Distractable = ADHD
I’ve been working on a revision of the 365 Tips O the Day book and I got about 65% finished on the final draft, number 11. When it’s done I can publish it.
Well, writing is the easy part, editing is hard, and the publishing is a booger. A set up for procrastination.
We went on a lovely two week vacation and a novel popped into my head. That had never happened before. I had no intention of writing a novel. But these characters were suddenly living in my head and I was recording their lives and adventures. I finished the first draft in two weeks.
My wife read part of it and didn’t like it. A friend read it and also didn’t like it because she didn’t like the main character, Alma. I can see that Alma is not all that likeable although I like her. My friend also said I needed more dialogue so I’m putting that into the second draft. The characters are allowing me to hear their conversations. Putting the conversations in follows the writing principle of showing, not telling.
I wonder, “Is this the best use of my time?” I think not, but – “Why do writers write?” “Because they have to.”
Since we got back the El Paso shooting happened and I’ve been very involved in a program about gun violence. (You can check us out on facebook, Too Many Deaths. We’re trying to get organized.)
Strategy:
I haven’t really come up with one but I’ve decided not to worry about it. I’ll probably finish the novel first because it has a stronger motivation right now. I’ll finish them both anyway, so what difference does it make?
Tip:
Double check to see if what you’re concerned about really needs that concern.
doug
Quote O the Day:
“Don’t worry; be happy.”
Bonus Quote O the Day:
BREAKING NEWS!! Man adjusts to society after two decades of being raised by family!
Personal Note O the Day:
I’m retiring at the end of the month. I hope to finish the books, maybe start another one, or not; do a blog a week, fish more, learn more guitar and more spanish, and especially spend more time doing things with my wife.
Links:
Marriage and other similar relationships
Bonus Tip O the Day:
Ram on finding the lost i phone using a tracker:
“Hi Doug! I use a Garmin Vivofit. I just checked: it works even if the phone is set to silent + Do Not Disturb mode. 🙂”
My ADHD Mind
Snuck up on me!
@addstrategies #adhd #add @dougmkpdp
ADDadultstrategies 
Hi Doug,
Yes on the novel! Have fun with it! Play!
On the tips of the day book, the prior version is still available, so it is not like someone can’t access it.
I tend to jump from one project to another and always seem to have multiple projects in my head. Sometimes when I am having difficulty with one I jump to another and sometimes that can be a problem, especially when I need to get the difficult project done for some reason. My main issue though is in wasting time on screens, so getting projects done is usually a plus, whatever they are. I’ve noticed too that they come around cyclically, so I now plan on that and don’t give up just because I lose interest or jump to something else. One of my difficult issues is when I am pulled between something I “should” do and something I want to do. Often I don’t do what I want to do because I “should” be doing something else, but don’t do what I “should” do because I don’t feel like it or some other inertia and instead get sucked into some “shiny” thing that is right in front of me, like a screen and end up wasting time. It might have been better to just let myself do the thing I wanted, instead of wasting the time…
Thank you for your blog!
All the best, Scott
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Scott- I know what you mean. thank you for your positive comments and for commenting.
the new book is improved and will be in print as well as e book
doug
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Your book (your life can be better) has helped me a lot. Hope you will continue to post here and look forward to reading previous posts.
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n. am. – i am so pleased to hear this. i do plan to continue the posts and hope to me a little more consistent, trying for one every week.
thank you for commenting
doug
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I thought you were already retired?
re: writing, I think what you’re doing is great. can’t wait to read the novel when it comes out.
hobbies don’t have to necessarily be a “good” use of time do they?
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nope, retire next monday.
habbies i think by definition are not a waste of time. good point.
just seemed more productive to work on the other book but now i see it differently. thank you
and always thanks for your comments.
doug
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This is awesome! Relate to every single word /mood/point/tone/subject of it! Thank you for expressing yourself the way you do. And being so real.
>
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nobox
well thank you for commenting. uplifting my day.
best wishes
doug
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