“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere.” –Anne Lamott

No piece of writing is perfect when first written—that’s why they call it a first draft and why editing exists. Pat Thomson offers a bit of comfort in her piece this week in that all academic writers (or any writer for that matter) face the same struggles. She focuses on being ‘stuck’ with a writing piece and how to move thru it. Today, just focus on getting started and let the rest fall into place. The rest will either fall into place or, if nothing else, give you direction for where to go on the page next time you sit to write. Either way, just start and know that you can (and will) edit later.

Happy writing!

Link Round-Up: On Academic Writing
This is actually a blog post quite similar to this one I bring to you every week. It has various links for topics on getting into the habit of writing, getting started, improving your academic writing, and more.

on getting out of a stuck place
The most useful part of this article, for me, comes at the end in paragraphs 11-14. There may be no magic solution, as Pat Thomson says, for becoming unstuck. However, knowing that you are not alone, that all academic writers become stuck at some point, is itself a bit comforting.

Writing an online, open textbook: is it worth it?
Is creating an open textbook worth your time and effort? This is a detailed overview of one author’s experience creating an online open textbook and his opinion on whether it was worth it.

How To Write More: Attaining Writing ‘Flow’ by Watching Slow TV
Now this is an interesting concept. How often do you find yourself forming sentences or even paragraphs in your head when you’re out for a walk or run? If this happens to you frequently, you’ll probably find this article as intriguing as I did.

Article Throwback

20 things you need to know before you self-publish | January 9, 2012
Considering self-publishing? If so, this article is for you. The tips are from both publishing professionals and university professors.

Finishing your PhD thesis: 15 top tips from those in the know | August 27, 2014
Is the end in sight for completing your thesis? Read this piece to find fifteen great tips on finishing your thesis given by fifteen different people.

My Ten Steps for Writing a Book | February 24, 2014
I’m a visual learner, so the visual of Kristen Ghodsee’s flow chart immediately caught my eye. Below her flow chart, Ghodsee also expands on each point that I think you’ll find useful.

Six Things I Learned While Writing My First Book | March 23, 2015
Thorin Klosowski gives excellent advice for first-time authors.

Unbundling is Over-rated: On the value of contributing to an edited book | March 5, 2015
Terry Clague discusses the value of contributing to an edited book. Do you agree with his arguments?