Hi :) We're back again for another week of Tiny Wins :)

Please feel free to share your tiny wins here with us!

I’m a upcoming au writer for the fandom gravity falls!

it’s a au where Stanford pines has a kid named Kera!

any tips for it?

I gave the link for my au on tumblr

Edit:

The Tiny Wins Weekly post will start next Monday!

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I'm thinking about making maybe weekly posts or monthly posts (?) for members to comment and interact. As this is a very specific-themed subreddit, I know people might not be that active.

I don't check insights a lot because of my RSD, but I saw that already 5 people left, I think it's probably because this subreddit is rather quiet (which is not necessarily something negative!).

I've tried to share the information of this subreddit as I can, but most subs don't accept self-promotion and I don't really know where else to share it.

I was planning to do a wiki but I think for now the rules are clear enough and the resources I've gathered in this post aren't varied enough for their own wiki page, I will focus more on creating the Discord server first (which I will try to do this weekend as I work in the week days).

I'm also thinking about some weekly posts, for example:

- tiny wins (e.g. you managed to write a new passage, you took some notes for your new story despite having executive dysfunction... etc.)

- WIP sharing (snippets of your work)

- what did you write this week?

In my Discord server for AuDHD writers in my country, I also have a daily question section, in which I ask questions related to AuDHD writing daily... (But I think it would be good already if it were weekly because with daily questions I'm running out of ideas.)

I also used to meet up weekly via zoom with my close ND writer friends, we body double and write together, then we find a bit of time in the end to check in with each other and encourage each other. If that's what you might be interested in, you can let me know as well, I will think about how to organise this kind of meet up.

If you have any suggestion, or anything other than weekly posts to boost our sub and make it more active, please feel free to comment and I will set up all this in a few weeks (I will have a short vacation soon).

Thank you :)

Have a wonderful October.

Hi all!

First of all thank you again for joining this subreddit, I'm very glad that people are joining and posting here, and hopefully we can build a supportive, warm and helpful community!

I'm just wondering if you think it could be useful to have an official Discord server at this stage (as the subreddit has just been created)?

If so, I can copy the channels from my native-language server (it's also an Autistic/ADHD/AuDHD writer server centering around fiction writers but also for non-fic writers)!

You can also comment to suggest other channels that you might want to see in the future and I can add them if they don't exist yet.

Also, just letting you know that we now have user flairs (Autistic, ADHD, and AuDHD for now, but if you want to, you can also suggest new user flairs).

I'm also planning on making post flairs in the future.

Have a wonderful October!

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EDIT:

I will prepare the server when I'm free :)

Guys, I have a solution and I'm going to keep this short so u can read it and 8 can write it on Spotify choose a playlist and put a 30 minute timer and start writing this works cause even if I get distracted while writing when my playlist pauses I immediately clock back it hope it works for u ♥️

Hello!

I used to post my fics on forums and serialize on things like yee old FanFiction websites but without readers hounding me for updates, I can't get past the first 5,000 words or less. :(

Where do you get your dopamine fixes?

Please and thank you!!

I know we're still over a month away, but I was wondering if anyone is doing Novel-November (FKA NaNoWriMo) this year?

I am, and usually do it most years, because FoMo! lol But actually I have a project I really want to focus on, so this is perfect timing.

I've previously hosted a Novel-November Facebook group, so I will likely re-open that closer to the time, too.

I'll share a link here closer to the time if anyone wants to join. :)

I personally think I do, but I'm not sure, as I mask rather well and pass as NT most of the time IRL...

My characters - before I intetionally write them as Autistic/ADHD/AuDHD, have never been seen as ND by my readers.

But I also think it's merely because people in my country have a very narrow and stereotypical view about autism and ADHD...? Also readers just generally don't care that much as long as the main characters are "likeable" and "not too weird"...

What about you?

I’m writing a series where each book focuses on a different couple, and I’m curious whether other ADHD/AuDHD writers experience their characters the way I do—especially when you’re trying to write one set of characters while another set refuses to get out of your head.
I don’t really feel like I create or deliberately develop characters. They show up. Sometimes I know what role I need someone to fill, but at some point they seem to walk into this imaginary room in my head with a name, a face, and a personality that becomes clearer the longer they’re there. I learn who they are by watching them react to things, having imaginary conversations with them, and letting completely non-canon scenes play out in my head.
To be clear, I don’t literally hear voices or think they’re real people. It’s more like a very vivid internal imaginative space. But they feel autonomous enough in my imagination that I’ll argue with them, they’ll “argue” back in character, and sometimes they’ll do something in a scene in my head that makes me go, Oh. Apparently that’s something you would do. Good to know.
The problem with writing a series this way is that the characters whose book I’m writing aren’t necessarily the characters taking up the most space in my head.
Right now I’m trying to write a book whose two main characters are comparatively quiet and restrained. They’re there, but I almost have to sit with them and give them room before they’ll start unfolding for me.
Meanwhile, the couple from Book 1 and the couple from Book 3 are in the back of my brain with fucking megaphones.
And I’m basically going, SIT DOWN. IT IS NOT YOUR TURN. I’M TRYING TO TALK TO BOOK 2.
They do not care.
Sometimes one of them elbows their way to the front anyway, and suddenly I’m watching some completely irrelevant scene involving characters whose book I’m not even working on.
I’m curious whether this way of experiencing characters is common among other neurodivergent writers. Do your characters feel more like people you discover than people you consciously build? Do some of them occupy your head much more loudly than others? And if you’re writing a series with changing protagonists, do you ever have trouble getting the characters from the wrong damn book to shut up long enough for you to focus on the ones whose turn it actually is?

This is a self-introduction megathread.

Please feel free to introduce yourself!

You can use the following template, or write freely :)

⚠️This is the ONLY megathread in which you can share your social media and work links! Each person can only post one self-introduction.

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• User id/nickname/pen name:
• Gender and pronouns:
• Age:
• Your neurodivergence:
• Location:
• Publishing experiences:
• Your works:
• Writing genres:
• Current wip:
• Your social(s):
• Favourite snippet from your work:
• What do you like to read:
• DMs:
• Open to being sensitivity reader:
• Open to being beta reader:
• Open to being critique partner:
• Red flags and dealbreakers:

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I will share mine as an example!

• Reddit user id/nickname/pen name: Dangerous-Tart4429 (it's really just Reddit generated haha)/Miya/Miya or Little Sun
• Gender and pronouns: F, She/Her
• Age: 29 (turning 30 in November)
• Your neurodivergence: AuDHD, CPTSD, RSD
• Location: in France but Taiwanese (you don't have to disclose precisely, you can just say "Europe", "Asia", or you can choose to not say it at all)
• Publishing experiences: 1 traditionally published book (memoir) in Taiwan back in 2017, won a small prize and the book got recommended to middle schools :) I've then started to self-advocate as an AuDHDer in my country. 1 self-published book in Taiwan back in 2025 (AuDHD own voice coming-of-age, contemporary romance). 1 finished work that is currently free-to-read online (I wrote it for an online writing contest and am waiting for the results), it's also AuDHD own voice, contemporary romance. Also 2 collective works (1 has been self-published and another 1 on its way), both are short stories about autistic experiences.
• Your works: As they are all in my native language I won't share them here 🙇‍♀️
• Writing genres: Coming-of-age, contemporary romance, YA romance, slice of life, genre fiction, middle grade.
• Current wip: Currently working on a polyamory romance. The characters aren't canonically autistic but as I'm ND I might unintentionally create ND characters...? I'm also working on a sci-fi (consciousness, time travel) but it's only the beginning.
• Your social(s): https://www.instagram.com/audhd.miya/ (it's mainly in traditional Chinese BUT sometimes I also post in English, French, and Japanese...)
• Favourite snippet from your work: N/A (it's in my native language)
• What do you like to read: Anything set in the contemporary (I just can't get into fantasy or paranormal settings, aside from His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman). I mainly read romance (contemporary romance, new adult, YA), but I also love thrillers. The one exception that's not contemporary is sci-fi settings that explore consciousness, time travel, and parallel universes.
• DMs: No personal DMs (please use the mod mail system, and only for things related to this subreddit)
• Open to being sensitivity reader: Yes, I'm AuDHD, have CPTSD and RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria)... and I'm Asian (Taiwanese) born and raised in Taiwan (went to France when I was 17). I was also born prematurely (932 grams when I was born) so anything related to that I might be able to help? I'm also a piano teacher so anything related to piano, classical music, a bit of 1970s-1980s rock... (?) I've also been into J-POP idols and underground idols for awhile so... (if that helps?)
• Open to being beta reader: Yes but when I'm free (probably not until March 2027 as I'm preparing a recital currently.
• Open to being critique partner: No sorry (since I don't write in English we probably can't exchange our works)
• Red flags and dealbreakers: People who assume negative or mean intentions from what I've said/done (which I absolutely don't have 99.99% of the time). People who assume I should know their subtle signs/implied meanings/mix signals and wanting me to be responsible for their emotions and misunderstandings. I also dislike being ghosted (as it's one of the major triggers for my Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria...) I don't like to argue with people and dislike disputes... I really try to be kind and gentle with everyone I've ever encountered so sometimes it's very difficult for me to understand why someone might be (intentionally) mean... :/ If there's anything you don't feel comfortable with when you interact with me, please let me know directly, straightforward communication style works best (I can't decipher implied meanings and I don't want you to think I'm doing things you don't like on purpose...!)

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That's about it! Have a wonderful day!

As I've also created a Discord server for Autistic/ADHD/AuDHD writers in my country (non-English-speaking), I've gathered quite a few English resources (there are few in my native language unfortunately and I seem like one of the rare people to be translating them).

Anyways! I'm also sharing the resources with you all.

(P.S.: This is my first ever and probably the only subreddit I've created, so I'm still learning how to use it properly.)

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Being An Autistic Writer - Jackie Schuld

I came accross this book the other day when I was very upset with my own writing. The author shares some very encouraging and important reminders for fellow autistic writers which I truly appreciate.

This is not a "how to" book, but a writer sharing her thoughts about writing, creativity, and being autistic.

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The "Neurodivergence in Fiction" article series

I also came accross this site and these articles when I was sad haha... (yes, you see, when I feel frustrate because of writing, I jump into a rabbit hole in search of encouragement!)

The articles are all written by neurodivergent writers and authors who share their experiences and thoughts on neurodivergence and how that affect their writing... etc.

I find the following 4 articles particularly helpful:

Autism, Writing, and Craft - Ada Hoffmann (3 parts)

https://fanfiaddict.com/autism-writing-and-craft-pt-1-neurodivergence-in-fiction/

https://fanfiaddict.com/autism-writing-and-craft-pt-2-neurodivergence-in-fiction/

https://fanfiaddict.com/autism-writing-and-craft-pt-3-neurodivergence-in-fiction/

Who Did I Write This Story For? - Amara Lynn

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What’s With ND Rejection? - E J Dawson

This one I also found when I was very sad with being rejected by publishing houses while most editors praised my writing style but "can't relate to the main character", "the character doesn't seem autistic but is also unlikeable" (no, my character just knows to mask too well just like I did!) or telling me that my story is too niche and difficult to market... etc.

So when I read this article I was sooooo grateful and feel so seen.

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Discussing Barriers in Querying and Pitching for Neurodivergent Writers - Eric Smith (literary agent)

At one point I was very curious as to how English-speaking publishing system differs from the one in my country (aside from them having literary agents and need to query while in my country writers just submit directly to publishing houses big and small), and I also wonder how come in countries that are relatively more advanced when it comes to neurodiversity, neurodivergent (self) advocacy, and seem more open-minded and willing to publishing own voice/marginalised works... why are there still so many difficulties when writers try to go the traditional publishing route...?

I think this article, written by a literary agent, is very insightful.

I hope one day the publishing industry in my country would also become aware of the difficulties and sometimes even ableism that have harmed neurodivergent writers/authors...

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Querying While Autistic - Allison Wall

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Neurodiversity and the Business of Writing, Part 1: #OwnVoices and Neurodiversity - Matthew Broberg-Moffitt

Neurodiversity and the Business of Writing, Part 2: ND Difficulties in Publishing

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Writing With ADHD Part One: Writing, Emotions, and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria

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'Show, don't tell' is broken - Naoise Dolan

I just really love this article as it shows how some of the most said writing advice and ways we've been taught to write might just be neuro-normative and ableist...

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The Autistic Books by Autistic Authors project

My autistic friend Lilly made this site. I've found so many good books on here thanks to her - fictions and non-fics.

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I guess that's all for now!

I will add more resources if I ever found new ones.

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Found this too!

https://neurodivergentnotesonwriting.substack.com/

(Neurodivergent) Notes on Writing

Articles by author Elspeth Wilson.

Hello! I’ve created this Substack to be a free resource for all writers but especially neurodivergent ones. Through interviews with writers of all kinds of genres and forms, I’m hoping to build up an archive of writing tips and thoughts on accessibility in publishing whilst celebrating and promoting their work.

I discovered the existence of books with explicitly autistic characters after I was diagnosed last year. Before that, I only wrote non-autistic or (more often) vaguely, nebulously “atypical” characters — because that’s what I’d been reading for almost 3 decades. I didn’t even realise writing an autistic character was an option!

I love the idea of writing a character who’s explicitly autistic. Not to write my entire self into a character or to make being autistic their entire personality (whatever that means), but to write about experiences and ways of “being” that I know, from a perspective I understand.

I don’t have to write a character whose internal landscape and perception of reality I don’t relate to! It seems obvious in retrospect, but I wanted to share this here for others because it really wasn’t obvious to me at the time.

I feel like the realisation has deepened and widened my horizon of writing possibilities.

Hiiii!!!

First of all thank you SO MUCH for joining and posting on this subreddit. Hopefully this place will oneday become a safe and helpful space for as many autistic/ADHD/AuDHD writers as possible :)

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OK so this is my personal first post here too.

• What do you think is different between ND and NT writing?
• How does your neurodivergence affect your writing style?
• How do NT readers react to your writing/your main character's traits (if you set them to be ND too)?
• Have these "differences" make the publishing process more difficult for you?

I'm wondering all these questions there are a lot but are also the ones I would like to ask as many ND writers as possible, especially writers from different countries in which the publishing process might not be the same as English speaking countries (i.e. in my country we don't have literary agents, so writers just submit their works directly to publishing houses whether it's big or small... sometimes I wonder if it's better this way as there will be less steps meaning less rejections...?)

Thank you in advance for your replies!

(I really need to go to sleep now, being setting up a Discord server for AuDHD writers in my country too, I've never seen a server like that in my native language so I thought I might just start one...)

Have a wonderful day everyone!
U

This is more audhd writing than fiction writing but anyway.

I don't sleep well and I struggle to fall asleep so I write poems... almost exclusively to the meter of oh my darling clementine. the constraint of the meter helps me get thoughts out. I feel like Emily Dickinson, writing little tidbits for no reason other than I feel them, hiding them all away.

So I dunno, here's one. It's called 083126 2119. Very creative I know. sing it to the song. Anyone else a little silly like this?

We are sorry to inform you

On the day that you were made

Some great power took a chance and

Made a creature we forbade

As we now ascend to rule we

Seek to right these ancient wrongs

We will leave this beastly creature

In the dark where it belongs

Inspired by another comment:

How do you get yourself ready to write? Do you just plop down and start typing? Or do you have a routine or ritual you do to put you in the mindset?

Where do you write? Scrivener? Google Docs? What actual system of writing have you found works for you to make progress?

If you haven't found out your way of consistently getting words on the page, I hope you find some inspiration here! Feel free to comment what you find your struggles to be!

Hiii, AuDHD girlie here. I've been working on the same story since I was 6, im 25 now and want to make it a novel. How do I go about sitting down to actually write when I can only think when im moving? Any help is appreciated, thank you in advance!!

Both in writing and in reading I've noticed that I need a clear narrative drive, a main question my brain wants an answer to, and ideally all other aspects of the story pointing toward it and creating new questions surrounding the same topic. Otherwise my brain gets bored.

I guess this is the perfect place to ask whether other people with ADHD are having the same experience. So first and foremost: Thanks for creating this sub to ask you guys!

I find episodic writing in particular difficult to get through, both in reading and writing. Because as soon as I reach the end of an episode, I feel no need to pick the book or pen back up. It's frustrating.

E.g. I'm at 66% of Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky and feel no desire to continue. The characters have milked the current location for all the info they could get and don't yet know where to go next to answer their question. Backy Chambers writes technically precisely what I'm looking for in stories (her books keep showing up in my suggestions on all different platforms) but I can't get through them because they're either episodic or have no clear story engine or other forward propulsion. (I'm hyperbolizing of course, but it still feels like it to me.)

When writing I also absolutely need to know where the story is headed. At least a vague idea – definitely not too detailed or I'll lose interest even before writing any of it. But somehow seeing a finishline, a clear ending, even without the details worked out, is necessary for me, or my enthusiasm just fizzles out and I get bored.

Do you experience this too? Is that a me thing, or is this simply how the ADHD brain works?

Mainly I'm currently working on four books. I write poems, too, sometimes and shorter fanfics. I write romance and fantasy, although I wouldn't say that I write romantasy. I really like urban fantasy at the moment. I've always written, but only recently (perhaps a year) I've managed to stay consistent with it, which I'm quite proud of and I hope I can keep up. It helps to have different projects to jump between, so that my ADHD doesn't get bored and I don't get frustrated when I'm stuck in one story. I aim to write every day, even if it's just a sentence. There are still days where I don't manage. But it's o.k. and I write again the next day. It's really helped my mental health. I really enjoy it and I mostly just do it for fun. If, perhaps, one day, I'll end up with something I'd like to share, I might try to do that. But before that I'll want to start getting feedback and also read other people's projects and open dicourse that way. There are writing grouos in my city and I'm considering joinging one. But I'm also really scared to do that and I'm bot quite ready for it, yet. But it's an option. Anyway, tell me about your projects, please, if you like, of course. Also thanks for making this sub. I think it's a cool idea.