The Distracted Writer | Alexa T. Dodd | Substack

The Distracted Writer

Mom of three boys sharing original fiction and stories about the writing life, not getting published (yet), and the distractions that make life lovely.

By Alexa T. Dodd

· Launched 3 years ago

creative writing

It Was Not Good for Adam to Lack Narrative Tension

Some advice on writing and life

May 25•Alexa T. Dodd

7

3

Is Vulnerability a Virtue?

On what we compliment when we compliment vulnerability in art

Nov 7, 2025•Alexa T. Dodd

2

2

3

The Shame of Wanting

Some thoughts on publishing and dreams not coming true

Jun 2, 2025•Alexa T. Dodd

14

10

2

Publishing

Bad Mom, Bad Writer

On external validation in motherhood and writing

Apr 28•Alexa T. Dodd

9

6

1

Why Do I Keep Writing About Mothers Who Abandon Their Children?

On Obsessions, Healing, and Story Craft (with a writing exercise!)

Apr 7•Alexa T. Dodd

6

2

fiction

On Losing Your 36-inch First Birthday Balloon on a Windy Day:

A Cento from Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees

Feb 16•Alexa T. Dodd

3

January Leaves

A Poem

Jan 19•Alexa T. Dodd

7

2

2

Newman the New Year's Bunny

A Children's Story (Featuring new hand drawn images by yours truly)

Dec 31, 2025•Alexa T. Dodd

5

4

1

parenting

It Was Not Good for Adam to Lack Narrative Tension

Some advice on writing and life

May 25•Alexa T. Dodd

7

3

Bad Mom, Bad Writer

On external validation in motherhood and writing

Apr 28•Alexa T. Dodd

9

6

1

Why Do I Keep Writing About Mothers Who Abandon Their Children?

On Obsessions, Healing, and Story Craft (with a writing exercise!)

Apr 7•Alexa T. Dodd

6

2

Marriage

This is Not an Essay About Body Image

But it is about bodies and expectations

Mar 9•Alexa T. Dodd

5

2

1

To All the Children I Will Never Have

On Contradictory Feelings and Family Planning

Feb 2•Alexa T. Dodd

11

4

3