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My guest for Episode #255 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Terry Bartley. He is a high school journalism, literature, and English teacher and writer of the new collection of short stories, Tyranny of the Fey.
Terry is the host of the podcast “Most Writers are Fans,” about the intersection between writing and fandom. Terry has professionally written for the Coal Valley News and Screenrant. He has won awards for writing and broadcasting from the West Virginia Associated Press, the National Broadcasting Society, and MarCom. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Phoenix and an M.A. in English Education from Western Governor’s University.
With a candid discussion on his life's journey through countless experiences straddling education and literature, Terry charts an inspiring narrative about turning apparent career missteps into stepping stones of growth. We navigate through his career in teaching while pursuing his passion for writing amidst an uncertain freelance career.
Immerse yourself in an absorbing conversation as Terry discusses his life with ADHD, stressing its impact beyond professional barriers permeating quotidian existence. In our challenging exploration of the realm of ADHD, Bartley underscores the importance of acceptance, diagnosis, and therapy as his allies combating the condition. He promotes a holistic, individualized approach to managing ADHD, dispelling the clouds of misconception about mental health. Listen along for the fascinating exposition of how ADHD molded his unique creative expression, setting light on his inspiring journey.
Questions and Topics:
- What's your favorite mistake?
- Feeling out of sync – shaming?
- When did you get diagnosed with ADHD?
- What prompted or led to that diagnosis?
- The impact of treatment?
- Tell us about your book
- Is it a mistake to publish the short stories before the novel? Only time will tell?
- Learning from mistakes and steps from the first release??
- Was it a struggle to finish a book then? Or are short stories easier?
- Tell us more about the podcast — not just book authors…
- What's done is done
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- Video version of the episode
- How to subscribe
- Quotes
- Full transcript
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Automated Transcript (May Contain Mistakes)
Mark Graban:
Well, hi. Welcome back to my favorite mistake. I'm Mark Graban. My guest today is Terry Bartley. He's a high school journalism, literature, and English teacher, and he's the author of a new collection of short stories available now called Tyranny of the Fae.
Mark Graban:
Terry is also the host of the podcast “Most Writers Are Fans” about the intersection between writing and fandom. He's professionally written for publications, including the Coal Valley News and Screen Rant. He's won awards for writing and broadcasting from the West Virginia Associated Press, the National Broadcasting Society, and Marcom. He has a BA in English from the University of Phoenix and an MA in English education from Western Governors University.
Mark Graban:
So, Terry, welcome to the podcast. How are you?
Terry Bartley:
Thanks for having me. I'm great. You know, it's funny you write those. Like, I wrote that myself, right. Like that intro I wrote years ago.
Terry Bartley:
Whenever I started this writing journey, read it out loud to you, it's always like, oh, wow, I've actually done a good bit. It's always a fun surprise. Well, I hope that's a good boost.
Mark Graban:
To get started here as we record this during, I'm sure, a well-deserved Thanksgiving break from teaching, right?
Terry Bartley:
Yeah. Teaching is one of the things that's overwhelming. So whenever you have the week off, it honestly doesn't even feel like enough of a break is just time to think for yourself for like the first time for a while, a little free time.
Mark Graban:
And thank you for spending some of that with us and with me here on the podcast. So I'm curious about where the story is going to come from and the different dimensions of your professional life. But Terry, as we ask everybody here, what would you say is your favorite mistake?
Terry Bartley:
Yeah. So it's interesting to think about the idea of, like, my favorite mistake because I feel like whenever I think about the term mistake, that doesn't mean something that I had no control over, that I did by accident. You know what I'm saying? Like, a mistake is something that you sort of did. You look back on, you're like, gee, I wish I hadn't have done that.
Terry Bartley:
So we talked a lot about ADHD because I was diagnosed later in life with ADHD, and I don't regret that I didn't get diagnosed earlier, that kind of thing, because I didn't know I had to. You know what I mean? Like, that's not a mistake for me. What I think is a mistake, and it stems from not getting diagnosed earlier, is the fact that I jumped around.
Mark Graban:
Job to job to job to job.
Terry Bartley:
Like I didn't have any consistent career for a long time because I kept sort of, like, chasing the shiny thing, which I didn't realize was ADHD, right?
Mark Graban:
Yeah.
Terry Bartley:
And that's the thing that I look back on and, like, I'm so grateful that I've had so many experiences and such a wide breadth of experiences. I think that makes me a stronger writer. I think that I understand a lot of different specific things about the world that I wouldn't have otherwise, but, gee, I wish I would have found a career that I could have stuck with for more than three years at a time.
Mark Graban:
So how long have you stuck with teaching now? I'd like to go back. I mean, maybe tell us about some of those different jobs or careers. But you're sticking with teaching and everything you're doing now.
Terry Bartley:
I mean, I don't know that that's true, but so far, so far, so good, because here's the thing about how I got into teaching, which I think is a very ADHD story. So I was working in a nonprofit as a freelancer. So I was, like, working sort of, like, you know, not enough money, but, like, doing it because I loved the work. And I was like, we were, like, doing community building things, like, helping people reinvigorate the economy. I live in southern West Virginia, like coal country, so, like, the idea of getting communities to empower themselves and figure out ways to, like, rebuild their economy themselves.
Terry Bartley:
So it was, like, really fulfilling work. I really loved it, but it paid, like, next to nothing. So I had to do something to supplement the income. So I started substitute teaching because I had a bachelor's in English that I had sort of gotten, again, just kind of because I wanted to, not because, like, it helped me towards any career. I just wanted to be a writer.
Terry Bartley:
And I was like, this seems like the thing to do. So then the superintendent at the time wanted people that were subbing to at least be, like, pursuing certification in teaching. So I was like, all right, well, I could either go get a certification certificate for, like, a year, or I could spend two years getting a master's degree. And then if I eventually start teaching, that I get paid more with a degree. And also I have a master's degree.
Terry Bartley:
I could use that for other jobs. Right? Like, it opens up other doors down the road. So I started pursuing this master's in english education just so that I could sub. That's truly why I did it, just so that I could have extra money while I was working this nonprofit job.
Terry Bartley:
Yeah, nonprofit job ended because that's how they work. The grant ended. There wasn't funding anymore. Whatever, whatever. Tried subbing full time just because it made the most sense at the time to just kind of, like, lean into that.
Terry Bartley:
Then the pandemic happened, and then I, like, wasn't working at all because, you know, there's no school to go to. You can't substitute teach, and subs don't get paid if they are not, they are working. So I got paid nothing for the pandemic, but I was just continuing the degree because it's like, well, I may as well keep doing this thing that I'm doing. Right? By the time the pandemic ended, well, truly, it's not even ended right, but by the time quarantine ended, to some extent, I started subbing again.
Terry Bartley:
I got a long term sub job because there was an older teacher that couldn't come back. She didn't want to come back because there was a pandemic happening. So I got a long term sub job. And towards the, as she came back was whenever my student teaching started. So then I worked as a student teacher just to finish up the degree, and then it was like, well, I guess I should be a teacher now, now that I have a master's degree education.
Terry Bartley:
So, like, I didn't even, like, so to say, like, is teaching the thing I'm thinking with? I truly don't know because I didn't actually choose to become a teacher. I just kind of, like, stumbled into it because it was like, what I was doing.
Mark Graban:
Yeah. And it's something you, you could do. I mean, with your background and I'm sure, alignment with some, some interest. I know teaching is tough. I hope all in all, you're enjoying it.
Terry Bartley:
Yeah. I mean, you know, so it's interesting because it's hard and it's a thing that as a writer, because whenever you're an independent author, you're doing like three jobs at once. Right. Like, I have to promote my writings through social media and interviews like this, things like that. I do book signings, which is also a whole other thing.
Terry Bartley:
But then also I have to actually write, which is like a whole second job to the writing thing. Right. And then teaching is like another full time job, which, if you ask any teachers, like, two full time jobs. Also, it's kind of like I work full four full time jobs. And I often think, like, this would be easier were not a teacher because I could have a job that wasn't quite so demanding that I did on the side.
Terry Bartley:
But then teaching does pay me enough that I don't feel like I'm throwing so much money away at writing because I think I would if I was getting paid a lot less. So. And I live in West Virginia, but other teachers don't get paid a ton. But it's one of the better paying jobs here. So I think that's something that I do like about it is, like, it's a job that is consistent, that I can just keep working, and I know the income I'm gonna get.
Terry Bartley:
Because when you did freelance, I did freelance work for so long. I've done, like, part time freelance stuff. And I know the teachers don't get paid enough, but whenever you get paid the same amount every two weeks, it's like, wow, this is, like, I'm, like, rich now.
Mark Graban:
Consistent. So it sounds like you define yourself, Terry, as a writer who teaches as opposed to a teacher who also writes. That's kind of your. You frame yourself and think of yourself as a writer, and if you could do that full time, you would. But it's tough, I'm sure.
Terry Bartley:
Yeah. And I feel like that's the thing that makes me feel unusual as a teacher, because most teachers, like, it's their passion, right? Like, they. They get into it because, like, they love the idea of, like, helping craft the new generation and, like, being there for the kids and things like that. And, like, I'm fine with that stuff.
Terry Bartley:
Right? Like, I enjoy that part of it, but it's not my passion. Like, my passion is kind of, like, telling stories and creating. And truly my passion is kind of, like, trying to, like, build a better world, which I guess teaching can be, like, a part of. Yeah, but I like the idea of trying to release books that can make people think differently and maybe, like, shape the way that the world is around that.
Mark Graban:
Yeah, well, and then there's something like, there's that opportunity to try to influence or shape or support kids. I don't know how many of them love writing or even say, I say, Mister Bartley, I want to be a writer. I mean, are there, are there many cases where you can have that direct influence?
Terry Bartley:
I've definitely had a few of those. And I will say, I think that just having a thing that's not teaching is interesting. And I like to think inspiring for students because, you know, whenever you live in a place like this where people don't tend to, like, reach outside of and honest, this is. So, this is an aside, but ADHD, right? Sure.
Terry Bartley:
Go ahead. So before I went on a tour this past summer to promote the book, I drove across the country. Before that, I went to a post office, where I mailed out bookmarks to, like, every bookstore in the state, just to kind of, like, promotional bookmarks to get people in the state to, like, support me. Hopefully I mailed them out and the post office worker was asking me, like, what it is. We talked about it and she was like, you know, I really appreciate seeing somebody doing this because most people in this area don't, like, strive for more or, like, want more than what they have and take these kinds of chances.
Terry Bartley:
And I don't think that that's actually a thing that's specific to this area. I think that it's just like, most people don't reach for more. I think that most people, and I don't even think that it's a bad thing. I think that a lot of people are, like, happy and satisfied with, like, normal lives, and I'm just not that, you know, and I don't think so. I don't think that that makes me better.
Terry Bartley:
I just think that it makes me very different. And I think that when you grow up in this environment and there probably are kids that are similar to me in that way, that want things that are different or one what people think of as more. I think that they probably do appreciate seeing somebody that's doing that, you know?
Mark Graban:
Yeah. So, I mean, I appreciate how you point to the mistakes of changing jobs so many times as something that led to, you know, a positive. I appreciate that you can see, you know, what, what that has led to and how that shaped you. But I was wondering for people don't understand, you know, the ADHD mind and the shiny object thing. Like, people think of ADHD as like, well, you know, you have trouble paying attention or, you know, you're fidgety, but there's kind of more to it if you could explain from what you've learned and what you've lived.
Terry Bartley:
Yeah, I mean, the way that I sort of like the first light bulb moment for me, I was part of this organization called the JCS. It's this, like, leadership organization for people up to 40 years old. It was a big, big part of my life for a very long time. I was part of this fellowship committee where we, it was like the twelve, like, top people, like, up and coming people, like to being, you know, nurtured to be upcoming leaders. And we were doing a training with this public speaker person who came in to teach us about public speaking.
Terry Bartley:
And part of the training was she wanted us to, like, write down our milestones in our life, like our big, big milestones. And then she had us partner up with somebody, and then we would, like, share them with each other. And so I shared my list, which was, like, 1215 things, and the other person shared their list, which was, like, two things. Then we went around the room with everybody, and everybody else had, like, two things, and I was like, hold up. This feels unusual that I've had, like, over ten moments that have, like, changed me and defined me as a person, and nobody else has had nearly that many.
Mark Graban:
Interesting. But then there's that. Well, and as I shared with terry before, I'll share a little bit here with the audience. I've done some research or education about ADHD because I received a later in life diagnosis a year and a half ago. And as the World turns, I mean, I should just do a solo episode about this sometime.
Mark Graban:
A psychologist this year in 2023, thinks I was misdiagnosed with ADHD. So. But I went through this kind of education effort and recognizing the certain generalized impulsiveness that seems to come with ADHD that can be described that behavior as executive function, quote, unquote, pardon the finger quotes, and it could be caused by ADHD, it could be caused by other things. But I think there's just that general. It seems like it's often described as a lack of impulse control of, like, you're supposed to be paying attention to something, but your mind goes to something else and you find that hard to control.
Terry Bartley:
Yeah. So I think when it comes to. I think when it comes to the symptoms of ADHD, there's sort of, like, two. Two big buckets that I think of. One bucket is, like.
Terry Bartley:
I feel like it's like, a general lack of direction. And, like, I think. And I never felt this. For the record, whenever I was undiagnosed, I never felt this. I always felt like I was, like, chasing something that was always, like, on the horizon.
Terry Bartley:
I don't know how many jobs I've described as. I felt like my life was leading me to this. Like, I've said that about, like, five or six different jobs, and I'm like. And this feels like the thing I'm meant to do in this world. And I've said that about five or six different jobs, and you can't.
Terry Bartley:
There's not. That doesn't exist. You can't be meant to do five or six different things in this world. But I think that that general lack of direction is just, like. I don't see the actual threads.
Terry Bartley:
You know what I mean? I'm just chasing different things, and everywhere I've gone, I've built different skill sets, and oftentimes the skill sets I've built have helped me in these different professions, but it is almost like secondary or irrelevant. There were career paths for everything that I jumped into, but I would rather jump into some brand new things instead of pursuing that career path. And that's the thing that I think is like, that lack of direction is like, you're not sort of, like, seeing the actual logical way to benefit yourself professionally, which is to say, to stick with a job and get promotions and get paid more and do all those things, like, establish a resume. That makes sense.
Terry Bartley:
Whenever I write my resume right now, it's like, all right, so you did these five separate things that are unrelated fully. Why do you think this qualifies you for this position? Then? I have to justify it. And usually I can because I can talk my way around it, but it's like a stretch.
Terry Bartley:
Like, it doesn't make any logical sense as to why. And I think that's the big overall arching thing that I've seen in my life. Then I think the other symptoms for ADHD are, like, a lot of these little things where you feel like you're not a good person. I don't mean not a nice or not good as in pure person, but you're just not good at being a person. Does that make sense?
Mark Graban:
Right.
Terry Bartley:
You can't pay your bills on time and you can't, like. Like, I got pulled over at a police checkpoint the other day because my inspection sticker on my car was expired literally two years ago and my license plate had expired maybe like three years. Like three months ago.
Mark Graban:
Yeah.
Terry Bartley:
And whenever I explained to the cop, like, why it wasn't, I was like, literally, I never know that the expansion stickers expired until a cop tells me it is. They told me they just don't pay attention to it. It's just not a thing that I think to, like, look for or even, like, keep in mind.
Mark Graban:
Yeah.
Terry Bartley:
And that's the kind of thing that I think is, like, the ongoing challenge with ADHD. And it makes you feel like you're, like, not good enough just to, like, live life, like, not even for your job, but just, like, to live life like you're not doing the things that everyone says you're just supposed to, like, naturally do. Those are the things that are, like, hard for you.
Mark Graban:
Yeah. And, I mean, what's fascinating to me from all of that is how symptoms or things resonate with me. Because, you know, the counselor who had first said, okay, you have ADHD, described it as a mild to medium case. I don't have all of the symptoms or behavioral outputs. I get my bills paid.
Mark Graban:
I mean, auto pay helps a lot. My driver's license is currently one month expired because TSA told me, hey, do you realize this is expired? And in the state of Texas, it's going to take, like, a couple of months to get in for an appointment, which doesn't help either. But what you said, terry, though, paraphrasing it back, is sort of like, feeling out of sync or, like, feeling like, why I'm feeling different. And, you know, one thing I've tried to work through is, like, I would really start shaming myself for not paying attention or the anxiety and everything would kick in and sort of that.
Terry Bartley:
That didn't.
Mark Graban:
That didn't help me pay attention any better. But, I mean, yeah, it different me. I think different causes, but similar. Similar thing going on.
Terry Bartley:
Yeah. And I think the thing about shame is it's a hell of a thing. And I think that you don't realize that's what it is when it's happening, right? I think that you just think that you're not getting something or there's something wrong with you and. Or you feel broken in some way, and.
Terry Bartley:
And I. But I think that you don't realize that that's what it is. You just think that you just can't do it. Like, what is wrong with me that I can't do it? And.
Terry Bartley:
And that's when it gets dangerous. Whenever you start, like, calling yourself an idiot in your head all the time, or you start, like. Like, beating yourself up. Because it's like, why can't I just, like. I mean, I don't know how many times I locked my keys in my car whenever I was in college.
Terry Bartley:
It was just, like, a thing that I did all the time, like. Like, in the ignition, just leave it in the car, lock the doors, leave, and then I come back later, and it's like, oh, there's the keys. I guess I got to deal with that. And I would call my. I would treat myself like I was, like, the biggest idiot in the world because it's like, why can't I just take the keys out of the car?
Terry Bartley:
Like, what. What is this thing that's, like, making me not do this really obvious thing? And. And I think that not knowing, like, that's why the diagnosis is important. Right?
Terry Bartley:
Because, like, the. Like, now that, like, if I do that now, I don't do that as often because my car. My keys don't go in my car. I have a button thing that I have have, which is, like, amazingly ADHD friendly.
Mark Graban:
Yeah.
Terry Bartley:
But, like, now, whenever that kind of thing happens, let's say I forget my keys in my house and I get locked myself out of my house. I don't feel like I'm an idiot. I can look back and say, well, this is a symptom of ADHD. I didn't mean to do that. It's just part of who I am, and it is.
Terry Bartley:
And it is frustrating. I'm going to have to be late for work today, probably. I don't like that, but I'm not. It's not a problem with me. It is just who I am, and I can't feel bad about that, you know?
Mark Graban:
Yeah. Now you know. And Terry, you mentioned you don't regret the delayed diagnosis, but what, what? I mean, how did you end up with that diagnosis? Was there something that prompted it?
Mark Graban:
Discussion with a physician, family member said, hey, Terry, deal with this finally or no.
Terry Bartley:
I feel like this story will be pretty universal to people. Like, post pandemic, which is, I was just watching videos on YouTube and I saw a video about this concept called the Wall of Awful, which is like, this concept where, like, when you don't. Can't do a thing. Like, let's say you want to, like, return email and you don't return it right away and you keep telling yourself other reasons why you shouldn't do it. Like, like, now they're going to think it's weird if I return the call, but I have to.
Terry Bartley:
But, like, and all these, like, other things as why you can't do it, right. And it makes you just not want to do the thing, which you could just do the thing and then it's over and, like, why are you building the fall of awful?
Mark Graban:
Yeah.
Terry Bartley:
And that resonated with me because it was like, there's so many things I've done this with. Then I looked at the YouTube channel and it was called how to ADHD. And so I went to that channel and they had a video called, like, do I have ADHD? Then she, like, listed all the, like, symptoms of it, and it was this moment of, like, just watching everything about me read to me on screen. It was like, wow, this is, like, exactly who I am.
Terry Bartley:
And I've never thought of ADHD in this way. Right. I thought of it as, like, kids bouncing off the walls and not paying attention. I didn't realize that these were the symptoms of ADHD. And it was just like, a mind blowing experience and also, like, a weird, like, affirming experience where it's like, so there's an explanation for why I am the way I am.
Terry Bartley:
So then at that point, I sort of, like, tried to figure out because, like, I had, like, done therapy here and there, but it's never been, like, a consistent part of my life. So I, like, called my insurance and they referred me to a, like, people who do diagnoses, like a clinic that specifically does that. So I did a bunch of, like, tests with them, and they confirmed the diagnosis. They gave me a letter that said, yes, you do have ADHD. And then I started, like, pursuing therapy and things like that.
Terry Bartley:
And so truly, I was essentially self diagnosed, but then I just kind of, like, followed it up with professionals to make sure that it was real.
Mark Graban:
Yeah, I know in my path in early 2022 was similar. I mean, I think, yeah, my mom says I was not an ADHD child. Now, again, this was the late seventies, early eighties. I don't know if it was really observed or known or diagnosed quite the same. But, you know, I didn't have trouble academically.
Mark Graban:
I didn't have trouble behaviorally. But then, you know, as an adult in the working world, I mean, you know, one of my earlier jobs, I ended up going to an eap counselor. In fact, she was very insightful. I won't say what company it was, but she said, look, the problem is the company, not you.
Terry Bartley:
Do you know how many people are.
Mark Graban:
Coming in to talk to me? And, okay, well, we all. We all have something we can work on. But I know she gave me a copy of one of the seminal books on ADHD, and I know I didn't read much of it, and so I thought that was kind of a clue in the past, but I stumbled across in this case, it was an article, not a video. It was about basically having an unusual sense of fairness.
Mark Graban:
And I can put the exact article in there. And I was finding out, like, okay, at work, you know, this isn't just. I mean, it's often described as an ADHD tendency, but, you know, clearly it's not only ADHD that, you know, I would get upset by unfair treatment of someone else or myself. I would have trouble letting it go. I might kind of impulsively, you know, get upset and lash out about it.
Mark Graban:
Like, this was not helpful professionally in some circles. And that article, though, that helped me understand, though, like, that impulsiveness of how I reacted to things. Not that I was wrong in my reaction, but sort of like knowing. Like, I know I shouldn't send that email, but I did anyway. Yeah, but that's kind of what got me into at least potential diagnosis.
Mark Graban:
And you talk about therapy, and there are medications for ADHD. I don't mean to pry. You can say, hey, I don't want to talk about that. But in my research, there are some experts who say, look, the ADHD medications are effective with very little risk of side effect. I'm not trying to push pills on somebody who's not wanting medication, but I'm just curious in terms of treatment is specific.
Mark Graban:
Again, tell me to back off. And you don't have to be specific, but the general question, however you'd like to answer it, is, how have you found treatments help you manage, at least living with ADHD, working with ADHD?
Terry Bartley:
Yes, I'm happy to talk about it. I think it's good to talk about, because people don't talk about it, and then people feel like there's something wrong with it if they have to rely on it. So I think that that's why it's good for us to openly talk about it. So I take a antidepressant. It's the generic form of wellbutrin, which is basically a slow release antidepressant, because the way that executive function is, like, a struggle with ADHD is that your brain doesn't produce enough serotonin.
Terry Bartley:
And therefore, like, the serotonin is what helps you focus. So the antidepressant just sort of, like, produces more serotonin, which then allows my brain to, like, be a little bit more how other people's brains operate. Right. I at first didn't think it did anything. Like, I was taking a small dosage, and I didn't really notice any difference in the way that I, like, thought regularly.
Terry Bartley:
But then I remember it was about two weeks in, I was, like, laying on my bed with my dog in the middle of the day, like, playing with my dog. And I thought to myself, like, I probably should be doing something else. Like, I'm enjoying this right now, but maybe I should, like, work on something else because I have things to do. And then I thought to myself, I've never thought that before. Like, I've never thought, like, hey, priorities exist, and you should maybe do those things.
Terry Bartley:
And that's kind of, like, the thing that I noticed is, like, it allows me to, like, still, like, my. I'm still the same person. It doesn't change who I am, but it allows me to, like, be a little bit more aware of my surroundings. And not just my surroundings, but, like, what's happening in the moment. And, like, being a little bit more present and just conscious of what I'm doing right now and how it affects future me, you know?
Terry Bartley:
Interesting.
Mark Graban:
Yeah. And, like, I probably. I should. It was probably my mistake for not asking in advance of, hey, how specific were you willing to be about these things? Because I wasn't trying to medication shame anybody.
Mark Graban:
I was probably just bending over backwards to awkwardly not try to force you to talk about something. But, I mean, you know, I. My physician had me try Ritalin, which is a different class of medication. It's hard to tell, like, for a while, I think it could have been placebo effect. I don't think they were giving me a placebo, but, like, I feel like it's helping, but I don't know.
Mark Graban:
And it wasn't causing any great problems for me. But, you know, I'm off that medication and the journey continues, you know, because there's no blood test, there's no brain scan that tells you definitively.
Terry Bartley:
And I think that's part of it. And I also think it's something that people also don't talk about that much, which is like, medication for mental health isn't always a silver bullet. Like, a lot of times it's like trial and error, because every brains work a little bit differently. Everybody's lives are a little bit different. Right?
Terry Bartley:
Like. Like something like Ritalin, I think wouldn't work for me because I don't, like, I don't need to focus at specific times, if that makes sense. Like. Like, my focus is spread out throughout the day in a pretty broad way. And I think that, like, I don't need to be that kind of focused that often.
Terry Bartley:
Whereas I think that, like, the slow release thing works for me because it kind of, like, for our slow release, I take it in the mornings, and so I take. I wake it up like four or five. I take it around then. It lasts until around four or five that afternoon, and then I have a bit more of an open, free flowing brain after that, which is, like, after work, which I think is good, because then whenever I need to be creative and write books and things, and my brain is a little bit more loose and a little bit more bouncing around, and I kind of like that. For creativity.
Mark Graban:
Yeah. Yeah. And as much as you can generalize, I mean, you know, some people point to, you know, positive aspects of a brand that's wired a little bit differently with ADHD in terms of connecting dots. And so you might call that creativity or what have you. And so I wanted to ask you about writing and you're writing to everyone first.
Mark Graban:
I talk to more nonfiction authors than fiction writers. Tyranny of the Fae. This is in the realm. This is like, described like fantasy, not Sci-Fi but.
Terry Bartley:
Right, yeah, fantasy.
Mark Graban:
Tell us a little bit about the book first.
Terry Bartley:
Yeah. So I'll take a step back so I can explain where the book came from a little bit. So I started writing a novel about, well, truly like ten or twelve years ago, but whenever I started writing, I wrote a chapter of the book. Then I wrote the second chapter, and then I rewrote the second chapter. And I rewrote the second chapter.
Terry Bartley:
I just wasn't happy with, like, where it was going. And I kept, like, rewriting, rewriting the second chapter to try to figure out the direction I wanted to go. And then I just sort of, like, let it go for a long time. So then about five years ago, whenever the diagnosis happened, I was like, well, I got to figure out something to focus on, something that I can, like, do consistently. So, like, now, whenever I do anything, I try to figure out a way to tie it back to writing.
Terry Bartley:
That way. It's like justified and also, like, furthering the writing career, you know? Yeah. It's like whenever I do a podcast, the podcast is I interview other writers. So then they might sort of, their audience might find me and then find my writing, and it, like, furthers the writing career.
Terry Bartley:
Right. So about five years ago, I started writing the novel and I just wrote, like a chapter a week. Every week is kind of like the structure. And that worked for me because it wasn't writing every day. There wasn't pressure.
Terry Bartley:
It was just like a consistent pattern of, like, writing every week. And that was kind of like how I, how I got to it. So I wrote that novel and then, like I said, pandemic stuff happened. I was editing the novel during quarantine, and I just didn't know what I was doing. I didn't really understand what to do.
Terry Bartley:
So I started writing short stories just to kind of, like, be creative again, to, like, write something original and creative. So I was writing short stories in the world of this novel, like, side characters, things like that, just to kind of, like, do something. And that is eventually what turned into tyranny of the Fae is a number of those stories I pieced together, like, three separate character arcs that follow three separate characters that it kind of, like, establishes the setting a little bit because we get to see the very origins of the world. We get to see, like, how the elven culture, which is like, there's a lot of, like, colonizer allegory stuff here. The elves are essentially the colonizers who have come into this, like, world with various kinds of different indigenous peoples that are all separate allegories for different countries.
Terry Bartley:
I won't get into all that. We can talk about that some other time, whenever the novel actually comes out. But so we follow, like, elven princess, who comes over later. Her story is kind of, like, allowing us to kind of see how those two cultures, like, interact a little bit, and then we, and also, like, how much the elven culture has touched every other culture. Because that's how colonizing works, right?
Terry Bartley:
Like, whatever. Three, the people in South America speak Spanish so broadly is because the Spanish were real busy in South America, right? That's why that's a thing. And, and then we follow another character who sort of, like, travels across the globe. So we get to kind of get a glimpse of these different, these different countries that are allegories for different places.
Terry Bartley:
So it kind of, like, establishes the setting. So whenever the novel does come out, August of next year is the plan for that, then this setting is kind of, like, already people have a sense of what they're stepping into. It's honestly, maybe in hindsight, not the best strategy for our publishing plan because I've released what is essentially a prequel to the novel before the novel comes out. That's not how prequels work. Prequels usually come out after the priest.
Terry Bartley:
The thing comes out so that you can then go back and see the thing. So it's kind of like a supplemental material for a novel that will be out next year. But I think that it's one of those things. You know, I'm a big fan of, like, comic books. I read a lot of, like, DC, marvel stuff.
Terry Bartley:
And whenever they do these big event comics, they always have, like, these, like, little side comics and you don't have to read them. But if you do, usually there's things in the main comic you can, like, piece out, and it's like, oh, this is cool. And I know this thing about this character who's just here for, like, two minutes. That's kind of what this book is. Tyranny of the Fae is kind of like those, those things.
Terry Bartley:
So I think that if people read this book, they will get a lot more out of the novel. But also, like, when the novel comes out, they can always go back and read this book too. It's gonna always exist, right. So this is essentially a, it's establishing the setting for a fantasy world that I'm probably gonna be living in for quite some time. So if you enjoy this interview, if you like me, like, stick around, there's.
Terry Bartley:
There's a lot coming up.
Mark Graban:
Yeah. Well, I think it's interesting that you're reflecting on this high level process, Terry, of kind of posing the question, was it a mistake to publish the short stories first? I mean, I don't know if it's comforting. It seems like only time will tell, right?
Terry Bartley:
Yeah. And the truth is, the reason I did the short stories first, because the novel existed already. I could have always done editing on that and stuff, but I kind of wanted to learn the publishing process before I got to the thing I cared about, you know, like, like this tour driving across the country and promoting a book, which, by the way, the book came out in August. I drove across the country June, July, August, before the book even came out, so I couldn't do signings because the book didn't exist. So, like, it was me visiting bookstores, giving the bookmarks.
Terry Bartley:
They're like, so what do you want us to do? And it's like, I don't know, sell it or something. So, like, it was a lot of, like, learning things. But, like, now I feel like I'm at a place where I'm going to be able to more effectively release the novel whenever it comes out next year because I do have a number of connections with bookstores now, you know, like, I've met a number of bookstore owners that, that I, that I like across the country that I can, like, reach out to and do things with and, you know, like, I know how to. I know how to make a cover.
Terry Bartley:
I know, like, I've worked with COVID artists and stuff, and I know what I like. I know how to format things. Like, all that stuff is a lot easier for me now. And I think that the novel will be able to be more effectively promoted because all this other groundwork has been established, you know?
Mark Graban:
Yeah. So I think I made a small mistake. I think I said, was it a mistake to write the, what? I should have said, was it a mistake to publish the short stories before the novel? But I think it's great the way you're looking at the things you did.
Mark Graban:
Some of it lays groundwork, and if there were any things that were mistakes, it seems like you're learning from that. That's all.
Terry Bartley:
Well, and honestly, I think the biggest ADHD lesson is, like, oftentimes you stumble onto the right answer by accident because I published the short story book first just because made sense to me to not publish the thing I cared about more first. But I think that honestly, it might be a good strategy because whenever the novel comes out, if the novel is successful, because the idea is I'm going to use all these skills to push the novel harder. People that like the novel are going to want to go back and read that backstory stuff, you know, so, like, it's actually going to lead. I think it will ultimately lead to more sales of these books once the novel comes out. Like, I'm.
Terry Bartley:
Because I've heard a lot of indie authors say that once you get six books out, you're pretty set. Like those. They kind of like, sell themselves. They maintain cells.
Mark Graban:
They have a series and follow on sales.
Terry Bartley:
Right, right.
Mark Graban:
Yeah.
Terry Bartley:
So, like, I don't. I won't have the series yet because I want the novel to be a series. The plan is for that to be a longer series, but I'm going to be releasing a number of light novels that are all, like, all these short stories that I wrote that year, that I wrote short stories because I have a ton of them, like, leftover. So I'm going to be releasing like five books over the next year. And, and then the novel will be the 6th book.
Terry Bartley:
So, like, once the novel comes out, I'm gonna have like, that breadth of stuff that people can go back and consume, which I think is actually probably like, what you're supposed to do. Maybe not in this way. Again, this, like, it's maybe like, I didn't plan this. This is kind of an accident, but I think that it's actually gonna be good in the long run, you know?
Mark Graban:
Yeah. Yeah. Well, again, our guest today is Terry Bartley. The book that's available now, the short stories collection, is tyranny of the Fae. His podcast is.
Mark Graban:
Most writers are fans. I encourage everyone who's a writer or a reader, I guess. I mean, is the target audience writers or writers and readers?
Terry Bartley:
So I think it's turned into an indie creative, more broadly speaking, podcast because I use writers very broadly. That was on purpose so that I didn't have to interview authors all the time. So I interview, like, musicians, I interview game designers. I interview, like, journalists. I interview, like, different kinds of writers.
Terry Bartley:
And I think that the main thing that we come back to a lot is like, I think that we do a lot of, like, we share, like, war stories of, like, being in the trenches of indie creative, like, promotion. And we get to kind of like, share tips and tricks we've learned along the way. And I think that probably a lot of people will find if you're doing what we're doing, you'll find a lot of camaraderie in those conversations. So I think that that's what it really is. The target audience is like, people did do what we.
Terry Bartley:
What we do.
Mark Graban:
Well, I will check that out then here over the Thanksgiving weekend. That sounds like it's up my alley, Terry. So I enjoyed talking to you. So I imagine I will enjoy listening to the conversations that you're hosting there. So maybe just one other question to finish up those, going back a little bit.
Mark Graban:
But, you know, I think because I've been in the same situation with nonfiction. There's the writing, and then there's my last couple of books. I've been indie publisher. I think indie publisher is a better term than self publisher because I didn't do it myself. But is it harder for.
Mark Graban:
Harder for you to put a bow on the writing and the editing and the tendency to want to tweak, edit, refine forever, versus. Is finishing the writing more difficult, or is the publishing and finishing the publication and marketing work more difficult?
Terry Bartley:
It's funny to think about. I mean, I think that most people, like most authors, would say that the promotion is more difficult because I think it doesn't come as naturally to most authors. I think a lot of authors are pretty introverted by nature, and showing their face in videos is challenging for a lot of people. That has never been my problem. I did theater in high school.
Terry Bartley:
I did radio, you know, in college. Like. Like, I'm sorry. I sort of thrive in this sort of, like, media environment, so. So, like, I enjoy the promotion side of it, and I kind of think of it as, like, two separate things.
Terry Bartley:
And I think the publishing process, like, the idea of, like, finishing a book and editing it, like, I don't get too caught up in the editing, honestly. Editing is a thing I have to, like, make myself do. I was the kind of kid in high school that would, like, write a paper, then turn it in right away. Like, I don't want to. I don't want to do editing because I already did it.
Terry Bartley:
I don't need to go back and read it more. I've already wrote the thing. I don't need to write it more. So I kind of have to make myself edit. So, like, the editing that I do do is kind of, like, things, like, editors suggest, and I have to, like, hire editors to do that because I won't do it if they don't.
Terry Bartley:
You know, like, if they don't tell me where to make the edits, I probably just won't do it. So editing is, like, a thing that I have to, like, forced myself to do. So the idea of, like, saying it's done and I don't need to go back and tweak it because it's already done. You know what I mean? Like, once it's done, it's done.
Terry Bartley:
And, like, the main thing now that I'm doing, because of the fact that I have all these, like, short story books that are coming out before the novel, is, like, maintaining continuity, like, making sure that everything matches up to the extent that makes the most sense and then nothing contradicts itself too much. That's, like, the hardest thing that I'm doing right now is, like, that's the challenge of having five books that comes out before your novel that's in the same world is, like, you got to make sure that it doesn't like that they all match up for your debut novel, that it doesn't have contradictions to the other weird things you released into the world for no reason. That's really the most challenging thing. But, no, I think that, I think of the writing process as more fulfillment for my soul, if that makes sense. Like, creating is, like, a thing that I think I have to do as a creative person.
Terry Bartley:
And doing, and doing, like, developing these stories, creating these worlds, like, telling these characters stories, kind of, like, lets me be the person that I want to be in the world, you know? And then the promotion is just kind of, like, I don't even think of it as, like, promoting the book, if that makes sense. I think of it as, like, promoting myself, promoting, like, like, creating a brand. And I've kind of been doing that my whole life in different ways because, like, I've had podcasts, I've had websites. I wrote, like, reviews and things.
Terry Bartley:
I've been doing interviews and stuff for a long, long time with journalism, so. So, like, like, I sort of just think of it as, like, I'm doing this thing that I've already developed a skill to do, but it's just, like, this fun thing that I'm doing on the side, so. And it's work. Like, I know it's work. Like, like, it's definitely work, but it's work that I enjoy, so.
Terry Bartley:
And I think that's what promotion is supposed to be.
Mark Graban:
Yeah.
Terry Bartley:
If you do promotion that you don't enjoy, then, like, don't do it because you won't do it. Like, you're not going to follow it through if you make a torture for yourself.
Mark Graban:
Yeah.
Terry Bartley:
So, like, I think if you can figure out things that you enjoy to do, to promote your stuff, like do that and just lean into it. So I don't think that either of them, that's a meandering answer, but I don't think that either of them are, like, harder for me. And I don't think there's any that I like better. I just think that there are two different skills that I'm flexing in different ways, if that makes sense.
Mark Graban:
Yeah. Well, that's great. And thank you for sharing all of that. And thank you for answering that as Terry as opposed to trying to speak on behalf of all ADHD people.
Terry Bartley:
And honestly, I think he probably will resonate with a lot of ADHD people because of that. You know what I mean?
Mark Graban:
No, I think it will. What's done is done. I think, you know, this, this episode is done, but I've really enjoyed it. Thank you, Terry, for sharing all that you have about your work and different jobs and ADHD and all of those reflections. I really do appreciate you sharing so openly about that.
Mark Graban:
And I know that's going to help others as well.
Terry Bartley:
Yeah, I hope so. I mean, you know, I think that it's, I feel like you could be the person that, like, allows the stigma to exist and like, like want to keep it a secret and like, hide it. But I think the truth is, like, I am who I am because I have ADHD and I don't think that I should be ashamed of that.
Mark Graban:
Yeah.
Terry Bartley:
And I think that is good to embrace it and allow yourself to like, like, let it be part of your identity in a good way, you know, and also like, acknowledge your limitations. Like, there's no problem with that. You know, I think it's good to acknowledge where you have struggles.
Mark Graban:
Yeah. Well, again, thank you for sharing all of that. We've been joined today. Terry Bartley. The podcast is, most writers are fans of the book, the first book of the series, tyranny of the Fae and the novel.
Mark Graban:
The plan is later, 2024. I'll put links in the show notes to all of that. Terry, again, thank you. Thank you so much.
Terry Bartley:
Yeah, thanks for having. Yeah.
Episode Summary and More
The Multifaceted Life of a Writer and Educator: Exploring the World of Terry Bartley
The Journey of Terry Bartley: Teacher, Writer, and Creator
Terry Bartley’s professional trajectory is far from linear. As a high school journalism, literature, and English teacher, he stands at the intersection of education and creative writing. This duality is further compounded by his identity as an author, having recently published a collection of short stories titled Tyranny of the Fae. Bartley's unique career path exemplifies the rich tapestry woven from the threads of diverse experiences.
Beyond composing literature, Bartley hosts the podcast “Most Writers Are Fans,” delving into the nexus between writing and fandom. His varied career includes writing for publications such as Coal Valley News and Screen Rant, and he has been recognized with accolades for his writing and broadcasting expertise. These laurels come from prestigious organizations like the West Virginia Associated Press, the National Broadcasting Society, and Marcom.
Education has always been central to Terry Bartley's story. With a BA in English from the University of Phoenix and an MA in English Education from Western Governors University, his academic experiences underpin his multifaceted career.
Understanding the Creative Process: ADHD and Occupational Versatility
Terry Bartley's life sheds light on the often misunderstood nature of ADHD. Diagnosed later in life, he reflects on his pattern of job-hopping, attributing it to being drawn toward the lure of new opportunities—a hallmark symptom of ADHD. However, the variety of roles Bartley embraced enriched his writing, providing a well of experiences to draw from and enhancing his perspective on various facets of life.
The narrative of Bartley’s life underscores the positive aspects of what many would view as a career misstep—the constant pursuit of different roles. This so-called “mistake” has, paradoxically, been a source of strength, allowing him to cultivate insights into broader worldviews that might have remained unexplored otherwise.
Finding Stability in Teaching amid a Freelance Writing Career
The conversation about Bartley's entry into the realm of teaching is candid and serendipitous. He attributes his role as a substitute teacher to the financial practicality given his freelance earnings from community-based nonprofit work. His journey into teaching was a progressive one, marked by a transition that started with substitute teaching to embarking on a master’s degree to meet qualification demands, and eventually leading to a full-time teaching position due to pandemic-induced shifts in the educational landscape.
The stability teaching provides is invaluable for Bartley’s writing pursuits, compensating for the unpredictability of income in the freelancing and independent author fields. Despite the demanding schedule that teaching commands, it afforded Bartley the predictability and financial security to sustain his passion for writing.
The Dual Identity: A Writer Who Teaches
Discussing his identity, Terry Bartley emphasizes his primary self-conception as a writer who happens to teach, not as a teacher who writes. This distinction is crucial for understanding his true calling and aspirations. He sees teaching as an essential, albeit contingent, element of his current lifestyle, which, in turn, enables his primary passion for storytelling and his ambition to effect change through his literary work.
Bartley's stance as an educator is nuanced. His involvement in teaching is more of a path that unfolded rather than a destination he consciously sought out. It's an opportunity to influence young minds while simultaneously supporting his writing. This perspective is heartening, as it showcases his commitment to the betterment of future generations, albeit acknowledging that his true passion lies within the bounds of authorship.
In discussing his role as an educator, Bartley touches upon the idea that one's side interests, especially in his case, being a published author, can indeed be a source of inspiration for students. It can show them an example of someone striving for more and chasing dreams—something quite valuable in areas where aspirations can sometimes be limited by circumstance or a narrower outlook on life’s possibilities.
Embracing the Challenge: Living with ADHD
Terry Bartley’s experience with ADHD reveals a common narrative shared by many who have been diagnosed in adulthood. The symptoms he faces, such as missed bill payments, expired documents, and well-intentioned but often forgetful actions, aren't confined to his professional life; they permeate his daily existence. These issues allude to the broader societal misunderstanding of ADHD, often simplifying it as a disorder solely of hyperactivity and inattention.
Bartley’s journey highlights the ongoing challenge of navigating life with this neurodevelopmental condition. It's not just about struggling in a job; it’s about the more profound impacts on a person's self-esteem and the internal dialogue that can result from ADHD-related oversights. This often induces feelings of inadequacy—a sensation of being inept at the elementary tasks of living, not merely working.
The Importance of Diagnosis and Therapy in Managing ADHD
The pivotal moment in Terry Bartley’s story came with his diagnosis of ADHD, a shift from self-blame to understanding and acceptance. The diagnosis provided a framework to interpret behaviors that once seemed baffling or frustrating. This acknowledgment of ADHD's role in past patterns permitted a transformation in self-perception that was less about self-critique and more about managing reality.
Bartley advocates openly discussing treatments for ADHD, including medication, to combat stigma and promote understanding. His willingness to share his experience with antidepressants demonstrates the potential of medication to aid in everyday functioning, underscoring that treatment for ADHD is highly individualized and can be part of a holistic approach to managing the condition.
The Role of Medication in the ADHD Experience
Discussions around medication for ADHD can be fraught with misconceptions and hesitations. For Bartley, the decision to take medication was pivotal for improving his quality of life. His medication allows him to maintain his personality while gaining a heightened awareness, aiding focus, and elevating his ability to prioritize—limitations that ADHD had previously placed on his cognitive processes.
Bartley’s narrative illustrates that finding the right medication or treatment can be a process of trial and error; what is effective for one individual's ADHD may not be for another’s. He sheds light on the reality that medication for mental health is not a “one-size-fits-all” solution but often an ongoing exploration and adjustment to find what works best.
Creativity and ADHD: Drawing Strength from Unique Wiring
Amidst the challenges, there lie unique strengths inherent to the atypical wiring of the ADHD brain. Bartley, for instance, finds that the same traits that sometimes impede his ability to focus also aid his creativity. The ability to draw connections between disparate ideas and the natural tendency to think outside the box are characteristics often attributed to individuals with ADHD and are particularly beneficial in the world of creative writing.
In this respect, Bartley's work on Tyranny of the Fae and his involvement in various creative outlets, may not just be in spite of his ADHD, but perhaps because of it. His ability to harness and channel his distinctive cognitive style into writing resonates with many who see their ADHD not solely as a deficit but as a different kind of intellectual resource. It’s this reframing of ADHD as a facet of his identity that allows Bartley to thrive both as a writer and an educator, portending a meaningful message of hope and possibility for those navigating similar paths.
Continuous Creativity: A Window into Terry Bartley’s Writing Process
Terry Bartley’s methodical yet adaptive approach to writing his novel and then Tyranny of the Fae offers a window into the mind of a creative individual with ADHD. His strategy to write a chapter a week provided a cadence that accommodated his need for structure without overwhelming pressure. This exemplifies how establishing a routine can be a powerful tool for managing ADHD, particularly in the realm of long-term projects.
Bartley's narrative emphasizes the significance of consistency in the creative process. Even when faced with the temptation to continually rewrite and perfect, he realized the value of progressing forward, which eventually led to the completion of his mixed-genre book. It’s important for creatives, especially those with ADHD, to allow themselves to move past the quest for perfection and embrace productive imperfections that lead to completion.
Leveraging ADHD Traits: The Art of Publishing and Promoting
The advent of indie publishing has presented authors like Bartley the flexibility to navigate the publishing world on their terms. Through his experience with publishing Tyranny of the Fae before his novel, he underscores a valuable lesson—learning by doing can be more effective than sticking to conventional paths. While it might have been unintentional, releasing the short stories collection first allowed Terry to familiarize himself with the intricacies of the publishing process.
Bartley’s proactive approach to learning and promotion, from driving across the country to handing out bookmarks, exhibits the unique strengths of individuals with ADHD. Their impulsivity can sometimes lead to innovative marketing strategies that might seem unconventional but offer valuable learning experiences. His engagement with bookstore owners and learning about cover design and formatting is indicative of the importance of a hands-on and interactive approach to publishing, which often resonates well with those with ADHD who thrive on engaging and dynamic tasks.
Expanding and Connecting Creative Worlds
Bartley’s decision to produce supplemental material for his upcoming novel demonstrates an inventive approach to world-building. By releasing short stories that delve into character backstories and expand the fictional universe, he creates a rich and textured setting that is primed to enrich readers' experiences when the main novel rolls out. The concept of using supplemental materials as a storytelling tool is not new in the creative world; it is commonly utilized in franchises like comic books, as Bartley references.
This approach not only sets the stage for the novel but also establishes a continuity that readers can follow, effectively creating a multi-faceted realm before the novel's release. By interviewing various creatives on his podcast, Bartley amplifies this interconnectedness across different disciplines, augmenting his own and his audience's understanding of storytelling in various forms.
The Future of Terry Bartley’s Creative Universe
Looking ahead, Bartley reveals plans to release a number of “light novels” along with his major work, constructing a broader narrative canvas for his audience to explore. This strategy could act as a magnet that draws readers into Bartley's world, offering a depth of content that showcases his creative range and simultaneously entices new readers to discover his work.
The forward momentum Bartley embraces can serve as a blueprint for creatives with ADHD, or anyone for that matter, as he embodies the message that the process is as meaningful as the product. Creativity, for Terry Bartley, is a fulfilling pursuit that echoes his identity, and one in which he strives to maintain and celebrate his unique perspective, using his ADHD not as a hindrance but as a springboard for continuous learning, growth, and self-expression.
Embracing Identity: ADHD as a Catalyst for Creativity
In a landscape where mental health and creativity intersect, Bartley’s openness about his ADHD is a beacon for discussion and destigmatization. He sees his ADHD not as an obstacle, but as an integral part of his identity that has shaped his unique process as an artist. By embracing his neurological diversity, Bartley personifies the idea that what some may consider a limitation can act as an impetus for distinctive creative expression.
Acknowledging and accepting one's own limitations is a theme that Bartley stresses as crucial for personal growth. This reflective approach allows creatives to better understand their working style and adapt accordingly. For Bartley, his ADHD traits have become a source of strength and have allowed him to develop a flexible approach to his artistic endeavors.
Continuous Evolution: Terry Bartley’s Role in Redefining the Writer's Image
In a culture that increasingly values authenticity, Terry Bartley represents a new wave of writers who are redefining what it means to be a creative professional. His willingness to integrate personal experiences, including living with ADHD, into his work and public persona helps to break down stigmas and fosters a more inclusive environment for writers.
Bartley advocates for a narrative that moves away from hiding one's true self for fear of judgment. Instead, he highlights the importance of transparency and self-acceptance. By doing so, he leads by example and encourages others to see their unique qualities not as hindrances but as artistic assets. It’s not just about managing ADHD; it's about transforming it into a tool for creative success and credibility.
Nurturing Community: The Impact of Sharing Experiences
Terry Bartley’s candid discussions on his podcast serve a dual purpose: providing authentic content that resonates with listeners and fostering a supportive community. By discussing his own journey and showcasing how he weaves his ADHD into his writing and promotional work, he opens up a dialogue about neurodiversity in the creative field.
Through sharing his experiences, Bartley creates a platform where others can learn, relate, and find inspiration. His message of embracing one's full identity, limitations included, offers solace and solidarity to those who may struggle with similar issues. Bartley's perspective is a reminder that individual differences can be embraced and harnessed to create something truly exceptional.
Reflecting on Creativity and Growth
As Terry Bartley looks to the future with plans to expand his creative universe, his story is an ongoing testament to the beauty of creative growth. He underscores the significance of being in tune with oneself and using personal traits—regardless of how society views them—to forge a unique path in the arts. Bartley's journey encapsulates more than the sum of his works; it is a chronicle of personal development, learning, and advocacy for a more inclusive and understanding approach to creative practices.
Bartley continues to serve as an exemplar for creatives with ADHD, demonstrating the positive impact of an individualized path. He encourages others to not just cope with or manage their ADHD but to lean into it, exploring and exploiting the often-overlooked benefits it can bring to artistic endeavors. Terry Bartley’s narrative embraces identity, challenges stigmas, and celebrates the continuous journey of creativity.