An episode that busts the myth of 'perfect' creative processes!

In Episode 140 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Dr Angela Kingdon speaks with Sol Smith, author of The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery. If you’ve spent time on TikTok, YouTube, or inside the NeuroSpicy community, you’ve probably felt the impact of Sol’s voice—direct, affirming, and deeply validating. He joins the show to help us rethink our relationship with writing routines, explore the realities of autistic creative rhythms, and bust the myth of 'perfect' creative processes.

Plus, we announce our amazing winners from our fifth writing contest!Here are our top two entries.

OUR WINNER 🥇'Kidnapped’ - Based on a true storyBy Laura Pearson

THE RUNNER UP 🥈'And Then I Realized…’By Genya VasilovCongrats to our winners! You can see their stories here.

Here’s what we cover in today’s episode:

* We read our winners from the fifth writing prompt for Neurodivergent Narratives and announce our 1st and 2nd prize winners.

* Sol shares his path to writing The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery, and offers his insight on the challenges of the publishing process, and the role of writing in processing his lived experience.

* How does Sol overcome those moments when writing doesn’t come easily, you're in a rut, or stuck in autistic inertia?

* Why connecting creative cycles with SPINs and internal logic can help build up creative drive for writers.

* vSol shares his advice for neurodivergent writers who feel like they’re constantly behind or not doing it 'right'.

* Sol and Angela discuss the battle for perfectionism, self-acceptance, the therapeutic nature of creative expression as neurodivergent individuals, and how haiku can express profound emotion in just a few words.

Sol Smith is the author of The Autistic’s Guide to Self-Discovery and the manager of the Neurospicy Community, which is the largest support network for autistics and ADHDers in the world. A certified autism specialist who is autistic, dyslexic, and living with ADHD. He spent more than two decades as a college professor before shifting his professional focus to coaching other autistic and ADHD people to gain autonomy in their lives. Sol’s speaking skills have earned him a following of hundreds of thousands on TikTok and led to educational seminars about neurodiversity with corporations around the world. He lives in Southern California with his wife and four children, and you can find him online at www.ProfessorSol.com

Here are his social media links:

TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@bettersol

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprofessorsol

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/solsmith

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@professor_sol

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sol-smith-mfa-eds-ms-cas-7955364

Neurodivergent Narratives Presents: ‘Your Autistic Birthright’ Contest

I’d write an intro,but counting syllables isharder than it looks.

PROMPT: Write a haiku inspired by your Autistic Birthright. Interpret the theme in any way that resonates with you—literally or metaphorically!

⚠️Your poetry may not be any longer than 500 words.

A haiku is a traditional Japanese poetic form made up of three lines with a specific syllable pattern:

* Line 1: 5 syllables

* Line 2: 7 syllables

* Line 3: 5 syllables

Haiku Basics:

* Total of 17 syllables

* Traditionally inspired by nature or personal insight

* Often includes a seasonal reference or a moment of emotional clarity

* In modern usage, especially in neurodivergent communities, haiku can explore identity, sensory experience, stimming, or personal truth, freeing the form from rigid tradition.

How to Write One:

* Choose a theme or moment — something that feels honest or vivid.

* Write what you notice or feel — don’t worry about rules at first.

* Count syllables for each line: 5, 7, 5.

* Trim or reshape the lines until they fit the form.

Here’s an example process:

Theme: Nail biting as a form of self-regulation and sensory input that isn’t a choice, even when painful or judged.Initial idea: I bite my nails. It hurts, I hate it—but fifty years of shame didn’t fix me. This is what regulation looks like.Angela’s haiku:

I still bite my nails.

My body calls, I answer.

Shame won’t heal this skin.

This isn’t therapy.This is voice reclamation.

Submit entry.Let Your Voice Be Heard.

💌 Good luck, writers. We’re saving you a seat.

THE ESSENTIALS:🖊️ Open to: Everyone🗓️ Deadline: Wednesday, June 18th at 12 PM ET / 5 PM UK💷 Prize: £10 each week📘 Publication: Winning entries go on our Substack and in the annual Neurodivergent Narratives anthologyTHE RULES:No PlagiarismNo Hate SpeechNo Explicit or Graphic ContentSubmit as many times as you wishYou do not need to be present or subscribe to participateEntries after the deadline will not be consideredAll decisions are finalFull Contest Rules are here.

Use the hashtag #haikuyou on social media to share this contest.

Submit Your Entry Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYIwK-nQLv1cUvPbZgylH6G3X83Z11Vb5ZFL1_B06k-Fzzgg/viewform

Related Episodes:

Neurodivergent Narratives (Episode 84)

Introducing the Weekly Writing Contest (Episode 130) - Writing Prompt #26

I'm So Confused (Episode 132) - Writing Prompt #27

Recovering from Burnout (Episode 134) - Writing Prompt #28

Local Color with Tim Clare (Episode 136) - Writing Prompt #29

Writing Memoir with Alethea Shapiro (Episode 138) - Writing Prompt #30

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