing more than a numb butt.) Establish the minimum number of words that must be written before stopping the session. Give yourself permission to exceed the goal, and don't be shy about increasing the goal.

Distraction and urge to move

I have ADHD. How do I stay glued to the writing chair? Stand, sit, stretch. All of these can be done within four or five seconds. Sitting for long periods isn't healthy. Movement is good. Alternate standing and sitting while writing.

Distractions: That's the biggest one for me. I am compelled to check out noises, even familiar sounds. I hear the sound of the refrigerator door being opened and the race is on between Annie the labradoodle and me. 

Headsets and your music of choice. Music keeps me on task and drowns noise distractions.


Parting words: Sign off the internet. Close it up. No social networking, no research, no surfing, and no excuses no matter what the clever prefrontal cortex says.

Visit my website and give me a hello.

Writing the novel with ADHD: Part one

The novel idea strikes. Jot down ideas immediately before they fly out of your head as quickly as they land.

Prepare a notebook. I use spiral notebooks. I write the title (it can be changed) on the cover. I avoid fancy and pretty, but insist on organizing the information into sections to prevent wasting time leafing through the pages. My daughter calls my system organized chaos, but it works. I use small sized post-its visible from the top to label sections: Plot/Outline, Characters, Setting, Research, Miscellaneous. Add sections as needed.



Carry a small notebook in your pocket or handbag that follows your every step. Transfer the notes into the novel notebook. Include those written on napkins, business cards, and body parts because you left your carry notebook at home.

Outline the plot. It is important to have a map.
This includes the story outline. My outlines vaguely resemble the form learned in school, or the one I taught students. The purpose is to guide you along the way. It's for your eyes only until you become famous and it surfaces to haunt and embarrass after you're dead and gone.





The ADHD mind can work for rather than against the writer. Visuals, creativity, and abundance of ideas are wasted without a system of organization. Develop yours from the beginning.




Visit Paul Keene's website.    

Map it out

The novel is stuck in my head-I know it front to back. I know how it ends, begins, and all the stuff between. All I need do is sit (or stand) and write, write, write. Right?

Wrong.

Make a map while the novel is in your head. Point A-Start, Point B-End. Map out the stops, turns, and twists that lie between points A and B. The pot holes, road blocks, storms, accidents. Events that make the trip unpredictable, challenging,   adventuress, spell-binding, exciting, and filled with suspense. The page turners.

Writing a novel without a map is similar to taking a road trip across the country to a destination never traveled. Delays, wrong turns, stops for direction, and getting lost.

ADHD writers are the most likely to understand the need for mapping, but are least likely to use one. Sometimes, I need a map to ensure I make it from office to the kitchen for a coffee refill.

1. Coffee cup empty 
2. Take coffee cup in hand, leave desk
3. Stop by bathroom
4. Arrive in kitchen
5. No cup
6. Go to office to retrieve cup
7. No cup
8. Mind races-"who, what, why, where . . .?"
9. Go to bathroom
10. Retrieve cup, and go to kitchen

Too many restraints, too confining, stilted, loss of creativity, you say? Not at all. In fact, you are free to take side trips, alternate routes, and unplanned stops. The difference being you will know where you're going and therefore, the effect unplanned charting will have. As long as you get back on the main route and reach the destination all is well, and the trip (novel) is enhanced.

If you are not mapping, I urge you to start. Meanwhile, I need to locate my coffee cup and back to completing Between the Pieces, Book 2 of Running Nowhere trilogy.