Ever dreamed of writing a book but felt stuck by doubt, distractions, or a busy life? In this episode, I’m joined by Gail Doggett from Book Doubling to explore how simple, supportive structures like shared-screen writing, working in pockets of time, and compassionate accountability can help neurodivergent writers finally finish their projects and even enjoy the process. If you’ve got a big idea and no clear place to start, this might be the permission (and the method) you’ve been waiting for.
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This episode of The Freelancers Tea Break is a gentle but honest conversation about what it really takes to get a book written when your brain does not love long projects.
It’s also a conversation about writing a book as a neurodivergent person, and why ADHD often changes the process far more than traditional advice suggests.
I’m joined by my friend and book coach Gail Doggett, founder of Book Doubling. Gail specialises in supporting neurodivergent writers, particularly people with ADHD, to finally finish the books they have been carrying around in their heads for years.
This conversation felt especially timely because I now have a finished book, something I genuinely never believed I could say. We talk openly about what helped, what didn’t, and why writing does not have to look the way productivity culture tells us it should.
Why writing a book can feel impossible with ADHD
One of the biggest themes we come back to is permission. Many neurodivergent writers have spent years believing they are “bad at finishing things” or incapable of sustained focus. Often that belief comes from being undiagnosed for a long time, or from trying to force ourselves into systems that were never designed for our brains.
Gail explains how common it is to jump straight from “I’d love to write a book” to imagining the finished product, while skipping over the messy middle where the actual writing happens. That gap between idea and execution is where most people get stuck.
We also talk about how unrealistic advice, like writing every day or producing thousands of words in one sitting, can quietly stop people from starting at all.
What Book Doubling actually looks like
Book Doubling is built around body doubling, a technique where someone works alongside you, either in person or on screen. The presence of another person helps with task initiation, focus, and follow through.
In our sessions, we worked with shared screen writing, which turned out to be surprisingly powerful. Knowing someone could see my screen removed the temptation to drift off into emails or social media, but without shame or pressure. If I got distracted or needed to talk something through, that was part of the process, not a failure.
That external accountability took away so much of the mental load. I did not have to keep deciding when I should write. The time was booked, protected, and already agreed.
Writing in pockets of time, not perfect conditions
Another big shift was letting go of the idea that writing needs long, uninterrupted stretches of time. Like many freelancers and parents, my life is made up of pockets. School runs, waiting around during activities, short windows between calls.
Instead of fighting that, we worked with it. Writing during trampolining sessions. Writing in focused blocks during the day. Treating writing as something that fits into real life, not something that waits for ideal circumstances.
Gail makes an important point here. Staying “in touch” with your book counts. Jotting notes, voice memos, scribbles in a notebook all keep the thread alive, even when you are not actively writing.
Developing a writing practice, not just finishing a book
Rather than obsessing over word counts or deadlines, the focus was on developing a writing practice that felt sustainable. That meant noticing when writing felt good, when it felt hard, and why.
Keeping a simple log of what I worked on and how I felt after each session made a big difference. Looking back at that proof helped counter the familiar feeling of “I haven’t done anything”, which so many of us carry around.
We also talk about why consistency does not have to mean daily writing. Many neurodivergent people work in bursts, and that is not a flaw. It is just how our brains operate.
Why writing can feel like self care
One of my favourite parts of the conversation is when we talk about flow. When writing is going well, it feels like flying. It is absorbing, calming, and oddly restorative.
For me, writing became one of the few times I was properly single tasking. No multitasking, no constant phone checking, just being in one place mentally. That felt like a form of self care, especially in a year that required a lot of energy elsewhere.
Support, scaffolding, and doing it your way
We also touch on editing, which I found much harder than writing, and why having support matters at that stage too. This is not about doing everything alone or proving you can struggle through it. It is about building scaffolding that makes the work possible.
Gail shares how Book Doubling works through one to one sessions, Write Club, and quieter co writing spaces that prioritise focus over chatter. Everything is designed to reduce friction, not add more rules.
If you’re thinking about writing a book
If you have a book idea that has been sitting with you for years, this episode is a reminder that you are not broken, lazy, or incapable. You might just need different tools, different pacing, and a bit of permission to do it your way.
If you’d like to explore Book Doubling, you can find Gail at Book Doubling online, on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Substack under Whizzy Brain. And details of her membership and ways you can connect ad work with her are on her website.
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And if this conversation sparks questions about writing, ADHD, or getting started, come and tell us. You can comment on Spotify, join the Facebook group or Discord, or send a message. I’d love to know what’s been holding you back, and what might help you move forward.
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