✨Neurodivergent Pines Twins✨ return at last!! This time, they battle the executive dysfunctions with the power of body doubling!
I feel like Dipper's neurodivergence presents super differently from Mabel's, where he tends to have the opposite problem as her, with finding schoolwork (almost too) easy, but struggling with daily tasks like cleaning. But this doesn't stop them from supporting each other!
I think they also both struggle with socializing sometimes (with Dipper overthinking/overanalyzing and Mabel having social cues fly blissfully over her head) and hyperfixating on stuff SUPER HARD.
the ADHD writer's guide to actually finishing a draft (no, seriously) 📝
okay, tumblr, writers... we need to TALK about how to actually finish a damn draft when your executive functioning decided to pack its bags and leave for a permanent vacation in the bahamas.
i'm not here to give you that basic "just set a timer!" advice that makes me want to throw my laptop into the sun. we all know those productivity hacks that work for neurotypicals make us want to scream into the void. (been there, screamed that.)
so here's the ACTUAL guide from someone who's written three novels while her brain was actively trying to sabotage her the entire time.
FIRST: accept that linear writing is a capitalist construct designed to torture us.
i'm serious. whoever decided writers should start at chapter 1 and proceed neatly to THE END clearly didn't have dopamine playing hide-and-seek in their prefrontal cortex.
write whatever scene has your brain chemicals SINGING today. that climactic fight scene that's six chapters away? the tender moment between your characters that happens in the middle? WRITE IT NOW while your brain is actually interested. i have finished entire novels by writing them in chunks and stitching them together like the beautiful frankenstein's monster they are.
SECOND: the 10-minute lie (that actually works???)
tell yourself you're only going to write for 10 minutes. that's it. no pressure. your adhd brain can handle anything for 10 minutes, right? the secret is that once you start, momentum becomes your best friend. sometimes you'll actually stop at 10 minutes (congrats, you still wrote something!) but often you'll look up and realize it's been two hours and you've written 2,000 words. and yes i've seen this a lot, like everywhere, where they tell you "set a timer for 5, and by the time you realize it's 2 hours" i've seen this many times before, and it actually works. at first i thought it didn't but boy, i was wrong.
THIRD: use your hyperfixation powers for good, not evil.
we all know that adhd comes with the superpower of becoming obsessed with random things for unpredictable amounts of time. WEAPONIZE THIS. create artificial urgency around your project. tell people about your deadline. make elaborate aesthetic pinterest boards. create a spotify playlist that you only listen to while writing this specific project. trick your brain into making your WIP the shiny new hyperfixation.
FOURTH: body-doubling saved my writing career and it can save yours too.
find another writer friend (or any friend who needs to do focused work) and sit together - virtually or physically - while you both work. something about having another human witnessing your work process bypasses the executive dysfunction. i swear it's actual magic. discord writing sprints, zoom sessions with cameras off but mics on - whatever works.
FIFTH: embrace the chaos of your natural writing cycle.
some days you'll write 5,000 words in a frenzy at 3am. other days you'll stare at the document for an hour and write "the." BOTH ARE VALID WRITING DAYS. the only consistency we need is returning to the document, not some arbitrary daily word count.
SIXTH: create external accountability that doesn't make you want to die.
deadlines from publishers? great. deadlines you set for yourself? your brain laughs and says "or what?" find the sweet spot - maybe it's a writing buddy you check in with, maybe it's a public progress tracker, maybe it's promising your sister you'll take her to dinner when you finish a chapter.
SEVENTH: the frankendraft approach.
your first draft DOES NOT need to be good, coherent, or even make sense. it just needs to exist. leave yourself notes like [FIGURE OUT HOW SHE GETS FROM THE CASTLE TO THE BEACH LATER] and keep moving. your adhd brain will thank you for not getting stuck in research rabbit holes for six hours.
EIGHTH: find your optimal writing environment through shameless trial and error.
maybe you need complete silence. maybe you need to be in a coffee shop with specific ambient noise. maybe you need to write standing up. maybe you need to dictate your novel while pacing around your apartment. there is no wrong way to get the words out.
i personally write best when i'm slightly uncomfortable (weird, i know) so i often end up writing while sitting on my kitchen floor with my laptop balanced on a chair. whatever works, bestie. a finished messy draft is infinitely more valuable than the perfect novel still trapped in your head. your adhd brain is simultaneously your greatest challenge and your greatest asset as a writer. the connections you make, the unique perspectives, the creativity - all of that comes from the same place as the struggles.
you've got this. now go write something, even if it's just for 10 minutes. i believe in you. ✨ -rin t.
✦ A free (and actually helpful) guide to leveling up your first 10 pages ✦If you're unsure whether your opening is ✨doing enough✨ to hook re
A gothic prompt pack for writers who love cursed universities, secret societies, and scholarly rot.✎ Write the Darkness ✎A 75-prompt horror
Summary: In a desperate attempt to motivate yourself to tidy up your apartment before your mothers last-minute visit, you invite Melissa over to body double for you. However, when your mother turns up days before intended, she jumps to the conclusion that you were more than friends, and Melissa doesn't correct her.
Warnings: stress, body doubling for motivation, over-bearing mother kinda, mel being a sweetheart and helping clean, mel watching housewives, staying the night, use of y/n, petnames, (hon, dear, ect.), fake dating, not much else I think? This fic was very much self-indulgent, and I might do a part 2??
You were stressed beyond words. Your mother, like usual, had unexpectedly sprung plans on you. She was in the area to see your younger sister, and that meant she would be coming over to your place along with her for the first time since you moved to philly. You had settled on Wednesday being the day she'd be visiting. And so the week following, on Friday, you were anxious the whole day. You knew you needed to clean your place because it was a mess, at least that's what your mother would say.
It was lunch, and you walked into the teacher's lounge, your irritation evident in the way you slumped your bag on the counter and the force of which you had turned on the coffee machine. This, of course, caught the attention of the ever so observant second-grade teacher, who was currently sat in here alone at her usual table, a few other teachers scattered around the room. "What's up with you, kid?" You let out a deep sigh, turning around to face her while resting against the counter. "My mother's visiting next week, and I'm just not in the mood for her picking apart my apartment right now."
"Sounds rough, your apartments nice though, what's there to pick apart?" She asks, sitting back in her chair, her glasses perching precariously on the tip of her nose. "Everything. at least it is in her eyes...I just can't be bothered to do it right now" "Fair enough, but hey, you gotta do it sometime" She shrugged, standing up and walking to the coffee pot, pouring some in her tucci mug and then some in yours. You contemplated for a moment, you needed to clean, that much you knew, but the hard part was getting yourself in the right head to do it, and then a thought came to mind. You look to Melissa, and as she sets the pot back, she notices the thoughtful look directed at her, which makes her suspicious, "What's that look for?" "Mel...you know how I'm such a good friend and how much you love me..." you say with a slowed tone, smiling innocently. She knew that smile all too well. You wanted something.
"Yeah, don't know about that, what do you want, hon?" "Are you free tomorrow?" Her suspicion grows, her eyes narrowing. "I ain't taking anyone out for ya', if that's what you're after." You roll your eyes at her mental leap, "that's not what I'm asking. Will you come over tomorrow while I clean?" Her face relaxes slightly, "oh okay- why? Cause I ain't helping, I've got enough cleaning to do now with Jacob around." "You don't have to do anything, just be there. It sounds silly, but it'll help." She sighs, forcing a reluctant shrug, even though she knows full well she'd agree to help regardless. "Fine, but housewives is on, and I'm not missing it." "I have a TV y'know- anyway- thank you mel, just come around tomorrow whenever" you smile widely, a genuine one this time as you grab your coffee and leaving her to grade papers for the remaining free time you teachers had before the lunch bell rang.
The next day, Saturday, you had gotten up pretty late, hoping to gain enough sleep to get things done. It was around 11 when Mel knocked on your door. You called from the kitchen, "It's open!" She, of course, padded into your space with ease, looking around at the dusting and vacuuming you've done in the living room. Having moved onto the kitchen, you were currently loading the dishwasher when she entered. "Hey, kid, this place looks nice when you try." She jokes, and you roll your eyes with a light fit of a laugh, "Shut up, you like my place." "eh maybe, here, you look like you need a hand." She approaches, grabbing a few plates and loading them for you, so much for not helping.
The rest of the afternoon continues in a similar fashion. You cleaned as mel lent her assistance where she could. From moving the coffee table so you could vacuum the carpets, to holding one end of the fitted sheet as you pulled the other into place, even folding laundry with you. When you moved onto some more menial tasks like organising shelves and books, she settled on the couch, watching housewives but checking in on you every so often, making sure you were still at it. Finally, after hours of cleaning, you drop onto the sofa beside her, getting under the blanket she had draped over her legs as you finally relax. The both of you sit in a comfortable silence, other than a few shared laughs as the show continues. The light streaming in from the windows dies down, leaving a mix of soft light and shadow as the sun sets in the sky beyond your windows.
About three episodes in, your stomach growls and you realise you had hardly eaten anything since this morning. Mel of course notices this and gets up without a word. Your brows furrow in confusion, watching as she walks to your kitchen, swinging open your fridge with nothing but a hum, hand settling on the curve of her hip. She pulls out a few ingredients, mumbling about needing more of some specifics, scribbling them down on the shopping list you had put on the door of your fridge. Eventually your curiosity takes over, you pause the show and follow her to the kitchen, leaning back against the counter, watching as she retrieves a couple of pots and pans from your cupboards with a practised ease. "What are you doing?" "What's it look like? I'm making dinner, obviously." "Oh so you're cooking for me now?" "That a problem?" "Never said it was..." a satisfied smirk plays on her face, "good, now sit there and look pretty while I cook." You roll your eyes at hers words, a smile written on your features nonetheless as you move to sit on the counter now.
The rich aroma of tomatoes and garlic swirl around the apartment as you watch her work, a dishcloth over her shoulder, sleeves rolled up to her elbows and her hair tied back, glasses resting on the top of her head in a way that made her look irresistible. She sips occasionally from her glass of wine, which she had plucked from your cabinet, soft music playing in the background as she moved around your kitchen effortlessly. As the moon began it's ascent in the sky, the two of you wound up fixed on the couch once again, the show resumed as you both eat the delicious food she had prepared for you both. The atmosphere now clean and comfortable, the living room only lit by the glow of the TV.
The blanket of shadow lays heavy on the city, the pale moon hung high in the air and Melissa's eyelids grew heavy beside you, placing the now empty wine glass on the coffee table as to not spill it. You catch the way her head falls forward, and you smile softly, silently placing a throw pillow behind her head. She gives you a disgruntled look, but let her head fall back against the pillow anyway, her eyes drifting closed. You cautiously stand, careful not to wake her as you pull the blanket over her completely, picking up the remote and switching off the show. You check that she's comfortable before taking the now empty plates to the kitchen, setting the in the sink to soak and heading to your bedroom, stripping down and throwing on a loose t-shirt and comfty shorts and crawling into your bed, tying your hair up before laying beneath the duvet. You let out a content sigh, enjoying the fresh sheets and soft pillows after your long day of almost non-stop cleaning.
The hours pass and the warm streams of light filter through the parting in your bedroom curtains as you stir, feeling well rested for the first time in a long time. You throw back the covers and drag yourself out of bed, rubbing your eyes and padding to the kitchen. You start brewing a pot of coffee. As it continues, you round the corner and walk to the doorway of the living room, seeing Melissa sluggishly sit up, stretching her back. You smile softly at the scene, even with her sleepy expression, she was still a vision, one that looks more peaceful than you've ever seen her. "Morning sleepyhead, hope the couch was comfty enough for you." She turns to look at you and rolls her eyes. "In all honesty, it's much nicer to sleep on than mine." Melissa jokes as she folds up the blanket, draping it on the back of the couch.
She stands up, hearing the coffee machine beeping, signalling it was done. You make your way to the kitchen with mel following behind, as you fill two mugs. She lazily walks to your fridge, getting out eggs and some other things, before cooking like with a comfortable confidence, just like the night before. You silently drink your coffee with a soft hum, that was until you heard a knock on your front door. Your brows furrow, not expecting anyone, you set your cup down and head to the door, trying to remember if you had any deliveries, but as you bring your eye to the peephole, your confusion sky rockets, swinging the door open, you see your mother on the other side of the door.
"Mom? What are you doing here? It's sunday- i thought you weren't going to be here until Wednesday?" You ask, though she doesn't give it any mind as she walks past you, looking around your apartment with sharp eyes. After assessing the space, she opened her mouth to finally reply, but the smell of eggs hits her, and she walks to the kitchen, seeing Melissa, who was in her leggings and her eagles hoodie from the day before, her hair tied back as she cooked in your space. A wide smirk spread across your mothers face, and you rush to her side, "Y/N dear, you never told me you were living with someone, certainly not a woman of her beauty" "Ma, she's not-" you try to explain but to your surprise, Melissa butt's in, an innocent smile stretching across her face. "Names Melissa, and you must be her mother. She's told me all about you."
Your eyes widen in surprise and confusion at her making no attempt to correct your mother. You watch as mel sets the spatula to the side, turning to face your mother fully, the sweet smile on her face only reinforcing your mom's conclusion. "Has she really? All good things, I hope." The two of them continue their back and forth as you stood frozen in disbelief, mel mentioning ever so casually that she slept over, that you work together, and how close the two of you are, none of it a lie but vague enough to indulge your mom, who makes a joke about 'workplace romance' before finally excusing herself to your bathroom. The minute you hear the quiet click of the door shutting, you march over to Melissa.
"What are you doing?" Your voice formed a hushed whisper. "I'm being friendly, what? Would you prefer I be rude to her?" "Of course not, but why on earth haven't you corrected her- y'know she thinks you're my girlfriend, right? Which means she'll want you to be here on Wednesday- y'know cause she thinks we live together." The redhead let's out a light laugh, a smug smirk on her lips. "That's what I'm hoping for." You were baffled at her words, about to argue, but to your misfortune, your mom returns. "Y/N dear, I can't stay long, I have to meet your sister for coffee," she declares, not before turning to mel, "Melissa, darling, I'm hoping to get to know you more on Wednesday, it was lovely meeting you." With a deep sigh, you follow your mother to the door, "she seems like a keeper. You chose well, dear." She smirks before leaving.
Shutting the door behind her, you lean agaisnt it, trying to process what the fuck just happened. You run a hand through your hair and return to mel, who was leisurely plating the eggs and bacon "are you serious?" She looks up, her amused eyes meeting yours, "what?" "You know what. You know she's expecting you to show, right?" "Of course I do, I'm not an idiot, hon." "So why'd you agree then?" "Cause it will be fun, and plus I'm not opposed to acting as your girlfriend for one afternoon." You sigh, but you can't help the laugh that escapes your throat, shaking your head as you take your plate of food, "fine, but you're dealing with all of her questions, not me."
A satisfied and smug expression paints her features at your reluctant agreement, teetering to the table as she sits down with you. You rolled your eyes, but can't help but feel a warmth in your chest at the idea of spending an afternoon, surrounded by family and her, pretending to be her girlfriend, now that was a thought that was more than welcome.
It's super small for now to keep it manageable. The idea is you can join text channels or (quiet, muted!) voice channels to do tasks alongside others.
How does this work?
For example, you want to sit and read a book, but you keep getting distracted.
Usecase 1: You can send a message in the text chat: "I'm going to read for the next 20 minutes!" and others might cheer you on, and you have some feeling of accountability :)
Usecase 2: You can join the body doubling voice channel. This channel doesn't allow speaking or webcams, just quiet focus. You can read your book while feeling like you're doing it alongside the others people in the channel :)
There are chats attached to the channels if you do want to talk, so you can do so without disturbing anyone in their focus!
If you're interested, the link to join is below the cut. Please note that the server is intended for people of 18 and older and allows no NSFW content, just to make moderation manageable.
Check out the bee's body doubling community on Discord – hang out with 1 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.
We're working on a server for those struggling with executive dysfunction to have a support group which will include
Reminder Pings (for work, breaks and other things)
Homework Help Forums (with an extensive guide on how to mark it for more or less work, Urgency and work size)
Proof Of Completion Channel (to keep you accountable)
Reward Channel (Set a reward for yourself publically so you're less inclined to just take it before you are done- when you finish you link your proof of completion to it and people can congratulate you and tell you to get that well earned reward!)
Motivation Channel! (Ask for motivation to do things like cheering you on or if being told to do stuff helps ask there!)
Breaks channel with reminder pings allowed where you can chat but are encouraged to tell people to go work at breaks end :)
Completely Mute VC (for working fine but needing people there in presence to get stuff done)
Streaming VCs (for those needing to show work they are doing to make sure it gets done or need help- if you don't want help but need to screen share there is a mute screen share!)
VC Pings for body doubling
VC Ping generally
Gaming VC ping
Dead chat pings for both regular Chat and Gaming Chat
Distraction channels generally for when you're done and want to normally socialize! (You earned it!)
And more! (We will take requests!)
We will have some boundaries for who can join but will not go poking and proding
Consider it the honor system unless you talk about it yk?
You can comment to be pinged when we let ppl in if ya want
Are you putting off your physical therapy because it's boring, hurts, makes you dizzy, or for any other reason? I understand. I have been there.
I'm not allowed to go to bed until I stand in a corner, barefoot on a pillow, and do my stupid head tilts and head circles. So I'm going to do that. And you, you can do your PT, too. We've got this.
