“Every writer I know seems to agree on the same thing: You need to write, a lot.” This unattributed quote could be attributed to nearly every aspiring author who has received advice from a successful one, but as much as we know that we need to write, a lot, it’s certainly easier said than done, most days.

In this collection of articles from around the web this week we have found some specific advice on how to get stuff done, how to write your first few pages, how to overcome the lure of planning, tips for sticking to a writing routine, writers’ tools for better productivity, and how to harness the power of coauthoring. We’ve also found guidance on writing blog posts, organizing digital files, and creating a memorable virtual book launch. Finally, we close with some industry news on bringing diverse perspectives into scholarly marketing and communications and a forthcoming Plan S Journal Checker Tool.

As you prepare yourself for the week ahead, we hope you find inspiration and guidance in the resources below to put you in a mindset where you can write, a lot. Happy Writing!

How to get stuff done as a writer (or how this INTJ leverages her Te)

In short, figuring out how to get stuff done as a writer is sometimes the single hardest part of the job. We all have personal weaknesses that sucker us into wasting time over and over again. As an INTJ in the Myers-Briggs personality typing system, I’m aware that my type is notorious for getting sucked into “analysis paralysis.

5 Tips for writing your first few pages

Sometimes, starting a brand new project is the hardest part of writing. There are so many different ways a story could go when you’re staring at a blank page! Luckily, even if you’re having trouble, it’s never too late to start. Today, NaNoWriMo writer Kelly is here to share some tips on beginning.

The lure of planning

As I’ve been working on my book manuscript, I’ve been struggling with a persistent tension: I know that I should let problems emerge through writing, but I want to solve those problems in advance through better conceptualization. At the first hint of trouble, my inclination is to stop and rethink. As with most writing challenges, there can be value in both approaches.

3 Tips for sticking to a writing routine

It’s always a challenge to maintain a writing practice, especially when schedules and routines might have flown out the window months ago. We’ve all heard “butt in chair,” meaning that the writing gets done when your butt is in the chair at your desk and the work is in front of you. But in case you need a little more guidance, here are three of my best tips for writers at any stage.

Writers’ tools that help you be more productive

Nowadays, writers have so many tools to choose from it’s difficult to know which ones are the best. Whether one chooses to write with a ballpoint pen or a fountain pen is subjective, and the same thing applies to online writing tools. Nevertheless, I’ve endeavored to provide you with a list of the most reputable technology that has been tried and tested by professional writers. Why not give them a try and let me know what you think?

Joining forces:  Harnessing the power of coauthoring

I always knew coauthoring had benefits – half the workload, and twice the platform to launch from are the obvious bonuses. Sure, you have to split your royalties, but you also share the costs. But I had reservations (how do you allocate who writes what? What if you don’t like each other’s ideas or writing?), so it was relegated to something other authors did.

So you want to blog – writing a blog post

Writing a blog post is not a matter of writing the same way you would a thesis or a journal article. One of the beauties of blogging is that it offers a lot of scope for academic writers who are often restricted in the kinds of writing that they can do. Blogs give us a chance to write more as we want, and the opportunity to develop what we might call a “voice”.

Organizing work/school-related digital files

Like anybody, I, too, get disorganized every so often. This is something that happens to me when I am overwhelmed and I just say “oh, I’ll dump my files in my main Dropbox folder” and then I have to take an entire day to re-organize my life. I use various cloud-based services. My Twitter thread explains with details and screenshots how I work.

6 Tips to create a memorable virtual book launch

Like so many authors publishing books in the time of COVID-19, I’d already scheduled an in-person book launch party when everything social suddenly moved online. I now believe that a creative online launch can be the most memorable way to celebrate and share the excitement of bringing a book into the world. Long after they clicked “end meeting,” a surprisingly large number of guests reached out to say they’d enjoyed being part of it. To help others create their own memorable book launch, here are six tips based on my own recent experience.

Bringing diverse perspectives into scholarly marketing and communications: Calls to action towards global outreach for global change part 1

The question arises: when the direct threat to global health and economies cease, and protesters leave the streets, will publishing communicators keep up this momentum and continue to rapidly utilize research-driven content to illuminate topics like climate change, racial injustice, minority rights, social justice, and sustainable development that require ongoing global attention? While it’s reassuring to know that there are already many programs and tools focused on increasing research discoverability and providing support for scientists to effectively convey the value of their research, there has never been a more important time to move from reacting to acting.

cOAlition S successfully completes tender process to develop the Plan S Journal Checker Tool

The Journal Checker Tool will help researchers who receive funding from cOAlition S organisations to easily identify journals or platforms that enable compliance with Plan S requirements. Based on the researcher’s funder and their institution, the tool will inform them of the available routes to Plan S compliance that the journal of their choice affords. The tool is planned to be available for use by the end of 2020, in time for the implementation of Plan S on 1 January 2021.