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Craft & Chaos Interview: Jules Tobias
Every writer brings a unique lens to the page, shaped by their experiences, imagination, and way of moving through the world. For neurodivergent (ND) writers, that lens often reveals fresh perspectives, unexpected connections, and creative approaches that challenge traditional ideas of what writing should look like.
In this Q&A, Jules Tobias shares when they first discovered they were neurodivergent, which tools and habits help them write, and what they do after a productive writing day.
Q: Can you introduce yourself and share a little about the kind of writing you do?
A: Hi! My name is Jules, and I'm a 26-year-old from the California Bay Area. I have a bachelor’s in Creative Writing and an associate’s in Literature. I love writing poetry, short stories, and occasional non-fiction snippets. I am an enjoyer of speculative fiction, and my favorite genres to indulge in writing are fantasy, horror, and LGBTQ romance. A lot of my inspiration comes from the types of media I consume—this can be other short stories, animation, web comics, or even video games. When it comes to neurodivergence, I am diagnosed with both Generalized Anxiety Disorder and ADHD.
Q: When did you first realize your brain approached writing differently?
A: Probably in high school when writing essays got harder for me, and that started to translate into my creative work as well. Writing blocks were more common, and I had to learn to write around the blocks rather than through them.
Q: Can you describe your writing routine? How does your neurodivergence influence it?
A: I cannot write stories in chronological order. It's physically not possible; my brain will latch onto the most “vivid” scene(s) it has and demand that I write around those core ideas. Additionally, if there's even one sentence I don't like for any reason at all, I will get stuck on that section until I figure out how to revise it in a way that feels satisfying to me. There's a reason all my published stories are two pages or less… It’s because I’m still working through perfectionism for all my longer WIPs.
Q: Are there certain tools, spaces, or habits that make writing easier for you?
A: Coffee!... sometimes. Coffee is an ADHD stimulant, so sometimes a latte will succeed in stimulating inspiration and an excitement to get writing… or it'll make me absolutely exhausted. It's hit or miss. Talking about what I'm writing helps as well, if I have anyone available who’s willing to hear my ideas. Sometimes I’ll think of what to write next while talking about my WIPs. While I can’t listen to music while writing because the added noise distracts me, I do enjoy making playlists for my stories to help inspire me.
Q: What is your biggest challenge as a neurodivergent writer?
A: Other than not being able to focus, oftentimes I NEED some sort of visual to get started. I'll often end up using Picrew or making a Pinterest board to design a character before writing about them. I need to be able to see the story unraveling in my mind's eye before putting it down on the page.
Q: What does a really productive writing day look like for you?
A: If I can get even a couple pages down, come up with a solid draft for a new scene, or make edits to an existing one, that counts as productive in my book. I try to congratulate myself and truly enjoy every writing addition, no matter how small—it can be hard to not let the neurodivergency cause discouragement otherwise.
Q: What is an accomplishment you are very proud of?
A: I currently have three short stories published! I feel immensely proud whenever I manage to get a submission accepted. It may have taken me an extremely long time to perfect each one, but it is incredibly worth the effort to be recognized.
Q: What kind of support has made the biggest difference for you?
A: Friends and fans who want to see more of my work, especially if what I’ve written has touched their heart. Knowing I’ve moved my audience inspires me to keep going, despite the mental roadblocks being neurodivergent creates.
Q: What advice would you give another neurodivergent writer who's just starting out?
A: Just write! Write absolutely any idea you have, even if you don’t end up expanding upon it. You’re still creating, you’re still flexing your creative muscles. And who knows? Maybe you’ll stumble upon it later and want to turn it into something—if nothing else, it’ll be enlightening to look back on your previous work one day and see how far you’ve come!
Q: What else would you like me to know about you that I didn’t ask?
A: Despite my complaints about the writing blocks happening as a result of being neurodivergent, I think being an ND writer is a thing of beauty. I believe that being ND gives us a new way to appreciate the world and express our creativity, and sometimes things like ADHD even increase our inspiration and passion. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Q: Where can people find you?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pearlie_tea/
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/julespearlt
If you are a neurodivergent writer, we are interested in interviewing you! Contact Theresa.Green [at] writersworkout.net for more information. Want to read more about the unique challenges facing neurodivergent writers? Check out our Craft & Chaos page.
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