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I know there are artist folks who have ADD (or ADHD) and struggle with it, and I wanted to give you the perspective of a happy full-time artist whose every moment is defined by it, but not in a bad way. 1/
So to give you a quick overview of how my brain works:
When I was younger, my dad might say "hey, Chris, did you chop the firewood?" and I'd say "what kind of dog is Eddie on Frasier?" 2/
When I was younger, my dad might say "hey, Chris, did you chop the firewood?" and I'd say "what kind of dog is Eddie on Frasier?" 2/
My dad, or anyone, might take this as me not listening or something. But I was listening. In my mind: firewood=chimney=santa=christmas=boar's head madrigal=battle beast with a boar head=playing with battle beasts in the tub=being in water=swimming=hanging from diving... 3/
...board=finger muscles=rock climbing=cliffs=Cliff from "Cheers"=Cheers=Frasier=Eddie the Dog.
In my head, this was the next logical thing to say. Happens in less than a second. 4/
In my head, this was the next logical thing to say. Happens in less than a second. 4/
Eventually, over time, I learned to backtrack - getting to Eddie the Dog, realizing I was off-track, and tracing back through the same route of subjects until I got to the starting point, at which time I could answer the person's question without seeming like a weirdo. 5/
So this slows me up from being witty (I'm not, and never will be), but while it was a hindrance in conversations, it's a boon when it comes to finding connections between seemingly unconnected things, because your/my mind is constantly making connections that shouldn't exist. 6/
As you get older, it becomes easier to no-whammy-no-whammy-STOP when one of those connections makes sense. So it's great for problem solving.
It also makes it easier to process how one thing affects another, or at least does for me, because you're used to trying to tie these...
It also makes it easier to process how one thing affects another, or at least does for me, because you're used to trying to tie these...
...multiple threads together at the same time.
With comics, with narratives, this can be really helpful - if I move this line, then all of these other things will be affected thusly (it's why I hate after the fact editing, because if the size of the word block changes even...
With comics, with narratives, this can be really helpful - if I move this line, then all of these other things will be affected thusly (it's why I hate after the fact editing, because if the size of the word block changes even...
...a little then I end up redrawing substantial parts of the panel). It helps you immediately spot the narrative problems that will manifest when one part of the narrative changes. And because I'm always tracing my thoughtlines, I'm conditioned to look for causality... 9/
...which can be really helpful when studying history, etc. Anyway, learning to compensate for atypical ways my brain behaves has led to what I would consider skill sets that absolutely benefit the work that I do. ADD is not in itself a hindrance.
BUT it can certainly be one. 10/
BUT it can certainly be one. 10/
When I have a deadline tight enough that I can only do one project, it's very difficult. I get to the point where (unless I'm at a mostly autopilot stage like inking or coloring) it becomes extremely hard to focus, and attempts to do so just make the project drag longer. 11/
If I'm in a production meeting, or, when I was teaching, an adminsitrative one, it's very easy to drift off unless we're focusing directly on planning specific things or solving specific problems. 12/
So here are some things that have helped me, a lot:
• my spouse/partner is generally patient with me and is willing to repeat things, or sometimes asks me to repeat what she's said if it's important, because often I'll miss stuff (she can usually tell). Talk to your partner...
• my spouse/partner is generally patient with me and is willing to repeat things, or sometimes asks me to repeat what she's said if it's important, because often I'll miss stuff (she can usually tell). Talk to your partner...
...about how your brain works, or doesn't work, and talk about possible ways to insure that communication isn't lost when you're not at your best.
-Don't get defensive when your partner calls you on you inattention, they deserve your attention.
- Don't use their...
-Don't get defensive when your partner calls you on you inattention, they deserve your attention.
- Don't use their...
...understanding as an excuse to not pay attention/read/check your phone/etc.
• PLAN AHEAD. I do best when I can move back and forth between multiple projects. If I find myself stalling on one, I move to another. If you know it's going to take you five weeks to... 15/
• PLAN AHEAD. I do best when I can move back and forth between multiple projects. If I find myself stalling on one, I move to another. If you know it's going to take you five weeks to... 15/
...do a project, start it eight weeks out from when you want to get it done, and intersperse it with others. If you're in control of your output and have agency in scheduling it, this is a HUGE benefit. 16/
• Find things that can occupy you while you work but that don't hinder the work. I listen to movie scores when writing, audiobooks while penciling, and I "watch" tv on a side monitor while inking and coloring. Without these focus points, I often end up just sitting/thinking. 17/
• To this same effect, I draw anytime I'm supposed to be paying attention. I draw in church choir. I draw in meetings. I draw when at a family gathering. Doing one thing with my hands allows me to focus my brain on what's happening. 18/
You'll find things that help you as you get older and more conditioned to things, and aware that you need to accomodate yourself. I'm a sprinter - I can focus intently and get a ton done in a limited amount of time, but only FOR a limited amount of time. So I plan for that. 19/
I drink a good amount of coffee in the morning - the closest thing to self-medication I do. When I'm hitting a wall on story things I look for country roads that I've never been on and drive for a while, stimulate different parts of my brain. You find what helps you. 20/
Anyway, my point with all of this is that, excepting being angry and upset over the state of the world, I'm INCREDIBLY happy and very productive and I feel like my ADD is a benefit to me in my circumstances. If you're struggling now that doesn't mean you always will be. 21/end
ONE MORE THING I'D LIKE TO TACK ON: There is absolutely no ethical/character/etc reason for me not taking medication for my ADD, and if taking medication helps you with it, then baby, you've found your method! I do best when I'm not on medication, but for many folks it's...
...necessary in order to properly function. Please don't take me talking about coping strategies/acceptance as a suggestion that you oughtn't explore whatever options might make you feel like the best you that you can be.
