It is now mid-November. For those in the Northern Hemisphere this is so far from the beginning of the autumn term that you’ve completely lost the energy from the newness of it but not quite close enough to the end to feel like it is almost over. Are you starting to worry that you aren’t […]
Read More »Developing a Practice
Your academic life is more than a string of articles published, classes taught, and meetings attended. You write because this is how you articulate and develop your ideas. You publish to communicate those ideas to others. Posts in this category help you develop the practices you need to do the work you love well without burning out or compromising your values.
You Need a Writing Practice is a good place to start to investigate the Writing subcategory.
Juggling 101: Elements of a good plan is a good place to start investigating the Planning subcategory.
What if unexpected events are normal?
My friend and colleague Julie Clarenbach posted this on Facebook the other day: Sometimes I have this idea that if we can just get beyond THIS crisis everything will settle down and go back to “normal.” But there’s always something. I think Shit Happening may BE “normal.” She’s right. There will always be something. Maybe […]
Read More »What is writing?
Does “writing every day” incl. grant proposals or mental maps of research trajectories? @tanyagolashboza @professorisin @jovanevery #acwri — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) October 4, 2012 Have you ever thought this or something like it? Have you sat down to “write” and then get frustrated that you didn’t really spend that time writing? Or look back […]
Read More »You are not a procrastinator: Will you look like a fool?
I’ve had more than one client recently worry about their inability to get down to their writing. This is not a minor problem. It can lead you to question your ability to do the work you are doing and to question your own identity. If you aren’t an academic and a writer, who are you? […]
Read More »You are not a procrastinator: Can you do it?
I’ve had more than one client recently worry about their inability to get down to their writing. This is not a minor problem. It can lead you to question your ability to do the work you are doing and to question your own identity. If you aren’t an academic and a writer, who are you? […]
Read More »You are not a procrastinator: What needs your attention?
I’ve had more than one client recently worry about their inability to get down to their writing. This is not a minor problem. It can lead you to question your ability to do the work you are doing and to question your own identity. If you aren’t an academic and a writer, who are you? […]
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Do you over-explain?
Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Do you overexplain? When you say “no” to a request, do you offer an explanation? Do you have your full schedule posted on your office door? Is your electronic Calendar publicly visible with all the details of your meetings? Do you also find it hard to say no? Do […]
Read More »Making Writing Less Scary: links
Here are some other things you might want to read related to this week’s theme
Read More »Making Writing Less Scary: Getting feedback on your writing
You don’t have to write in obscurity waiting to be discovered. Whether you write on a blog or you create multiple documents on your own computer, you can create an audience for your writing. In this post, I offer several options for creating conversation on a blog.
Read More »Making Writing Less Scary: Blogging might help
Developing the habit of writing is probably the best reason for starting a blog. People who blog about their academic work in progress find it very rewarding. You may also discover that there are lots of non-academics who think deeply about similar things. You don’t even have to blog about your research. In this post, I address some of your fears and give you some strategies for keeping the meanies out of the comments.
Read More »Making Writing Less Scary: What to write
Stop worrying about the right way. It is much easier to edit than to write brilliant prose the first time.
This is especially important while you are still developing the habit of writing. But even when that habit is established, writing is a complex activity. The part where you structure your written ideas into an academic article, an academic monograph, a newspaper article, a novel, a report for decision makers, or trade non-fiction book is just that, a part of the process. A lot of writing happens before you get there.
The idea is to get your ideas out of your head and on to paper where you can do things with them. Writing helps you think. In this post, I give you some ideas for how to do that.
Read More »Making writing less scary: Develop a habit
There is no point thinking too much about the publishing part until you have actually written something. Writing is a habit. The more you write the easier it is to write. And the better your writing becomes. Like any habit, you can develop it. In this post, I talk about what developing a writing habit might look like in practical terms.
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