#Not Gonna Lie i miss having a structured daily routine and feeling like i spend my time on something productive/useful. my adhd needs that

[nitw]

i can't believe i'll be in school again soon i haven't been to any kind of school in like 2 years. terrifying. outrageous. but also exicting

[giggles-and-freckles]

(Sorry for how long this got, conciseness is not my strongsuit)

Hey, so I've always loved writing, but actually doing creative things has always been difficult for me because (backstory, mental health, trauma etc. You know the drill)

BUT

Recently, a game inspired me to write fanfic, and I've written almost every day for more than a week! I even missed a day and didn't entirely fall off the bandwagon!

So my biggest concern is burnout, and I'm wondering if I could get some tips on how to maintain your writing schedule/routine without overdoing it

1) do you ever say to yourself "today, I'm not going to expend any creative energy, I'm just gonna consume things"? How often does that happen?

2) When you suddenly get an awesome idea and write down an unplanned story that meets your writing goal for the day, do you still work on whatever project you had lined up, or do you usually count that as your progress for the day?

3) If you do a lot of brainstorming/outlining (and actually write it down rather than just thinking it lol), do you count that towards your writing progress for the day?

Again sorry for how long this is, and no rush or pressure, but I really like your work and id love to hear your thoughts!

Hello hello!! Okay, so I’ll be completely honest...I don’t have a ton of real strategy, because I’m very-much an off-the-cuff type of person. But I’ll share what I’ve got!! And oh ho, did I get about lengthy myself. Yikes.

1) Absolutely. So a lot of authors who are better than I do have this idea of a “writing goal.” I’m not going to lie–I don’t have this. For no other reason than exactly what you’re saying...burnout! I only write when I want to. Again, most authors would probably say this is bad practice and that I should push you through to get something down on page. I totally respect this mentality!! For me, though–writing is only the way I express myself, creatively. As soon as I let it become something more, it’s no longer an outlet for me. SO if I don’t want to write: I don’t. I have never ever forced myself to write something and because of this, I feel like I have never experienced this burnout. Which cycles back and means I don’t have many days where I don’t want to write.

I’m not sure if that made sense, so here it is simply: if I don’t want to write, I don’t. I give myself a break for the day. Because of that one day break or whatever it is I need, I don’t need those breaks very often. I would say in a period of a month, I take four or five days to not write purely because I don’t want to...and maybe three or four more because I was busy or had other things to take care of. 

2) Not to be redundant, but it’s the same thing here for me! I write what I want. This is probably frustrating for readers in the multi-chapter sense, because it means I’m not very consistent there. And here is part of me that’s like “aw dang, I should have worked on that��� but then I remind myself that I’ve never felt like that about other authors. I’m just happy when they write something! So I try not to hold myself to the same standard. 

I will say, though–if something is giving me a tough time and that’s why I keep avoiding it...I will pressure myself a bit to do some deep excavation. For example, I’m writing an Ilum scene for a fic right now and the imagery is just very difficult for me for whatever reason. So I honestly just ignored it for almost a month. Finally this week, I sat down and was like “okay. today...we fix the Ilum scene.” It’s not necessarily what I wanted to work on with the time I set aside to write, but I knew if I didn’t do it, it would stay a wip forever. And after spending an hour reworking some big parts...I’m genuinely excited to finish it now! 

But if you have an idea and you’re vibing with it–even if it’s something you don’t think you’ll do anything with for months–write it down. Immediately. And keep going until you can’t go anymore. Your future self will thank you!

3) I.........almost never outline. Oops. But sometimes getting an idea down is all I have the mental capacity to do! And so yes, I absolutely count it and stop there if that’s all my brain can do that day.

I think my entire approach to writing is that it’s an exercise that is good and exhilarating for my brain. As soon as it becomes something more stressful or tense, I’m not okay with that. So if giving yourself deadlines and daily writing goals is what you need to structure yourself and find that exhilaration, do it!! Or–you may be like me and find that simply sitting down with your computer, a cup of tea, and no real plan is all the structure you need. Might get a few sentences down, might get a few chapters. 

But however you approach writing–you should feel better when you get up from the chair than when you sat down.

[b00bstone]

All the even numbers!

thats a lot. and 72 was repeated twice but i had to renumber them since i copied and pasted adn forgot it was repeated. but anyway. 

2. Are you outgoing or shy?

mostly shy i think but i can be outgoing if im comfortable. 

4 Are you easy to get along with?

not really. i can be quite moody. and i unfortunately have a short temper (which im trying to work on) and im depressed adn suicidal so i think the answer is no. 

6 What kind of people are you attracted to?

smart funny ones. 

8Who from the opposite gender is on your mind?

my friend the nerd because i was talking to them and my friend rabbit earlier. 

10Who was the last person you had a deep conversation with?

probs my therapist since we talked just earlier today.

12What are your 5 favorite songs right now?

1.awkward by hailey knox

2 beautiful girl by sara barielles 

3. plot twist by sigrid

4 waving through a window from dear evan hansen 

and 5. dissapear also from dear evan hansen.

14Do you believe in luck and miracles?

yeah but my luck is shitty and miracles happen to other people. so basically yes but not for me lmao

16Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?

yeah. if she were down. but like shes really straight. so i doubt she would be.

18Do you still talk to your first crush?

occasionally. hes a dick now tho. fraternity guy. and voted for trump.

20Do you like your neighbors?

well the ones i know are pretty cool. 

22Where would you like to travel?

narnia. one of those planets they discovered that are super far away but similar to earth. but like on this planet? probs travel around europe. 

24Favorite part of your daily routine?

going to bed. 

26What do you do when you wake up?

lie there and try to go back to sleep. 

28Who are you most comfortable around?

probs my friend rabbit.

30Do you ever want to get married?

one day yeah. but only if i find the right person u know. 

32Which celebrities would you have a threesome with?

oohhhh ummm hmmm. chris pratt. aubrey plaza and john boyega. i feel like aubrey would bring a sarcastic element which would help with the pressure and nervousness and john and chris. well u can just see in their eyes that theyre really gentle people that will treat u right. 

34do you play sports? What sports?

hahaha no. ive always wanted to dance and/or be on a swimteam. but my lungs hate me

36Have you ever liked someone and never told them?

i think ive only told like 1 or 2 people that ive liked that i liked them. and ive liked a lot of people so yes. i have hidden that i liked someone before. many many times.

38Describe your dream girl/guy?

theyre taller than me. i dunno why but ive always liked wavy/curly hair. not blonde. or brunette. so that leaves unnatural hair color or black or red. good bone structure. theyre really smart. like they know lots of stuff academically but theyre also just generally smart u know. and they know lots of lil random facts about random things. really nice. but not in like a sugar nice way but more like sun beams when it feels like theyre warming u from the inside kinda nice. kind eyes. color doesnt really matter since i keep changing my mind. strong. but not necessarily muscular. i want them to be able to pick me up and twirl me around but not like theyve got a sixpack or anything. sixpacks are kinda weird looking tbh. wed have to have most of the same values. not too talkative but not like ALWAYS quiet. theyd prefer staying in most weekend and watchng shows but dont mind the occassional night out. theyd like the beach. because what kind of crazy person doesnt like the beach (people that dont beach right thats who). theyd also like biking and hiking and swimming. very much an animal person. not lazy. good listener. intuitive. would understand that some days i just cant fucking stand physical touch. and others i crave it in a way ive never craved anything before. and other days its kinda meh whatever. people that take interest in what im interested in because im interested in it. and whose interests are cool. because i love to take interest in things my friends are interested in but sometimes its so boring. nothing particular comes to mind. but im sure its happened. someone who doesnt check up on me when im crying. because tbh i hate it when people do that. unless its through texting or a phone call. but like people in person asking “are u ok?” while im sobbing my eyes out? fuck no go away. someone who understands that im really fucking bad with words. and sometimes me trying to say something will take a while and it may not make sense. theyd be patient. they wouldnt mock me. or be manipulative. and i think this list is long enough.

40What do you want to do after high school?

travel the world and end up famous, but not like papparazzi following me famous. famous like i appear on snl every once in a while and drop bangers or rad filsm or whatever i do and thats all.  what will i probs end up doing? crying a lot and going to community college. and applying to as many colleges as i have the energy to. 

42If your being extremely quiet what does it mean?

it might mean im busy. or just listening. or really pissed off. or upset. or just have nothing to say. 

44Trip to outer space or bottom of the ocean?

space. 

46What are you paranoid about?

everything

48Have you ever been drunk?

not yet. but sometimes i want to be

50What was the colour of the last hoodie you wore?

blue i think?

52 One thing you wish you could change about yourself?

everything. but like one specific thing? id like to get rid of my depression, fears, and this brain fog that haunts me

.54 Favourite store?

trader joes or target

56Favourite color?

yellow

58 Last thing you ate?

well rn im eating plain potato chips and mayo (please dont judge me. i know its disgusting)

60Ever won a competition? For what?

i used to do mma i won like one or two of those. i also run a riding competition once. 

62Been arrested? For what?

not yet. but im sure one day i will be.

64tell us the story of your first kiss?

we were in her parents bathroom and were 7. thats all i remember. havent kissed anyone since. which isnt for lack of wanting to.

68Do you like your tumblr friends more than your real friends?

i dont really have any tumblr friends that arent my real friends yet? so like i cant answer that.

70 Twitter or Tumblr?

well i spend all my time here and not on twitter so lets go with tumblr. altho i do have a twitter im never on

72Names of your best friends?

adi, heather, rabecca, joaquin, celestine. 

74What colour are your towels?

blue, red and white. and theres some hawaiin print ones and a yellow one. 

76How many pillows do you sleep with?

3... 

78How many stuffed animals do you think you have?

like 40? dont judge. i kept asking as a kid and my parents kept giving them to me for christmas and my birthday. they should have stopped. 

80What colour is your underwear?

rn its grey. but its not the only color i have

82Favourite ice cream flavor?

fuck. ummmmm coffee?

84What colour pants?

rn theyre black. but on the front of the thighs they have zebra striping. 

86Favourite movie?

thats not an easy question to answer. im gonna say bringing up baby just because. 

90Mean Girls or 21 Jump Street?

both? i mean i prefer mean girls a lil more bu 21 jumpstreet isnt bad either

92 Favourite character from Finding Nemo?

dory. we are both scatterbrained. 

94Last person you talked to today?

adi. but like in person? rabbit and the nerd. 

96Name a person you love?

celestine. (not romantically)

98In a fight with someone?

not as far as i know. but i always kinda feel like im in a fight with monkey. 

100How many sweaters/hoodies do you have?

like 4? i know i know i dont have very many. 

102Favourite actress?

aubrey plaza. 

104Do you tan a lot?

nope. i try at least once every summer. but my skin either stays as pale as snow or i burn really bad then my skin shift to a slightly more offwhite shade of snow. 

106. How are you feeling?

blergh. potato chips and mayo are really gross. and im tired and sick of people telling me shit. 

108Do you regret anything from your past?

i regret everything ive ever done. 

110Do you miss anyone from your past?

well there is this one guy i used to talk to but i miss the attention and not him so that doesnt count. i kinda miss a friend of mine named shannon from elementary school sunday school

112Ever broken someone’s heart?

i dont think so. 

114What should you be doing?

school. but ive given up on that. so. 

.116 Have you ever liked someone so much it hurt?

oh yeah. ive liked 2 peoplethat much. altho i barely knew the first person and it was more me projecting my ideals of the prefect person onto them. 

118Who was the last person you cried in front of?

probs my therapist. 

120Have you ever been out of your province/state?

yeah. i was just in virginia last week. i live in california so id say thats definitely out of state. 

122Are you listening to music right now?

nope. 

124Do you like Chinese food?

americanized or traditional? americanized: yessss that shit i shte bomb. traditional? i dont know ive never had it. 

126Are you afraid of the dark?

yes. very. i need a light source or i start to panic. 

.128 Is cheating ever okay?

like on a partner or on a test or something? on a partner? no way. u should never do that. like thatll really fuck them up and make them mistrustful for the rest of their life. on a test? if its necessary sure go for it. i dont care. im not ur teacher. 

130Do you believe in love at first sight?

yeah. but its not something thatll ever happen to me lmao.

132. Are you currently bored?

im always bored. 

134 Would you change your name?

last name? yes 100% absolutely. first name? maybe. 

136Do you like subway?

like the sandwich shop? fuck no! the first time i ate it i threw up. the second time was ok. and thei third time i got serious stomach cramps afterwards. it was these awful sharp shooting pains all through my stomach. 

138Who’s the last person you had a deep conversation with?

probs my therapist. 

140Can you count to one million?

theoretically? yes. but will i? no 

142Do you sleep with your doors open or closed?

closed! my closet freaks me out but the office across from my bedroom freaks me out more. and also like i dont want cats walking on my face. or to wake up at 7 am and find that my dog has taken up the very middle of the bed. 

144Curly or Straight hair?

rn? mostly straight. but when it gets longer it kinda curls a  lil. 

146Summer or Winter?

yes. i like both. dont make me choose. 

148 Favourite month?

july. thats when im born so it has to be my fav. 

150Dark, milk or white chocolate?

milk

152Was today a good day?

no. 

154What’s your favourite quote?

in the beginning the universe was created a lot of people regard t as a bad move. and i messed that quote up. but yeah. 

156Get the closest book next to you, open it to page 42, what’s the first line on that page?

the terms braided and woven refer to the structure of the elastic.