What tricks or strategies do you use to get yourself started and to get the words flowing? For me, on days when I need an extra push of motivation, I retreat to my favorite local coffee shop where there is nothing there to distract me. Words, sentences, and entire pieces are also always sure to form in my head while jogging or biking. When finally I return home the words never quite flow as eloquently onto the page as they did in my mind during that bike ride, but at least I have a starting place and an idea for what I want to write or how I want to write it. In other words, as soon as I un-focus my mind from a writing task and hop on my bike or lace up my running shoes, the words finally come. Does this “trick” work for you? If not, what other tricks and strategies can you share that you use to get you started writing?

As always, happy writing!

Tips for Scholars and Editors
The advice given in this post for increasing productivity is sure to help you increase your writing productivity. What else would you add to this list?

How to survive your PhD – a free course
The Thesis Whisperer, whose excellent content I have shared many times in this weekly round-up of most useful blog posts, has created a free MOOC. It is primarily aimed at research students and supervisors, although anyone can join and is said to also benefit all as “plain language” was incorporated “to make it accessible to anyone who is genuinely interested in helping PhD students survive and thrive.” I highly suggest you consider signing up for this MOOC!

Writing Tips For Staying on Your Game
Of course any piece that relates writing to exercise I’m going to enjoy, but this piece does more than that and actually makes a great deal of sense. Even if you don’t exercise, I think you’ll find these tips beneficial and worth incorporating into your own writing life. Two of my favorite tips: “show up for practice” and [have a] “game plan”.

The Better Angels of Our Writing
Rachel Toor explores the role of a copy editor and how they assist an author be a better version of themselves. Toor also highlights two books in her piece, Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen and The Subversive Copy Editor.

Publish Or Perish: Finding The Best Venue For Your Research
Pages 1-2 give a bit of background and history on the Journal Impact Factor that you surely already know. I suggest skipping to page 3 where you will find the tips that can help you determine the best journal in which to publish. What else would you add to this list of tips?

Make it Count: When Your Word Limit is Not Your Real Problem
I love stumbling upon new blogs (many times thanks to Twitter)! This particular blog post details what to do when your word count isn’t enough, leaving your paper underdeveloped. I encourage you to explore other articles on this blog as well and check back on Mondays for their new “Monday Motivation” series.

Article Throwback

Productivity tips, tricks and hacks for academics (2015 edition) | Date Unknown
Matt Might gives numerous tips and strategies for productivity in this post. You are sure to find tips and strategies to help you with your own productivity.