That First Page (or Word)

By John Bond

To many people, the blank screen or page is daunting. It blinks at you. Or calls to you. Or it might even laugh at you, daring you to commit to a thought or an idea. It may seem as if you are etching something in stone that can’t be sandblasted out. Not true. Typing or writing that first line can be a challenge, though it need not be.

I’m not a big believer in “Writer’s Block.” It is not to say I don’t have real empathy for people that feel that they’re at a creative impasse or are paralyzed by the process or where their work is going. But I do think that the most common way to address this condition is tried and true. It all just comes down to writing something. Anything.

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How to Set Effective Goals

By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

The other day, I considered setting a goal to help me write more. This made me reflect on my time as a graduate student, when I was especially productive with my writing. Besides completing course assignments and publishing academic articles, I wrote a book (“Running into Happiness”) while working on my dissertation. How did I manage to accomplish all that? Have you ever looked back at a success and wondered how you achieved it? If so, you’re already using a key principle for setting effective goals. Here’s why.

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Relaxed Productivity: A Kinder Way to Work Well

By Alison Miller, PhD, The Academic Writers’ Space

Many academic writers experience writing as pressured and effortful. It can feel like a constant push to stay focused, stay on top of deadlines, and demonstrate that you are moving forward. Over time, this pressure can become a default setting, making it harder to feel connected to the work itself. Relaxed productivity offers a different experience. It is a way of working that supports focus, consistency, and well-being by creating the internal and external conditions that help you stay present with your work. In this approach, you are not working from reactivity or urgency. You are working with clarity, rhythm, and intentional effort.  Clarity means knowing what matters right now. Rhythm comes from creating a steady way to begin and return to your work. Intentional effort means choosing tasks that match your real capacity and focusing on one step at a time. These elements create the conditions for focus, steadiness, and connection.

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How You Can Build Grit

By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

Recently, a member of my writing group complimented me on my dedication to my writing goals. She said, “You’re so good at staying focused on the goals you set for yourself.”

“I think it has a lot to do with grit,” I responded. Let me explain.

Angela Duckworth (2016) defines grit as “passion and perseverance for long-term goals.” Based on her book Grit, here are some key actions to build grit:

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How to Overcome Procrastination

By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

Do you see yourself as a procrastinator? If so, you’re not alone; many people feel the same, myself included.

Recently, I found myself putting off writing an article I needed to complete. Although I enjoy writing, I tend to procrastinate when the topic is unfamiliar and requires effort and energy. I decided it was time to learn more about how to overcome this habit, and I want to share some insights I gained from Tal Ben-Shahar (2023) in one of his lectures on the subject.

According to Ben-Shahar, 80 percent of people perceive themselves as procrastinators. The good news is that the remaining 20 percent can teach us what to do to avoid procrastination.

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Effective Writing Practices to Help You Make Progress

By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD

As a new semester begins, it’s essential to implement effective writing practices that can help you advance your projects. In this article, I share some key practices you should consider:

1. Incorporate Daily Writing, Short Writing Sessions, and Writing Logs

Achieving progress is one of the most satisfying feelings. To experience this, establish habits that lead you toward your goals and track your progress to provide visual evidence of your hard work. As a writer, consider building the following habits: writing daily, keeping your writing sessions short, and maintaining writing logs. These practices will help you stay productive, motivate you to continue working on your projects, and enhance your overall sense of achievement.

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