Take a behind-the-curtain peek at the inspiration and making of ADHD and Me and how I found my artist, Leonie Cheetham, who brought my character, Malory, to life.
The story behind the story
I’ve had many people ask me, “What inspired you to write this book?” And the answer is that Malory was inspired by my personal experiences as a child with ADHD. Growing up, I experienced many of the same thoughts and feelings portrayed by the character Malory in the story.
As a young adult, I began reading countless books about ADHD, hoping to find a connection and understanding for kids. But I came across two things that frustrated me. Firstly, most of the books I read, even those written about children with ADHD, were designed to be read by adults. And almost all of them focused on young boys with ADHD.
I thought back to my childhood and how many times I felt alone emotionally. I had people who loved me, but lacked a feeling of true understanding and connection with others, especially my peers. Often, I felt there was no one else who related to me, and that can feel isolating. How I wish I could have seen a story about someone who felt and thought like I did, told from their own voice.
That’s when I realized that I wanted to write this book. And I knew exactly what my goals in writing it would be. I wanted my story to speak directly to kids and portray the feelings and emotions that children with ADHD experience. And I wanted it to be told from the perspective of a young girl.
My hope in writing this story was for it to be a comfort and inspiration to children who feel and think the way Malory does. I wanted to reassure those kids that they were loved and one-of-a-kind, and I wanted to ensure that they knew that they were not alone.
FINDING MY ARTIST
After the writing and editing process was complete, I had to decide what path of publication to pursue. In the end, I decided I wanted to pursue independent publishing. This route, though requiring a great amount of work and presenting many challenges, particularly for picture books, was the one I chose because, unlike traditional publishing, which is a team effort, involving not only the author’s ideas, but also outside opinions of the editorial publishing team and art director, as well as the illustrator, I would have full creative control of story concept as well as illustration.
I had a very distinct idea of what I wanted my illustrations to look like and how I wanted the character design and art style to appear. I knew that going traditional would mean giving up these freedoms of control, and as this story was so close to my heart, I knew it was worth it to me to find the exact right fit.
I started my search for illustrators who did freelance and work-for-hire illustrations online. I looked at many beautiful artist portfolios throughout this process, but only one spoke to me as the perfect fit for Malory. The artist, Leonie Cheetham, was a former librarian located in Sydney, Australia. Her watercolors had a gentle playfulness to them that immediately drew my attention. I knew this was Malory’s creator!
I reached out to Leonie and shared my vision and story for Malory, and she readily accepted to take on the assignment. We agreed upon terms and formed a work-for-hire contract for all the illustrations needed to fit the story. The rest is history.
From the beginning, I sensed that Leonie connected with my passion for this project, and I believe that’s what drove her to want to bring Malory to life. She wanted Malory to be shared with the world as much as I did. Having an artist who connects with the story makes all the difference.
AFTER PUBLICATION
It has been my greatest joy hearing warm, positive feedback from readers who express sentiments like, “I teared up, because this exactly describes what my son/daughter goes through.” Or hearing kids say, “I love this book!” or “This is how I feel.” Knowing that my story is capable of making someone else feel seen and understood is a priceless feeling of happiness that no words can fully express.
It’s nearing the end of my writing year 2025, and there have been so many things to happen and celebrate during these months. Over the past few years, I’ve gotten into the habit of putting together an inspirational end-of-year publishing highlight board to keep me motivated and remind me of all the “wins,” big and small. Last year (2024), I started one, but never got around to finishing it. So this year, I wanted to try to resurrect this personal tradition.
Here’s a peek at some of the highlights and “wins” that I’m most grateful and excited for…
If you’ve been keeping up with my IG/X posts, you may have recently noticed a juicy, exciting post or two about some *VAGUE* writing news. If you haven’t heard the news, I recently signed my first-ever traditional book deal with *VAGUE* publisher! I can’t share all the details- yet, but here’s what I can tell you…
You can expect to see not one, not two, not three, but four books- yes, you read that correctly-FOUR BOOKS coming your way from yours truly in the not-so-distant future.
If you’re thinking, “Wow! Unbelievable!” You’re not alone. I’m also thinking that. And even though I signed my contract last month (August 2025) and have gone back multiple times to look at it to make sure I’m not dreaming, I’m still pinching myself to make sure this is, in fact, REAL and not some kind of writer’s mental break hallucination. You’ll be pleased to know that after verifying with multiple friends and family members, it is, in fact, REAL, and not something I’ve just imagined. Which, really, wouldn’t be such a strange thing to happen, since we writers have such notoriously vivid and overactive imaginations.
I’ll be in touch with more details as they come, and as I’m permitted to share them. Thanks for reading, and as always, for your continued support and encouragement.
This month, I joined Brittany Wuthrich on her YouTube video Creator Series for writers and illustrators. We talked about publishing routes, traditional versus self-publishing, joining and finding a community within the kid-lit space, and our favorite shows to veg out to.
Interview with Chelsea DiCicco: When Is It Too Early To Start Querying Agents?
Working in a creative field can be tricky… and mentally exhausting. This career path is littered with wonky obstacles and challenges, one of those being the struggle to keep creativity alive. So where does the happy medium lie between balancing life and keeping creativity thriving?
In this exclusive interview with Bold Journey Magazine on February 19, 2025, we discuss the ups and downs of publishing and ways to keep fresh ideas growing. I share my personal tips and challenges and ways that I’ve been able to juggle life with creative endeavors, as well as different resources/things that have helped me along the way. Check it out HERE!
As a creative entrepreneur, it’s my belief that shared experiences are part of the cornerstone for continued growth and success. Having the mindset that you can learn from anyone or any experience opens the door to limitless opportunities and helps you stay a forever student. Which is why I’m so passionate about sharing people’s stories!
If you’re a regular on my blog, you’re probably familiar with the Feature Interview segment, which features guests from all around the world sharing their literary journeys. Hosting these guests on my blog every month brings me such joy because I know that somewhere out there, it’s helping someone else grow!
Normally, I spend my time happily on the side of the host, but at the beginning of January 2025, I was approached by Sarah Garcia, a member of the editorial team of CanvasRebel Magazine, and invited to the other side as one of their interview guests. If you’re unfamiliar with CanvasRebel, they’re a fabulous organization whose mission is “to create a space for artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs to be able to learn from their peers through the magic and power of storytelling.” Which, for me, as a writer and literary blogger, is right up my alley. So, I immediately, without hesitation, said YES!
Our interview went live on January 20th, 2025, in their ‘Stories and Insights.’ During the course of our interview together,we talked about what it takes to be successful, shared writing resources, and discussed resilience in the face of difficulty.READ MORE…
With a whole list of neurodiverse holidays, like World Mental Health Day, National Disability Employment Awareness, Down Syndrome Awareness, Dyslexia Awareness, and, of course, ADHD Awareness- October was an exciting month for libraries, bookstores, and neurodivergent families everywhere!
I was so excited to be a part of two local events hosted this October. One, hosted by Barnes and Noble, located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and the other, hosted by Gallatin Public Library, located in Gallatin, Tennessee.
BARNES AND NOBLE: STORYTIME, CRAFTS & BOOK SIGNINGS
On Saturday, October 12th, I headed out with a car full of family- my husband (aka) forever hype man, my parents, who made the drive up from North Carolina, and my 77-year-old grandma, who flew in from Florida. Having my crew of loved ones and supporters here to share in the fun made these book events an unforgettable experience.
A little about my family and how they connect to the story of ADHD AND ME:
From the beginning of my unofficial writing journey (as soon as I started making books at the fresh age of five years old, with scraps of paper bound together with my dad’s stapler, complete with full text and terrifying-yet-somehow-adorable illustrations by yours truly of cross-eyed, rainbow-colored stick-figures with gigantic heads, unibrows, and wonky arms, and don’t forget the “about the author” bio on the back cover) my mom, dad, and grandma were my biggest fans and greatest cheerleaders. They continually encouraged me to “keep writing!” And oh, how helpful those words would later be for the journey that lay ahead. True to the task, I followed their advice and kept on writing. And writing. And writing. All the way into my adult years. Never waning for my first love of literature and stories.
Then, one day, I wrote a story about something very personal to me. My childhood experiences with ADHD. I remember how moved my parents were when they read this story, in particular. “All of your stories are good, Chel,” my dad told me, “But this one is really special.”
They then encouraged me to seriously consider pursuing publication. But I wasn’t a “real” writer. I didn’t have a four-year writing degree from a prestigious writing institute or know where to begin with querying or submitting. But I knew that the story was important. And if it had the ability to touch someone’s heart and mind… make someone feel seen or understood, or help someone to better understand or see… if it could give someone hope or make someone feel good about themselves… then I knew that I had to find a way to share it with others.
My parents echoed the same feelings. So much so that they told me they wanted to help fund the project. The funds they provided would go toward helping me enlist the illustrator who would bring Malory to life.
Now, if you’ve ever done it, you know that attempting to write and publish picture books independently is no easy task, and it’s especially tricky when you aren’t an illustrator.
Because it means that now you have to find someone whose art matches the style that you’re looking for and an artist who sees the vision of your work in the way that you want it to be portrayed, all without the help of an editor, agent, or art designer.
Finding the perfect person took time. But eventually… Malory’s artist was discovered. *Read more about the journey of discovering Malory’s artist in The Making of Maloryhere.*
Fast forward to today… I now have this precious book to hold in my hands and place into new ones.
Sharing my journey with others has been a life-changing experience. As an introverted person who enjoys quiet time alone with my thoughts and one-or-two close friends/family members, talking with people who I don’t know (especially about myself) is not a skill set I was born with.
Typically, I’m quiet in large groups, especially. I keep to myself and am very selective/careful with who I choose to share my innermost heart and feelings with. But when you’re a writer, there’s a side of you that needs to be shared with others. It’s that side of you- the vulnerable person who you truly are behind the page- that connects you with your readers. And that connection is nothing short of magic. Connecting with my readers has been, hands down, the most incredible, rewarding, and wonderful part of my writing journey.
The moments that make it all worthwhile for me:
Talking with a mother or grandmother about their child or grandchild and their diagnosis with ADHD or ASD, and the things they’ve experienced at school with teachers and peers, or challenges they’ve had to overcome or are facing now. Listening to people share their stories and then, in turn, seeing the emotional connection they make with my story and with my book. It has been a whole new world of eye-opening. I’ve had so many parents come up to me and thank me for writing and sharing this book with them and for making it available for families like theirs who desperately need it. I’ve had kids come up to me amazed and tell me that the feelings of the character in the story are the same feelings they have. And seeing the smile on their face when they recognize the emotions? Or overhearing them tell their parent, “That’s how I feel.” It’s an indescribable jumble of emotions. It makes me want to cry and dance and everything in between.
During the October event at Barnes and Noble, I talked with a mother of two; she had a boy and a girl between the ages of 6-10 (both of whom I got to meet that day) who both had ADHD. Hearing her express their experiences in the safety of that quiet little corner toward the back of the bookstore gave us both a sense of mutual calm and understanding. She spoke softly and pressed her hand to her heart as she described in detail the personal challenges that her family was currently going through and, in turn, asked thoughtful questions regarding my own experiences with ADHD.
Another woman eagerly approached my table with her five-year-old son and mother-in-law. She opened up about her son’s journey with Autism Spectrum Disorder and the different ways in which those experiences affected their everyday life, both inside and outside of their home. She shared how it affected his relationships and connection with others, whether it be at school or among friends and family. I shared details in the story and the connection of ASD and finding outlets to express ourselves, with the example of art, and Ms. Julie (a character in the book, ADHD AND ME.) I also shared with her details about my day job working in ABA Therapy as a Behavior Technician and the work I do with children with ASD. After some wonderful conversations, I then did something that I never do at author events with this book. I did a read-aloud storytime.
Why don’t I normally do a public read-aloud of ADHD AND ME?
Some books are great for reading aloud in a group. They’re fun. They’re engaging. They’re silly. But this story is gentle- best described as a quiet book to be read by a parent or close adult friend/relative to a child in a one-on-one setting. Why? Because this allows for emotional intimacy for little readers to open up about big emotions, talk with parents about how they’re feeling, or parents to ask questions and/or invite conversation after/during the story. As I read the book aloud, I caught glimpses of tears on both mothers’ faces. Thankfully, I was able to power through the reading and not start crying myself! (I am a bit of a sap.)
The result? After storytime, we (kids + family + me) worked together on DIY crafts. Then, I signed everyone’s personal copy, ADHD AND ME, and we snapped some photos. Our families all went home with free goody bags filled with custom book swag, including crayons, coloring books, bookmarks, and stickers, with artwork from the story and their very own one-of-a-kind streamer wands.
GALLATIN PUBLIC LIBRARY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY
Meanwhile, across town, over in Gallatin, Tennessee… our public librarians were celebrating neurodiversity of all kinds! This year, their theme was CREATIVE MINDS: EXPLORING MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH THE ARTS & LITERATURE. Though I couldn’t be there in person for this event, as I was at an author event out of state at the Barnes and Noble in Bowling Green, Kentucky, my good friends at the library sent me some fantastic photos! Two library visitors went home that day with their very own pre-signed copy of ADHD AND ME.
In closing, I’d just like to say thank you. Thank you to all my readers. Big and small. Your stories make a difference. Your voice is important. You MATTER. I appreciate each and every one of you- and there’s a list filled with names of other people who appreciate you, too! It’s great having people appreciate and love you. But it’s important to remember to appreciate and love yourself too. So, this is my personal reminder for you. APPRECIATE AND LOVE YOURSELF- YOU’RE WORTH IT!
If you’re curious about the book and would like to have a copy of your very own, here’s a link to where you can purchase it. If you have other questions or comments, I’d love to hear them! You can post them below this blog article, and I’ll respond as soon as I can.
Good morning everyone! I hope you’re having a great first day of the 50 Precious Words Contest. Thank you Vivian for bringing us this fun community driven kidlit contest every year! Last year, my entry was about cupcakes. [Monday Morning Cupcakes!] This year, my entry is about turkeys. At first glance, it may not seem like these two topics have anything to do with one another, but here’s a hint: they’re both potentially delicious.
Here’s a little background to give you some more context on where I was when writing both stories. Last year, around this time, I was watching a lot of cooking and baking shows. Mmm, yum! This year, around this time, I’ve been binge watching Stranger Things and Whodunnit’s. Does that clue you in?
So without further ado, please enjoy my 2024 50 Precious Words entry: FOWL PLAY.
P.S. Let me know what you thought of the story in the comments below!
FOWL PLAY By Chelsea DiCicco 50 Words
November was just around the corner… And Turkey had goosebumps. He didn’t want to be gobbled up! Then, one day, in drama class, He hatched a plan. It was BIG. It was BOLD. It was… Fowl play. The perfect theatrical escape! His audience ate it up. And Turkey… Was free.
Hello book loving friends and welcome to my summary post for my writing year in 2023. Whether you love writing books, reading them, or more likely, both, it’s a pleasure to have you with me. If you’ve been following along my kidlit writing journey, you probably know this year has been busy busy- and next year is set to be EVEN busier. With 24 wonderful literary guests lined up for Feature Interviews on Chelsea’s World of Books Blog in 2024, shifting this special segment from once a month to bi-monthly (first and third Wednesday of the month), and an added monthly newsletter (the last Friday of each month) we’re on track for an amazing 2024. But before I jump ahead into the new year, I always like to take a moment to reflect on the progress of the journey. Each step counts. And each one should be appreciated- and celebrated! So, without further ado, here are the highlights.
JANUARY
It was a busy January with Tara Lazar’s Storystorm, Storyteller Academy’s Children’s Book Challenge Week, with special guest Author/Illustrator of Mixed A Colorful Story, Arree Chung, and a Feature Interview on Chelsea’s World of Books Blog with local Children’s Book Author of Bird and the Tree, Brittany Wuthrich. And we can’t forget the start of a new year with Julie Hedlund’s 12X12 Picture Book Challenge, SCBWI, Picture Book Society Critique Group, and webinar with Children’s Book Author and host of 12×12, Julie Hedlund and visiting guest literary agent with Andrea Brown Literary, Paige Terlip; How to Impress an Agent In Today’s Picture Book Market.
Are you a children’s writer or illustrator looking for answers on these topics?
February was a fun-filled month of events! I enjoyed the January replay Bookchat on 12×12 with Children’s Book Author and host, Julie Hedlund and her guest, Children’s Book Author, Razeena Omar Gutta and attended February’s Book Chat live with 12×12 Featured author of Justice Makes a Difference, Dr. Artika Tyner. And, we can’t forget #PBPitch Twitter Event (now X) and February’s Feature Interview with local artist and freelance illustrator and library director, Alycia Neighbours, on Chelsea’s World of Books Blog.
Interested in finding out more about Alycia and learning answers to question like “Where can I find work as a freelance illustrator?” or simply want to see some of her artwork? Visit her Feature Interview HERE.
MARCH
March was another fun month of activity with Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words Contest, which I entered with my story MONDAY MORNING CUPCAKES. On the blog this month, I enjoyed hosting visiting guest, Children’s Book Author, Janet S. Johnson.
In April, I entered the PBParty Contest, hosted by Mindy Alyse Weiss, with one of my picture books, and was awarded an Honorable Mention for 2023. I also entered the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest, hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez, with my entry WAKE UP WORLD, IT’S SPRING! and applied for the Picture Book Rising Stars Mentorship Program, founded and hosted by Ebony Mudd and Kailei Pew. And I enjoyed having visiting guest Children’s Book Author, Ellen Leventhal on my blog for a Feature Interview.
MAY
May is a time for hunkering down in the library… and putting finishing touches on all the preparations for Summer Reading Program. This month, I completed our prep for my library. And… I started writing a new middle-grade novel. I also enjoyed hosting TWO guests on my blog this month for a DOUBLE Feature Interview; Children’s Book Author Marzieh Abbas and special guest, Punjabi-Canadian illustrator and video game artist, Anu Chouhan.
Read more about Anu Chouhan and Marzieh Abbas’s publishing journeys in their Feature Interview HERE.
june-july
Summer is here! And the library is BUZZING with activity. This summer, our Summer Reading theme was ALL TOGETHER NOW. From community rock painting in the courtyard, to hosting local community markets and a variety of other fun activities for families, this summer kept me on my toes with delightful adventure. And not just inside the walls of the library… I also made multiple author visits and appearances at local bookstores, and had two author book signings with my book ADHD AND ME at different Barnes and Noble locations. One in Kentucky, one in Tennessee. I was also thrilled to have visiting Children’s Book Author, Nancy Churnin on the blog in June and Children’s Book Author, Aya Khalil in July.
Read more about Nancy and her publishing journey in her Feature Interview HERE.
Summer reading is finally wrapping up… and I can BREATHE again. Which means… it’s time to rejuvenate my writing juices. This month I attended the Mini Picture Book Summit and registered for October’s special Picture Book Summit with Julie Hedlund, Nikki Grimes, Erin E. Stead and Philip C. Stead, Emma Walton Hamilton, Katie Davis, Angela Dalton and special guest, Julie Andrews! Joining me on the blog this month was guest Children’s Book Author, Jess Townes.
Learn more about Jess Townes author journey in her Feature Interview HERE.
SEPTEMBER
In September I was thrilled to be able to go on a Librarian & Author School Visit with my fellow librarian friend, Connie Clark, Children’s Librarian. We enjoyed visiting Ms. Garret’s first-grade classroom at Indian Lake Elementary School and talking about the history of books and libraries. I was also able to offer the class a copy of my book, ADHD AND ME, along with some activity sheets, color pages, and lesson plans, found on TEACHER CORNER of my website. This month, I also applied for the WNDB (we need diverse books) mentorship program and welcomed debuting Children’s Book Author of BIG TRUCK PLAYDATE, Laurie Carmody onto the blog to discuss all things kidlit and publishing.
Read more about Laurie Carmody’s books and journey at her Feature Interview HERE.
OCTOBER
October was a BIG month for me. I received requests for more work from TWO agents! Woo-hoo! I also entered the Fall Writing Frenzy Contest, hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez, with a neurodiverse story about music. I attended the Picture Book Summit and pre-summit Pajama Party. I had my first agent call! And I applied for a Writing Barn Scholarship. And I enjoyed hosting visiting guest Children’s Book Author, Heather Stigall, on the blog for a wonderful conversation about all things publishing. I also opened submissions for 2024 Feature Interview Lineup and received over 150 applications!
This month I announced my final 24 finalists (out of over 150 applicants) for the 2024 Feature Interview Lineup on Chelsea’s World of Books Blog. I also welcomed Children’s Book author, Songju Ma Daemicke, onto the blog for a fascinating conversation on publishing. We discussed querying and rejections, cultural representation in books, publishing secrets and resources, the journey after publication, and more.
We’ve arrived at December. And it’s been a full year, littered with tiny wins and priceless experiences. Near misses? Sure. But there’s simply nothing like the journey! Continually growing and working toward your goals is the key to success. If you’re like me (that is, human) you’ll face minor setbacks, discouragements, and have moments where you may feel like throwing in the towel. On days like those, I like to remind myself of all the wonderful things I’ve been able to enjoy because of this community. So many precious moments shared. Something I’ve found to be very helpful when I’m dealing with these thoughts and feelings is to create a jar of positive things. That’s actually how my annual SUMMARY post came to be. Each small achievement or milestone adds up. And before you know it, you have a year FULL of successes! Keep in mind: not everyone’s successes will look the same. Why? Because we are all DIFFERENT. IMPORTANT: DON’T MEASURE YOURSELF WITH OTHER PEOPLE. It’s not an accurate measurement… because you will never BE that other person who you’re comparing yourself with. You’ll only ever be YOU. And what a special gift that is. So cherish it! Measure your successes, by your standard of the very special YOU who you are. Understand your limitations and respect them. Set up boundaries for yourself. And remember: HAVE FUN!
And now… here are some of the things that I’ve had happen this December. I was able to attend Adventure Beings at Your Library Summer Symposium with a number of outstanding speakers, founder and creator of Story Be Told, and former educator, with 30 years of summer reading under her belt, Jen Strauss, CSLP’s Managing Editor, Alyssa Graybeal, and West Baton Rouge Parish Library, Early Literacy Manual Chair, Angela Germany to name a few. I was also able to attend the QUERY QUESTIONS ANSWERED Insider Secrets to Soaring out of the Slush Pile webinar, live with with Emma Walton Hamilton & Julie Hedlund.
Read about Howard Pearlstein’s road to success in publishing HERE.
Hello kidlit friends, are you as pumped as I am? The only thing more exciting than pumpkins in October is the #FallWritingFrenzy!
Writing contests are a great way to find community and discover new and wonderful stories from diverse creators all over the world. Speaking of which… if you’re a kidlit writer or illustrator, please take a moment to subscribe to my blog. Trust me- you won’t regret it!
Among the many helpful blog posts I put out for readers like librarian-recommended book lists specific to reading group age or genre, one of the most exciting things I offer are monthly Feature Interview segments. On the first of every month, I publish feature interviews with members of the writing community, where we discuss all things publishing.
These interviews are an INVALUABLE resource for creators at all stages of the publishing journey. We talk about writing workshops, resources, diversity in literature and why it matters, where to find support and community, how to improve writing craft and set goals, how to deal with setbacks, disappointments, and waiting, helpful tips and suggestions for aspiring authors and illustrators, querying agents, contract negotiations, book deals, and time frames, and of course- new books!
Now that I’ve shared that little tidbit with you… back to our Fall Writing Frenzy!
I’m so excited to share my story with you all.
But before I do, I want to explain a little bit about the background of what this story means to me and why I wrote it.
From a very early age, I had a deep emotional connection to music. Though I enjoyed all music, I found a “home” in orchestras and symphonies because they allowed my mind to form a connection of understanding that I had never before experienced with people. For me, a symphony is a neurodiverse lullaby.
Being on the neurodivergent spectrum (ADHD), my mind doesn’t always stay on one path or at one volume. It ebbs and flows, sometimes unexpectedly. This can present challenges for me in everyday verbal communication because my emotions and thoughts don’t translate or flow into words in the same pattern as many of my neurotypical peers. The chaos and structure in my mind play out differently… much like a symphony.
So, now that you have an idea of my inspiration, here is the image that I associated with this story. I hope you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
All my love,
Chelsea
Photo 7 by Jonas Mohamadi
My Mind is a Symphony (199 words) by Chelsea DiCicco
When I hear the rushing sounds of the clarinet…
The zip of the flute…
The swish of the violin strings…
The calming purr of the cello…
The sharp squawk of the oboe…
The gentle strum of the harp…
I am home.
My mind whirs
Tumbles
And dances
To the warm embrace of chaos and structure
Quick! LOUD bursts
And slow, soft melodies
Blended together to create something spectacular
Like my thoughts
Never staying in one place
…Or at one volume
S c a t t e r e d
Like wild notes
Strewn across a sheet of music
One moment, fast and excited like Flight of the Bumblebee,
The next, calm and smooth, like Moonlight Sonata.
A constantly moving orchestra of dreams…
Leaping, wriggling, cascading off one another.
Flitting from one idea to the next.
I shut my eyes and take a deep breath,
Letting the vibrations pulse through my brain,
Like a kaleidoscope of butterflies.
Fluttering
Frenzied
Free!
An ensemble of energy fills me from head to toe.
Here, only here, is my mind in complete harmony.
Finally, at peace.
My thoughts echo every long pause
And shift of volume…
And mirror each sudden blast of sound and change in tempo.
My mind is a symphony.
Thank you for reading!
If you have a friend or family member on any spectrum under the neurodiverse umbrella, and are looking for a list of neurodiverse reads (for any age) be sure to check out my personalized list of over 100 book recommendations + resources. Additionally, if you’re looking for a gentle picture book, (with gorgeous watercolor illustrations) that explores ADHD/Autism and embraces themes of finding beauty in your differences- aka “gifts,” take a peek at my book, ADHD and Me.
And now, a round of thank you’s
For everyone reading today, please give a warm thank you in the comments to all of our guest judges & prize donors who have worked so hard to volunteer their time and energy to sift through these gems and select winners from among them, to help mentor writers on their path to growth and publication. And of course, we can’t forget our wonderful host, Kaitlyn Sanchez! I believe 2023 marks the fifth year of this wonderful annual contest. If you don’t know who Kaitlyn Sanchez is… please, by all means, go and visit her website! Not only is she a champion and supporter of writers and illustrators as a Literary Agent, she’s also the host of various writing contests and events like the Spring Fling Contest, Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest and Kidlit Zombie Week, – and she offers a ton of fantastic resources to other fun writing contests and events on her website, so please, take a moment to stop by.
