ADHD and Writing: A Hidden Advantage
Sometimes your greatest perceived weakness can become your strongest creative asset.
Let’s explore how Josh Zetumer transformed his ADHD from a perceived writing obstacle into a creative superpower… And the unconventional approach that could change how you write.
Here’s his groundbreaking perspective on harnessing hyperfocus:
“When I discovered writing, it discovered this thing I could really focus on. Growing up with therapist parents made me want to write characters with psychological complexity. But then I had all this energy…”
Let’s break down his core strategies:
1. Research Immersion
- Avoid referencing other films/shows
- Study raw source material (YouTube, interviews)
- Let obsession drive authentic details
2. Structural Innovation
- Embrace four-act structure for features
- Break free from traditional timestamps
- Focus on emotional continuity over chronology
3. Character-Driven Complexity
- Write from inside-out using real behaviors
- Include enough direction to protect intent
- Leave room for actor interpretation
The game-changing insight: Success in writing complex narratives isn’t about fighting your natural tendencies — it’s about building a process that transforms them into advantages.
His advice for writers:
- Ground every episode in a single theme
- Cut historical events that don’t serve character
- Let obsessive research fuel authenticity
Quick mindset shift: Stop thinking about “overcoming” your writing challenges. Instead, focus on building systems that harness your natural tendencies for creative output.
Keep writing,
- Brock Swinson
P.S. Here’s my full audio interview with writer Joshua Zetumer