How To Write a Book When You Have ADHD

Kirsten Milliken

Hi, my name is Kirsten and I have ADHD.  For the past year-and-a-half I have been “writing” a book.  More days than not I have thought about writing my book.  That’s probably more truthful.  

On the other days I blame my ADHD for getting in the way.  I have procrastinated, had problems getting started, been too disorganized to actually be productive, have been gathering lots and lots and lots of information to include in the book, and found other things to do that seemed like more fun at the time.  

I like to play.  And if writing does not feel playful in the moment, I will find something else that does. I convinced myself that re-starting the PlayDHD podcast in an audio format would be both fun and productive.   In the past I had a video podcast, and in fact I interviewed Rick and Ava Green in one episode.  

Rick Green and Kirsten Milliken

I bought all the cool electronics to make the new audio podcast sound good, took a podcasting class that was fun, and learned how to edit podcasts. I even recorded about 10 audio podcast episodes that may never make it online. Because, while I love playing and having conversations with my guests, it became the bane of my existence to have to get the episodes edited and loaded online.  

Last week I officially decided to bag the regular podcast. I also thought it would be fun to create and lead an adult ADHD program.  This has been fun, interesting, and a learning experience for me.  But last week I decided that this too was a distraction, not fun anymore, and not really what I wanted to be focused on (thanks Alan Brown and ADDCrusher).

What I decided to focus on this year is getting my book done.  “What book is that?” you might ask.   Not ironically, it’s the one about how effective play is to address symptoms of adult ADHD. I love these two topics and they go soooooo well together.  

I have come to realize that my focus, attention, interest and motivation are directed to activities that feel fun to me and put me in a playful mindset. When I am learning new things, talking with  people, and being creative I do not struggle with symptoms of ADHD.  But when the fun is gone all my ADHD symptoms are back full force.

Coincidentally, when I first searched for the terms “Play” and “ADHD” the most relevant post was a forum conversation on TotallyADD.com about how play has a positive impact on ADHD.   One member asked the question, ‘Why hasn’t anyone written the book about this?”  Hmmmm…. It’s not just me!

While I vehemently hate the idea of New Year’s resolutions, since January 1st I have:

• eliminated the distractions of my other projects (most of them)
• rented a desk at a local co-working space
• engaged a friend to be a body double for me on days I plan to play with the book (I hate working)
• committed to not gathering any more books or articles
• told several people my plan so they will hold me accountable. 

I realized as I was getting organized to get this done that I did not like book chapter topics I chose last year and I needed help making this book amazing!   My solution is also part of my ADHD- and the title of my interview with Rick and Ava- “Playing with You is More Fun Than Playing By Myself.” I prefer to talk things out, get feedback, and incorporate other people’s ideas.  That is play to me.  

To that end, I have created a survey in hopes of finding out what YOU really want to know about Play and ADHD.   What would inspire you to give Play a try in order to manage your symptoms of ADHD?  Perhaps you even want to bet on when I might actually get this book finished.  That would motivate me!

If I use your ideas I will acknowledge you in the book.  And I swear it will get written!!!

Survey for PlayDHD now over

Kirsten Milliken Ph.D., ACC is a Psychologist, ADHD coach & founder of

TotallyADD.com is an independent website created & owned by Big Brain Productions Inc. (Rick Green).  We tell you this because so many people ask if pharmaceutical companies paid for any of this and the answer is absolutely not.  Purchases in our shop, and our Patreon community pays for content creation.