This is the second of 2 posts about prioritizing your work in progress. In Do you have too many writing projects? I explained why you need to limit the number of things you are working on at any given time and shared a free workbook to help you make those decisions. In this post, I […]
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Do you have too many writing projects?
This post is part of a series on Optimizing Focus. Finding it hard to focus is normal. Self-flagellation does not work to improve your focus. Furthermore it takes time and energy that takes you away from your writing; it is another distraction. I firmly believe that you can approach your work compassionately rather than violently. […]
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In memoriam: Raul Pacheco-Vega
Raul had been conscious of his mortality for a long time. Many years ago he came to terms with his workaholism and took serious steps to change his behaviour for the sake of his health. I know he still looked like someone who worked too hard. But those of us who have known him a […]
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Interest, Novelty, Challenge, Urgency with Christine Weddle
Jo VanEvery Hello, Christine, welcome. It’s really nice to see you. And I thought I would start by just saying that you and I met many, many years ago on this great internet thing in a group. We were both in this group that was called The Creative Haven, which was really about like […]
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Writing is a process of decision making with Emily Doucet
Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Writing is a decision making process with Emily Doucet JoVE Note: I think I first came across Emily Doucet on LinkedIn, when I saw a post in which she shared an exercise she’d created for book writers around organizing your evidence. I started following her and set up a […]
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You need a writing practice
Writing is central to your scholarly work and identity. And yet, you struggle to find time and motivation to do it. I argue that it is more effective to focus on the process of writing as a whole and establish an effective writing practice that enables you to pursue your curiosity, create knowledge, and communicate that knowledge […]
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Of Many Minds: An interview with Lee Skallerup Bessette
Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Of Many Minds: An interview with Lee Skallerup Bessette When I saw that Rebecca Pope-Ruark and Lee Skallerup Bessette had a new book out that focused on the experience of neurodiversity and mental illness as faculty and staff in higher education, I knew I wanted to talk to them. […]
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Focus isn’t just a mind problem
Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Focus isnt just a mind problem The idea of doing your writing work at home sounds lovely, easeful. But the reality is often like wading through molasses. The soft couch and soft cat call you to nap. Your partner’s loud on Zoom. Laundry and dishes are never done. Your […]
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Make Your Manuscript Work: An Interview with Laura Portwood-Stacer
Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Make Your Manuscript Work: An Interview with Laura Portwood-Stacer Jo VanEvery 0:00 It was my great pleasure to talk to Laura Portwood-Stacer recently about her new book: Make Your Manuscript Work. I’ve been subscribed to Laura’s newsletter for years and often recommend her earlier book The Book Proposal Book, […]
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Hyperfocus and intensive writing styles
Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Hyperfocus and intensive writing styles Short writing periods regularly don’t work for everybody. @jovanevery thank god. Every time I see someone tweet that I think why doesn’t it work for me. I write 6 hours straight. Can’t do short. — M.M. (@ProfessMoravec) March 7, 2013 Or Tony’s comment on […]
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End of summer writing panic
As the long summer break nears an end and the beginning of the academic year looms larger on the horizon, you may have a tendency to panic about your writing and research. You wonder whether you’ve done enough over the summer. You fear that you won’t get to it at all once teaching, student advising, […]
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Spotlight On: The Power of 15 Minutes
Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Spotlight On: The Power of 15 Minutes When it comes to writing the primary challenge most scholars face is how to find and protect time for this work. I use 15-minutes as a short hand for any amount of time less than 30 minutes, or so short it feels […]
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