adhd_alien
patreon
How criticism has shaped me (early access)
🕑 Added 2020-04-12 19:07:43 +0000 UTCHey!
My boyfriend sometimes suggests I make more of these graphics when I don't have a lot of time. But you know what? These graphics take so much more time than the traditional comics I make.
I think they'll be worth it though! As mentioned before, it's pretty hard to work on anything that tries to explain emotions, as emotions are one of the least talked about ADHD topic. I want to make sure everything I write about is correct so I do a lot of research, but I also have to try and stay a real human being (or rather, Alien being).
I often start these graphics by just writing down what is to be understood as a neurological or psychological concept, e.g. "negative feedback loop". Then in the next step, I have to try and translate all of that into real life talk. How do I actually experience this in my daily life? I constantly get scolded, people might say "fine then, I'll do it myself", and other things.
A fun fact about me is that I actually have a Bachelors Degree in Game Design! So I often think about the concepting stages as Level Design: I have to guide my readers through the image just like through a game level, and give the ideal wordings for people to understand what I'm trying to get at. I won't be there to clarify anything to the reader, so I have to consider what I draw and write from every possible angle (thanks anxiety, for making me good at that /s).
But then, at the end of the day, I have to remember that this isn't just some design job. Why am I even doing this? Because I felt so broken. Because I was unable to make anyone understand what I go through. Because my words weren't enough to reach anyone, so I was alone and disconnected from my family and my loved ones. So, what do I want them to finally understand about me?
Also! Here's another small preview for the first graphic of the of the entire RSD topic. I can't show this one (and the cycle) in full detail yet because the text is still too rough (I often write incomprehensible, inaccurate garbage in the very first stage just so I can remember what I wanted to get at later, but if anyone would read it, they'd completely get the wrong message). You can see that in the headline for the preview comic, "How criticism has shaped me and influences my daily life", where I write down what a clever, short headline will eventually have to entail.
Alright, I hope you enjoyed this little tid-bit insight into my workflow! I love rambling about concepting workflows ahhh
Comments
SJ Boddie-Schick
Hi! I'm a brand new patron and I just wanted to say THANK YOU. I'm 43 and newly diagnosed/medicated. I was misdiagnosed for years. My ADHD manifests so much like yours that your comic is what gave the validation I needed to seek serious help. It's working. Your work matters, thank you. 💜
david christianson
Jenlifer it can be so life ruining when someone we love and respect is not supportive in a way that we want them to be. Sit down with your husband and talk to him about it. What is it that stops him from having more enthusiasm? What does he think he can do to help support your ambition as a writer. What if his taste in literature differs from yours? What permission would you need to give to yourself to write for your enjoyment?
Jenlifer Fronester
True story: I have some talent as a writer, but my husband doesn't like my writing. He encourages me to write and his dislike is only expressed through his inability to muster much enthusiasm when he has seen what I write, but the fact that he didn't like my fiction almost ten years ago has resulted in my pretty much giving up writing completely. I cannot overemphasize that he isn't generally critical, is a wonderful, loving partner, and encourages me to do things that I love. It's pure RSD--I cannot bear the thought of writing something and him not liking it again. Rejection sensitivity is kind of life-ruining.
Cristina Prado
Wait... Other ppl get that 'monster' feeling too? I thought I was the only one.
I am so glad I stumbled across your page. Finally finding someone who can put into words and images what I go through feels like a miracle. I've been sharing these with my boyfriend to try to help him understand me better. He's been so supportive through all of this. I just got my diagnosis last September and I cried when I finally had a name for what was "wrong" with me. Slowly learning to recognize why I do what I do and identifying it as a "symptom" of my adhd. Thank you for all of your hard work. ❤
spectria.limina
Thanks for the quick reply! I'd love to see the dedicated site get updated, but I imagine that's a lot of work.
ADHD Alien
You can find them on my social media https://linktr.ee/adhdalien . Instagram has all of them in one place :). I often think about posting the finals to patreon as well but just forget under the mass of pages I have to update
spectria.limina
Where do you post these when complete? I often want to link someone then forget to look when it leaves Early Access
Bree Zender-Payne
Thank you for sharing! I really relate to this.
Itamar Croitoru
You're doing amazing work! It's nice to see someone with this who can put into words what the rest of us can't. No matter what anyone ever tells you, the world needs you!
