Hello
Everyone loves a success story.
I have a few. But when I am in the weeds, I don’t look for “success stories.” I look to fellow laborers for encouragement. This blog is about the process, the struggles, and, eventually, the victories.
“There is freedom waiting for you,
On the breezes of the sky,
And you ask “What if I fall?”
Oh but my darling,
What if you fly?”
This quote hangs in my office. It’s a personal reminder that fear is a dream-killer. It’s a reminder that, in this world that seems allergic to risk but salivates for the reward, the journey is part of and perhaps even more important than the result.
No one appreciates the last page of the novel without the preceding pages.
In this blog, I’m documenting my journey as a writer, particularly focusing on overcoming my mental health and quirky brain, and the arduous process of seeking publication.
On and off for the past 20 years, I’ve been writing an epic fantasy series with my mom. It started as a last-ditch effort for us to connect and improve our strained relationship. You see, we didn’t have much in common during my teen years.
My mom is the picture of steady, disciplined, and productive. Me? I have a psych rap sheet to make a therapist blush. Of course, I didn’t know this at the time. I presented as forgetful, moody, distracted, socially awkward, and, as my mom put, an insatiable free spirit.
In my adult years, I acquired labels for these traits: ADHD-inattentive type, Bi-Polar II, Dyslexia, and a thrilling Anxiety Disorder that left live concerts out of the question. I am not generally a fan of labels when they are used to dismiss or diminish people’s experiences. I have struggled for years to identify with these disorders for a number of reasons.
(1) Most people have an over-simplified and often ill-informed idea what these terms actually mean. (2) People with no actual diagnosis claim them all the time as “badges.” (3) I have fallen often into the trap of seeing these disorders as chipping away at my value as a person.
Speaking of labels. Theres a new one out there (along with a million others). This one, however, I find immensely helpful: Neurodivergent.
Here’s a handy online definition: “Neurodivergent is a non-medical term that describes people whose brains develop or work differently for some reason.”
It tends to be used by people with ADHD and autism. I like this term because it describes an overarching experience without a negative connotation. I cringe at the term “learning disability” because, while it’s accurate, it says more about the narrow avenue in which we expect learners to operate rather than the ability and potential of that particular learner. It also is kind of silly to use when you’re no longer in school.
I am starting this blog as a way to invite readers and writers into the writing process of a flag-waving neurodivergent. I will be honest about my struggles, celebrate victories, and try to keep the sarcasm to a minimum. It’s my first language.
If your a writer and fellow neurodivergent, I’d love to hear about your writing process, successes, and roadblocks. I’d like this space to be a resource for all writers looking for encouragement and community as they develop their stories and find ways to share them with the world.