Revising expectations as divergent thinkers

BY RAYYA LIEBICH

Like many creatives, I am happiest when I am inspired and in the flow of a project … but must accept that this is a finite place, and the “business of writing” involves many practical tasks. As an adult with a late diagnosis of AD(H)D, I am discovering why many aspects of the writing life are excruciating for me. With new awareness, I see the significant time and energy I need to go against neurotypical expectations, hold onto my focus, and keep discouragement at bay. For example, organizing my time and planning my schedule is a constant battle.

For years I thought my procrastination reflected my innate laziness, but I know now that this is the only way I can jump-start my focus. Instead of fighting the way I’m wired, I’ve shifted my mindset to practise acceptance, and trust that I will get it done. Here’s the proof!

But what about other roadblocks? How do writers who struggle with executive functioning get through the revisions, submissions, rejections, and practical details of a career in the arts? We need to come up with our own unique strategies through trial and error. The beautiful spreadsheets and tidy computer files might never be a solution. After many struggles and outside-the-box experiments, I’d like to offer some strategies that may help other writers like me.

“Go where the energy is.” —Natalie Goldberg

When you pay attention to what has emotional energy in your writing, you can slow down and focus on the craft skills to improve it. You may set out to write a succinct essay on parenting, but if your draft takes you down a detour to a moment in your childhood—forget about the original topic and see where this thread wants to lead you. Writing that is raw, rich, vulnerable, and alive is always the more interesting story.

No shortcuts—take the scenic route

There is no “correct” way to write a book and no point-A-to-point-B road map for larger works. If traditional narrative arcs haven’t worked for you, look to the forms on the margins. Discovering Nicole Breit’s “Outlier” classes of creative non-fiction revolutionized the way I saw writing into difficult material. If I could draw a picture to illustrate my process of completing a memoir, it would be a tangle of knots.

I started in micro-memoir paragraphs, I changed the manuscript to poetry, I then “unpoemed” the entire draft, and, after learning about fragmented forms through Nicole, entered sideways using non-linear forms to unveil my memories. Intense and time-consuming? Yes. Fulfilling and freeing? Absolutely. Tangles are rich, complex, and beautiful. I needed time and detours to be able to find my authentic voice and the right container.

Visual space as inspiration

My writing room is my sanctuary and I use every wall to remind me of what I’m doing and why. I have a blackboard with Post-It notes, with reminders and inspiration from my favourite authors. I’m looking at a quote by Rilke: “The work of the eyes is done. Go now and do the heartwork on the images imprisoned within you.” Bam! Good reminder for when I think I want the easy way out of a project. I also have a bulletin board where I track submissions with bright paper and highlighters. An Excel spreadsheet might appear more organized, but I need the large format and personal penmanship to own it.

Celebrate the wins!

When anything positive happens in your creative life, mark it with a gesture of celebration. I keep a bottle of bubbles at the ready—just in case some good news comes my way. I also create a list of small wins throughout the month that I hang on a banner above my desk. It is remarkable how all the little wins add up to a long list at the end of the month and a long banner at the end of the year.

Create community

Writing is a solitary act, but the vocation of being a writer is too hard to do alone. There are many wonderful groups to join and starting your own writing circle can give your creative life a great boost. I recently joined Chelene Knight’s Forever Writers Club and marvel at the organized platforms with craft modules, writing prompts, and live workshops. This club reminds me that building a sustainable practice means leaning in on other creatives and that my mindset is what will allow me to carry on writing forever. I also teach creative writing classes, and this keeps me learning and engaged with other creative minds. In reflecting on the lifelines I’ve created to keep up my motivation and persevere, I can see how, without these tools, I would have given up a long time ago. Whatever your tools, your personal hacks, or your unique operating system, I hope you develop ways to stay connected to the pulse of creativity and the privilege of being a writer. And finally, being an artist is hard work: where can you find ways to make it a little more fun?

Rayya Liebich (she/ her) is a writer and educator of Lebanese and Polish descent. She is the author of the awardwinning chapbook Tell Me Everything (Beret Day Press) and the full-length poetry collection Min Hayati (Inanna Publications). She finds joy in teaching creative writing classes in Nelson, BC.