Benefits of Creative Writing for Mental Health
Creative writing is something I have done to support my mental health since I was a kid, it's something I did naturally. I have also seen benefits in the participants of my writing groups, that I've been doing for the last 12 years. One of the biggest things I've seen...
Reading to Relax
Reading is something I have always done for my mental health and for regulation. When I was at high school, I always carried a book with me and would read when I had some spare time... including in class when I had finished my work! I had thought I was simply a...
This is NOT English Class – writing for mental health
It doesn't matter whether I talk to kids, teens or adults, when I mention that creative writing can be great for mental health, they look at me as if I've lost my mind. For many people, creative writing is linked to English class. For most people I speak to, this...
Mental Health Month
October is mental health month. During October, I'm going to share about how reading and creative writing can help with mental health. Most of what I share is how I use for my own mental health, as well as results from 12 years of working with young writers. If you've...
Self-Publishing as an AuDHDer
My publishing journey has been a bit unconventional, but it's working for me. Back in 2011, I closed my business and rediscovered creative writing. In 2012, I joined some challenges including 12x12 in 2012 and the Chapter Book Challenge. I continued these challenges...
Getting back into Reading
Recently, I've seen a number of posts in groups for women who are autistic, ADHD, and/or AuDHD from people who say they were bookworms as kids and would love to get reading again, but they aren't sure where to start. I was that bookworm. Growing up, I always had my...
Permission to NOT finish
In my email newsletter yesterday, I talked about giving yourself permission to not finish a story. There is so much pressure to finish things. I know that I have been given a hard time so often over the years about starting with a bright idea and then it petering out...
Sensory feelings of handwriting a story
I quite like handwriting stories. I will sit with a notebook and pencil (yes, I prefer pencil to pen) and just write. I've realised there is a sensory element to this that you don't get when typing on a computer. There is the feel of the paper under your hands, the...
Worth Reading: Raymund and the Fear Monster
This weeks Book Worth Reading is 'Raymund and the Fear Monster' by Megan Higginson & Ester de Boer. Raymund lives in a small village at the bottom of a mountain, at the top of the mountain lives a monster! How will Raymund overcome his fear and defeat the monster?...
Worth Reading: Rainbow Street by R.W.R. McDonald and Kelly Canby
This weeks book worth reading is 'Rainbow Street' by R.W.R. McDonald and Kelly Canby. It's Grandma's 90th birthday and everyone is gathering to celebrate with a street party. This book is a wonderful celebration of diversity with families from different countries...