Katelynn Wiley

Being a writer with ADHD can be tough... (but you're not alone)! My friend K.M. Weiland approached me in March to do a guest post on her site 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀 looking for insight from a writer with ADHD. I wrote my tips, tools, and processes, and the post performed very well (link at the bottom of this post). Here are 5 unconventional tips that work for me: 1. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱 Time management is key. Set a 25-minute timer and work on a single task. Take a break, then start again. 2. 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗲-𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀. Block out the outside world. Get in the zone with your favorite music. (I use brain.fm or movie scores.) 3. 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 I love writing after everyone is asleep. Writing when it's quiet and dark is my jam. A quiet house and good headphones are the best! 4. 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 Roger Ebert said 'The Muse comes during the work' Write now, edit later. They're different disciplines. Type fast, don't stop, and keep moving forward. 5. 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 ADHD minds thrive on movement. Take a walk or do some jumping jacks. Then return to writing re-energized! They say ADHD is a curse, but being an ADHD writer can actually be an asset. ADHD gives me the superpower of hyper-focus, an extra gear that not everyone else has. Embrace your quirks, and use these tools to help you stay creative and productive! > What's your favorite ADHD hack? 59/100 (214) | #100DayRally 𝘛𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘺𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘢𝘺. 𝘔𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦, 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘹 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘊𝘖𝘝𝘐𝘋. 𝘋𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦. 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘐 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘭. https://lnkd.in/gDH48z5S

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I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! A bit late, but it's still Plain & Simple Tuesday over here in the Pacific Northwest. 🗻 This week's topic gets a lift from plainlanguage.gov. 💡 Let’s talk about an important plain language technique – using short sentences. The key here is to have one idea in each sentence. According to plainlanguage.gov, shorter sentences more easily convey complex information. They do this by breaking information into smaller, easier-to-understand pieces. Creating complexity is the opposite of clear communication. Let’s look at an example from plainlanguage.gov: Original: Once the candidate’s goals are established, one or more potential employers are identified. A preliminary proposal for presentation to the employer is developed. The proposal is presented to an employer who agrees to negotiate an individualized job that meets the employment needs of the applicant and real business needs of the employer. After some plain language edits: Once we establish your goals, we identify one or more potential employers. We prepare a preliminary proposal to present to an employer who agrees to negotiate a job that meets both his and your employment needs. You’ll notice that the edit also includes shifting to active tense and using pronouns, other plain language concepts we’ve talked about before! #plainlanguage #copyeditor #lineeditor #clearcommunication

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When editors get after you to use active v. passive voice, they're not being nags. Well, they are - but there's a reason. Clear writing, including using active voice, makes it easier for people to read what you write. And when information is shared in a way that's easy to absorb, people are apt to read longer. According to this Psychology Today article, in key studies, people read sentences with active voice 1/3 faster than sentences in passive voice - and misunderstood even simple sentences written in passive voice about 25% of the time. Read more about active v. passive voice and 4 other clear writing tips: #writingtips #grammar #writing

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Hey Seattle area friends, writers, actors, improvisers, and people with things to say, this post is for you! If you've followed me for a while, you know how passionate i am about good storytelling...on paper and in person. And one of the best places I know to share a story is Ignite Seattle! This is community storytelling at its informative, entertaining best...but we need YOU and your stories to make it happen. Share your Big Idea with us (a great title and short summary) by August 22 (Thursday!) for our next show, happening October 3 at Town Hall Seattle. Make us laugh, make us cry, but most of all, make us think. (Not sure about public speaking? No problem. We provide lots of hands-on coaching--some of it from me!--support, and the most supportive audience anywhere. This is your chance to stretch yourself!) Find out more in the link in the comments. #publicspeaking #seattle #storytelling #seattleevents #enlightenusbutmakeitquick

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Reading an internal Seattle Children's memo today, I was struck by a rec to use sick time for mental health. Which really, I shouldn't be -- physical health *always* includes mental health. But it's still something we don't talk about enough in American workplaces. Knowing that I can take time off to focus on my mental health without any stigma is amazing. Whether it's taking a day to recharge, attending therapy, or simply practicing self-care, I feel supported and understood. #MentalHealthMatters #WorkplaceWellbeing #SupportEachOther

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Your refrigerator can teach you a lot about taxonomies. Seriously! It is my totally non-scientific observation that many of us have a taxonomy for how we put food into the refrigerator. Maybe it’s me, but I feel like some parts of the refrigerator taxonomy are universal. For example, don’t you put your salad dressing in the refrigerator door? Here are my thoughts on why understanding taxonomies matters: https://lnkd.in/gEEty5v9 Or we can just talk about how you organize your fridge. Do you find it easy to locate what you need? Or do you spend a lot of time looking for the mustard? #contentmanagement #contentstrategy #contentorganization

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Hello, Friends & Readers! I'm launching a Substack publication exploring the topic of my memoir-in-progress: inheritances, literal and figurative, and how they combine to form a unique self. Hope you'll join me in pondering this (I believe) fascinating subject!

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Buy this book. Then, having read it deeply, give it to your best friend. Read more in our latest blog post! #NanShepherd #Literature #NatureWriting https://wix.to/FyyCFRU

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It’s been a while since I’ve formally introduced Figueroa Copy around here, so I just wanted to share the kind of work I do in case any of the lovely souls reading this (hey, that’s you!) could benefit from it in any way! As a fertility, women’s health, and motherhood content strategist, I collaborate with brands who want to build authentic relationships with their clients and customers through compassionate copy. I’ve had the privilege of working with pioneering brands in the fertility space like Inito, parenting brands like Twiniversity, and virtual perinatal therapy clinics like The Mindful Mommy. And though each of these brands is incredibly unique, they demonstrate one common thread: women and mothers want to work with businesses and service providers that show they truly care. Yes, I know that sounds obvious, but with the rise of AI, I’ve seen so many brands opting for quantity over quality when it comes to content. Their blogs and emails and launch pages are just another item to check off their endless marketing to-do list. But cranking out content like that won’t fully book your calendar with clients or help you shatter your ambitious launch and sales goals. (At least not for very long). That’s where I come in! As your content strategy fairy, I jump in to create content that nurtures your relationships with current and future customers and clients. As a mom of twin toddlers who’s survived the rough waters of infertility, ART, a medically complicated pregnancy, and motherhood in general, I understand your target audience. Because I am them. And I’ll make sure an unmatched level of empathy and compassion shine through in every SEO article, every email sequence, and every web page I write for your brand. So that's what's going on here at Figueroa Copy. 🤗 If we haven’t met yet, I’d love for you to say hi in the comments and tell me more about yourself or your brand!

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When I say "Contemplative Writing," I need to add a description, because the term means different things to different people. For me, it's using contemplative values to craft writing prompts so that the writing itself becomes contemplative. Those values: being present in my body, open to changing the way I usually see things, listening compassionately for what I need to hear, being curious and letting go of outcomes (another way of saying focus on process not product), breaking up to put back together, noticing interconnections and patterns, not judging, being supportive of myself and others. Some see contemplative writing as journaling. Some weave in breathing techniques as you write, or use soft music and candles. When I say "contemplative writing," this is what I mean in particular. #Writing #Contemplation #ContemplativeWriting

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Grantcycle is launching a grant writer partner program! So many grant writers have told us that they don't want to mess with the post-award side of the grant cycle, which is perfect because we'd be lost on grant writing side (and AI will not be replacing you all any time soon). What's in it for you? 1. Visibility - There are a lot of grant writers, and it can be intimidating for grantseekers to quickly identify which ones have the experience they're looking for. Our grant database will show your profile, your industries of expertise, and previous funding awarded. 2. Continuity - By partnering with Grantcycle, you can offer full-service grant services on the pre-award and post-award side. 3. Referral bonuses - If we win, you win. If you're interested in learning more, let me know in the comments or DM me.

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Newer editors often struggle with imposter syndrome, which is the feeling that they’re not really good at their work and pretty soon everyone will see right through them and point their fingers and laugh. I’ve struggled with this (imposter syndrome, not pointing fingers and laughing) off-and-on throughout my career, as do most people who want to do good work. If you don’t really care, then you’re probably not going to suffer from imposter syndrome. When you’re starting a freelance business, it’s important not to let imposter syndrome and other doubts stop you. I’ve talked about ways I’ve dealt with imposter syndrome before, but today I wanted to talk a little about the difference between doubting your work and doubting yourself, as I think doubting yourself is actually the most damaging thing you can do. If you doubt your work – “I could have explained myself more clearly, I shouldn’t have missed that typo, now I know what’s going wrong with Chapter 5 but the edit has already been submitted” – that’s one thing. You can learn specific lessons from this. *Do you need to have templates for explanations? *A checklist to help you avoid overlooking a step? *A schedule that includes several days for reflection before the edit is submitted? (I do all of these things now, though I didn’t in the beginning). Doubting your work can actually be a helpful spur to stay at the top of your game. It may spark you to connect with colleagues, to take more classes, to explore the world more fully. All of that is fantastic! It can make your career even better and more rewarding. But doubting yourself – “I’ll never figure this out, I’m not smart enough to do this work, why did I ever think I could be an editor?” – that’s deadly. That’s defeating and disempowering. That’s what makes talented people give up. If you’re doubting yourself more than you’re doubting your work, try to shift your framework: “I’m struggling to figure this out now but I will eventually understand. I can ask for help.” “Right now, I feel like I’m not smart, but of course that’s not true. Look at all the smart things I’ve done: [customize this list: graduated from college, aced an important test, dumped that loser Joey]. “Why did I ever think I could be an editor? I thought I could do it because I’m good with words, I love stories, and I like the flexibility of working for myself. And all of that is still true.” Doubting your work can help you do better work. Doubting yourself can torpedo your career. Create a good attitude about yourself and imposter syndrome may stop by for a visit now and again but it will never come to stay. ****** ✨I'm Jennifer Lawler, from Club Ed Freelancers 🌴🌴🌴 🤔I help editors figure out what the hell they're doing 💡I've made all the mistakes so you don't have to 📚Connect with me for editing tips and talk You can ring the 🔔 above to be notified of new posts (most weekdays) #bookediting #freelancing #novelediting

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https://lnkd.in/eKwUwwFs internalized ableism is something every neurodivergent person goes through I go in detail on ableism

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With today’s emphasis on diverse voices, authenticity, and inclusivity, I’m writing to offer my services as a Sensitivity Reader-Diversity Editor-Cultural Consultant and Beta Reader. I’m a Mixed Blood writer based out of Los Angeles and Minneapolis. I’m Indigenous Mandan and Hidatsa, an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes in North Dakota, and African-American. I’m a mother and grandmother from the Midwest, who writes about race, oppression, discrimination and the impact on cultures and people from the perspective of Mixed Blood, Native or African-American voices. I am also a women and children’s advocate with a Masters of Liberal Studies in Interdisciplinary Child Social Policy in addition to two MFA’s; one in Creative Writing and one in Screenwriting. As a reader, editor and consultant, I have worked with fiction, nonfiction, scripts, webpages, graphic novels, children’s books, textbooks, podcasts, acknowledgement statements, PR materials, and video games. The topics I read include race relations, identity development and history, Indigenous and African American representation, women’s topics, addiction, surviving violence, family dynamics plus more. My clients include writers, agents, publishers, editors, radio, film and television producers, college departments, marketing teams, and gaming companies. For more information, this is my website: https://lnkd.in/gBrGUUUN or feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I would love to be a resource . #DEI #SensitivityReader #author #writing #storytelling #Cultural #Consultant #review #editor #books #podcasts #games #tv #film #screenplays #academic #nonfiction #literature #prose #diversity

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