“Scripturient.” What a great word that I’ve only now just discovered! According to Merriam-Webster it means, “having a strong urge to write.” Do you ever have a strong urge that you have to sit and write? I get these urges from time to time. It can be a glorious thing (if you don’t get in the way of yourself and your writing). For me, as soon as I start thinking too much or try to form the perfect sentence, the words stop flowing so easily. Embrace those urges to write and just put everything on to the page that you can. Editing is for making sense of it all!
The most useful textbook & academic writing posts of the week: August 14, 2015
This week is another one jam-packed with excellent articles. From academics lonely at work, to being a good reviewer, to…
The most useful textbook & academic writing posts of the week: July 24, 2015
Wouldn’t it be nice if in fact inspiration would strike at just the very moment we need it? Sometimes I…
The most useful textbook & academic writing posts of the week: July 17, 2015
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.
Walking in truth: On mentors, teachers and your own way
Earlier this month, I taught the last class of a 3-month online course for women professors called The Feminar. Over Skype, I asked each woman in the class to talk about the greatest lesson the class had to teach. Each one replied with a different version of the same answer: “I learned to walk my own way.”
How to move through writing blocks
A big thank you to Boot Camp Leader Ashley Sanders and everyone who participated in TAA’s Dissertators United Chapter Boot Camps! The last boot camp was held May 17. All of the resources from these boot camps are now online and open to all TAA members. Resources include recordings of mini-webinars, articles, templates, and links to resources such as books, apps, and more.