#159: How To Finish A Big Project (Like Writing A Book) With ADHD Mother Plus podcast

Content provided by Stacey Hutson & Stephanie Sprenger, Stacey Hutson, and Stephanie Sprenger. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Stacey Hutson & Stephanie Sprenger, Stacey Hutson, and Stephanie Sprenger or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.

Mother Plus Podcast »
#159: How to Finish a Big Project (Like Writing A Book) with ADHD

1d ago 54:23

MP3•Episode home

Send us a text

Steph sits down with writer, academic, and fellow ADHD-er Wendy Robinson to talk about how she wrote an entire novel in six months—while working full time and managing ADHD. This is a must-listen whether you're a writer, a creative, or just someone juggling a big project with a neurodivergent brain. Spoiler: it’s not about willpower—it’s about systems, self-compassion, and knowing your brain.

Wendy wrote her novel in 6 months (!), thanks to structure, support, and knowing what works for her ADHD brain.
They talk about the real executive functioning challenges that come with ADHD and how women especially are impacted.
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is real and so relatable—especially when launching creative work into the world.
Steph and Wendy bond over the “good girl” ADHD diagnosis story—how so many women go undiagnosed because they weren’t disruptive, just “daydreamy” and perfectionistic.
Wendy shares her systems for getting big projects done: think writing retreats, body doubling at coffee shops, and her trusty “go bag.”
The Parking Lot and Forward Only strategies are game-changers for staying focused and avoiding perfection paralysis.
Why many ADHD women procrastinate by being too productive—but only for other people.
Writing accountability groups are magic. External motivation > internal guilt.
How Wendy redefined success: It’s not about the book deal. It’s about keeping promises to yourself and finishing the damn manuscript.
Substack, querying, and how to cope when rejection stings like a wasp.
“You don’t have to do it. But you’ll regret it if you don’t.” —On choosing your pain and finishing creative work.
🧠 Quote of the Episode:
“You’re seeing the scaffolding, not the reason the scaffolding is there.” — Wendy, on why high-functioning ADHD can still be deeply challenging.
Wendy Robinson is a writer and higher ed nerd. In addition to working on a novel, she writes personal essays about parenting, life as a woman in middle age, pop culture, and more at her Substack Open Water (https://wendyrobinson.substack.com/).
She also writes about all things higher education with a focus on the college admissions and financial aid processes to help parents of high school students feel less stressed at her other Substack, College Sanity (https://collegesanity.substack.com/).

MOTHER PLUS INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mother_plus_podcast/
MOTHER PLUS FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/motherpluspodcast
MOTHER PLUS PERMISSION SLIP: https://www.motherplusser.com/Permission-Slip
MOTHER PLUS NEWSLETTER: https://www.motherplusser.com/signup-page
MOTHER PLUS BLOG: https://www.motherplusser.com/blog

158 episodes

#Parenting #Entrepreneur #Business #Podcasting Education #Kids And Families #Self-Improvement #Stacey Hutson & Stephanie Sprenger #Stacey Hutson #Stephanie Sprenger

#159: How to Finish a Big Project (Like Writing A Book) with ADHD

Mother Plus Podcast

published 1d ago

MP3•Episode home

Send us a text

Wendy wrote her novel in 6 months (!), thanks to structure, support, and knowing what works for her ADHD brain.
They talk about the real executive functioning challenges that come with ADHD and how women especially are impacted.
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is real and so relatable—especially when launching creative work into the world.
Steph and Wendy bond over the “good girl” ADHD diagnosis story—how so many women go undiagnosed because they weren’t disruptive, just “daydreamy” and perfectionistic.
Wendy shares her systems for getting big projects done: think writing retreats, body doubling at coffee shops, and her trusty “go bag.”
The Parking Lot and Forward Only strategies are game-changers for staying focused and avoiding perfection paralysis.
Why many ADHD women procrastinate by being too productive—but only for other people.
Writing accountability groups are magic. External motivation > internal guilt.
How Wendy redefined success: It’s not about the book deal. It’s about keeping promises to yourself and finishing the damn manuscript.
Substack, querying, and how to cope when rejection stings like a wasp.
“You don’t have to do it. But you’ll regret it if you don’t.” —On choosing your pain and finishing creative work.
🧠 Quote of the Episode:
“You’re seeing the scaffolding, not the reason the scaffolding is there.” — Wendy, on why high-functioning ADHD can still be deeply challenging.
Wendy Robinson is a writer and higher ed nerd. In addition to working on a novel, she writes personal essays about parenting, life as a woman in middle age, pop culture, and more at her Substack Open Water (https://wendyrobinson.substack.com/).
She also writes about all things higher education with a focus on the college admissions and financial aid processes to help parents of high school students feel less stressed at her other Substack, College Sanity (https://collegesanity.substack.com/).

158 episodes

#Parenting #Entrepreneur #Business #Podcasting Education #Kids And Families #Self-Improvement #Stacey Hutson & Stephanie Sprenger #Stacey Hutson #Stephanie Sprenger

All episodes

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

Listen to 500+ topics

Similar to Mother Plus Podcast

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Mother Plus Podcast » #159: How to Finish a Big Project (Like Writing A Book) with ADHD

#159: How to Finish a Big Project (Like Writing A Book) with ADHD

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Welcome to Player FM!

Similar to Mother Plus Podcast

Mother Plus Podcast »
#159: How to Finish a Big Project (Like Writing A Book) with ADHD