Making Time for Writing
Dear Faculty Relations: Summer is when I finally make progress on my scholarly writing. But as soon as the semester starts, my writing gets buried. Any advice for I keeping my projects moving? —Buried in Busy
Dear Buried: As summer draws to a close, it’s natural to reflect on the projects on which we had time to make meaningful progress. Whether it was a manuscript, a grant proposal, a creative piece, or simply time to explore, summer gives us the space and quiet to reconnect with the scholarly and creative work that inspires us.
Then the semester begins.
Our calendars fill with meetings, emails, teaching, mentoring, seminars, student concerns, and committee work. None of these tasks are unimportant. But because they feel urgent, they sometimes crowd out the time we need to think, write, and create. As a result, the scholarly and creative work that fuels our passion gets pushed to the bottom.
I struggle with this too and I sometimes feel guilty when weeks go by without making progress on the projects that matter most to me. Here are a few practices that have helped.
First, block writing time on your calendar and treat it like any other important commitment. Aim for a consistent day and time while allowing flexibility when inevitable conflicts arise. Second, spend a few minutes each week reviewing the week ahead and deciding what you'll work on and when. For me, identifying dedicated writing time not only creates a plan but also helps me reduce the stress and uncertainty that fuels the Sunday Scaries, that sinking feeling that comes as the week begins and you can’t figure out how you’ll get it all done. Finally, always take advantage of larger blocks of uninterrupted time. Projects move forward much faster when you can immerse yourself.
Need help? The Office of Faculty Affairs offers opportunities to dedicate time to write. Writing circles are small groups that meet regularly to write alongside colleagues, creating accountability, camaraderie, and encouragement. Writing sprints provide day-long sessions where you can immerse yourself in a project, set aside competing demands, and make meaningful progress. Learn more about these writing opportunities and sign up for them.
Written by Julian Resasco, Associate Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Faculty Fellow for Writing Sprints & Groups, Office of Faculty Affairs