Writing While Neurodivergent

This intake is currently SOLD OUT. However, register your interest and preferred availability HERE and be the first to hear when this course runs again. 

Are you a neurodivergent person who writes creatively, or would like to? Do you sometimes struggle with maintaining a writing practice, focusing on a task, completing projects, celebrating your own successes, or generally coping with the expectations of neurotypical society and work culture?

Over four sessions of 2.5 hours each, we’ll explore tools, tricks and techniques for deconstructing internal ableism, and creating writing and writing practices that reflect our lived reality as ND people.

Each session will involve group discussion around a topic and reading material, as well as responding to a variety of inspiring and relevant writing exercises.

We welcome writers of all experience levels, from complete novice to published professional

These four session Crash Courses allow intensive focus on particular areas of creative writing, without the financial or time commitments required of more traditional eight and twelve week courses, and university degree programmes. ​

All courses are built to allow individual participants to choose their level of engagement based on the amount of time they have to devote to the materials.

Session 1 - Structured Chaos

Many ND people require strict schedules and rules in order to function, others only thrive in chaos. Many of us actually need some structure with room for flexibility. By unpicking and deconstructing neurotypical/capitalist ideas of work ethic and success, we’ll create writing practices that work for our individual aims, lives and needs.

Session 2 - Chasing the Hyperfocus

Despite what we’ve been told, procrastination may be a necessary part of our creative process. We have the power to redefine what actually counts as ‘writing’, and this can help ignite our creativity. We’ll explore techniques for ‘tricking’ our brains into figuring out what we want to write about, getting words on the page, and staying ‘on task’ (or not!)

Session 3 - Deconstructing the Arc

Often time and memory work differently for ND people. So why can’t our writing reflect this? We’ll tear down Aristotle's three act ‘arc’ and build in its place spirals, explosions, meanderings, honeycombs and fractals.

Session 4 - Fantasy as Reality

In order to honestly illustrate our lived experiences as ND people in our writing, we might find that a touch of magic or the supernatural can help us get closer to the truth. We’ll play with elements of fantasy (and horror) as tools for illuminating the realities we inhabit.

The course will run in two separate formats (all via Zoom):

One session a week

Four Wednesdays

Feb 14 - Mar 6th 2024

6-8.30pm UK time

Two sessions a day

Two Sundays

Feb 25th (Sessions 1 & 2)

Mar 3rd  (Sessions 3 & 4)

10:30am - 1pm & 2pm - 4:30pm UK time

*Tickets may be purchased for each day individually

There will be 1 free scholarship place available on each iteration of the course, as standard. These are available on a first come, first served basis with no requirment to disclose financial or personal information.

Please note that all sessions will be recorded and shared with ticket holders, along with all course materials. Therefore you do not need to be able to attend all or any of the sessions live, in order to sign-up. Refunds will be considered on a case by case basis, but as above, if you are unable to attend live, you will still have access to the sessions.

All courses aim to be neurodivergent and disabled centred.

As standard:

-Sessions include live closed captioning

-Sessions are recorded and shared with course members

-All slideshow and reading materials shared directly with members

-All exercise instructions are written out and given verbally

-No pressure to use mics or cameras - students can choose to use the chat function to communicate with the group

-No pressure to share work. There will be an optional hour long session at the end of the course for sharing and workshopping written work.

-All sessions will have a mid point break, but students are encouraged to eat, drink, stim, move about the room, and take breaks as needed.

-Attendees will be given an opportunity to share any specific access needs as well as suggestions for improving accessibility overall.

For more information on the course leader, KR Moorhead, please visit krmoorhead.com/about