Creating balance through writing and nature

As a writing coach who works with academics, one of the stumbling blocks my clients come up against at a certain point in their career is what I call “path block.” This usually happens, ironically, after a big success: finishing the dissertation, getting a new job, or having a book published.

I understand this block and I have experienced it myself. Nature even gave me a literal experience of this block one day many years ago when I was walking in the woods behind my house and the briars and brambles around me stopped me in my tracks. I thought to myself, “It would be so much easier if I had a path.” I looked down and there on the ground was a hawk feather. I picked it up and realized I must make my own path.

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Poll: Do you write your first drafts free hand or with a word-processing program?

While there are many electronic ways to get your thoughts down on paper, including voice-to-text options, does that in any way hamper your creative process? I find that when I am sitting down to write the first draft, I prefer to use paper and a pen. It allows me to be more free with my thoughts than when I use a word-processing program because I am not distracted by auto-correct or trying to get words in the correct format.

Poll: Do you write your first drafts free hand or with a word-processing program? Read More

12 Week program inspires writing, research, teaching of women educators

TAA member Cassie Premo Steele contacted us today to tell us about a great new program for women academics she is offering called “The Feminar”. This 12-week program will inspire the writing, research and teaching of women educators and allow them to connect with women academics worldwide.

The program, which runs March 23-June 12, 2015, includes:

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Poll: Have you made any writing-related resolutions for 2015?

Making writing-related New Year’s resolutions can be a great way to kickstart your writing in the new year. But just making a resolution isn’t enough. You also need a plan and support to keep you on track. If your resolution is to finish your textbook or complete your dissertation, you will need to break that project up into manageable steps and create deadlines that will keep you on track. You might also want to join a writing group to provide feedback and support along the way. If your resolution is to write every day, you will need to decide what time of day works best for you, create a writing space that is free of distractions, and let your friends and family know you are not available during your writing time. 

Poll: Have you made any writing-related resolutions for 2015? Read More