Member Spotlight: Noelle Sterne
TAA member Noelle Sterne is an Independent Academic Editor, Author, Consultant, and Writing and Creativity Coach. She is an industry professional with experience in the English, Education, Nursing, Faculty Development, and Social Sciences writing disciplines.
Her most recent publication is Challenges in Writing Your Dissertation: Coping With the Emotional, Interpersonal, and Spiritual Struggles (Rowman & Littlefield Education, 2015). She published two other books previously: a spiritual self-help book and a children’s book of original dinosaur riddles. She has also published over 400 essays, writing craft articles, short stories, poems in print and online publications and blogs. She contributes regularly to four publications: TAA’s blog, Abstract, Two Drops of Ink, Transformation Coaching, and FromAddict2Advocate.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently (and always) working on academic, writing how-to, spiritual essays; short stories; and (a leap) my first novel.
Share a recent accomplishment.
I recently gave a well-received faculty development seminar on writing at a major regional university: “Helping Your Students Write Better, Easier, and Faster.” Ongoing rewards flow from assisting doctoral candidates to complete their dissertations (finally) and new doctors and professors to complete scholarly articles for publication, with many acceptances.
What is your favorite textbook writing tip or strategy?
Decide on the specific hour you will write and the time for your session (15 minutes counts). Make a promise you can keep. Go to your desk and sit there. If you need to, type nonsense; it will eventually yield to decent ideas and text. Read writing books. Two of my favorites: The Art of War for Writers by James Scott Bell; Fearless Writing by William Kenower.
What is your best TAA experience so far?
I especially enjoy the warm, responsive, appreciative ongoing relationships with Director of Publications and Operations Kim Pawlak and Membership Marketing Manager and Tech Wizard Eric Schmieder. And I always learn from the Abstract blogs and the Academic Author newsletters.
