Faculty Writing Support Program

Overview

Do you struggle to find the focus you need to think and write?

The 21st-century professor has to somehow manage:

• the constant barrage of emails;
• the unending needs of students, colleagues, and family members;
• the distractions of social media and the web; and

...still somehow produce compelling work.

 Does it sometimes feel like you could only really think clearly if you were far from your computer and all the people who need you, on a desert island or in a cabin in the woods?

If you could use some new strategies for clear thinking on a daily basis in the real world, please join us for a brainstorming workshop on Friday March 1, 2:30-4 p.m.

As the date of this workshop is soon, please register here by the end of Reading Week – February 24.

Format

1. Share strategies we each have used to find a clear, non-distracted headspace to think and write;
2. Discuss the merits of strategies proposed by writing experts; and
3. Each of us will then create our own, individualized set of strategies to try to find ourselves a cognitive cocoon on a consistent basis.

Details

• When: March 1, 2019 2:30-4 p.m.
• Where: University College 2110
• Who: Full- and part-time faculty at Western
• Registration Deadline: February 24, 2019.

This event is part of Western's Faculty Writing Support Program – a grassroots enterprise led by Western faculty members with support and funding from Research Western.

Show Up and Write!

Fridays, 9.30-11:30 a.m. | January 4th – April 5th | Physics & Astronomy Building 117

Need some help committing to a regular writing practice? We have organized a weekly drop-in session every Friday as part of Western's new Faculty Writing Support Program for faculty members.

Come join us to write alongside supportive colleagues from across campus in a quiet, focused environment. We will hold these sessions every Friday between 9:30-11:30 a.m. You don't need to come every week.

Details

• We have booked a large room that seats slightly more than 50 people, so feel free to bring your colleagues along, too.
• This room isn't an especially cozy space for writing, but it does have good availability of power outlets, is centrally located, and provides room to spread out. (Note: we will not be providing refreshments; please bring your own).
• Not to worry if you can't manage the whole two hours, or can't come every week: feel free to come sporadically or regularly, as is useful to you.
• Please note that these sessions will not involve discussions about writing (although you are welcome to have these afterwards). Our plan is for each of us to spend the time on quiet, focused, solitary work in the company of our colleagues.
• No need to register: feel free to show up and write whenever you would like.

Would you benefit from a supportive day of focused writing with your colleagues to set you up to meet writing goals over the months ahead? With Research Western's support, the Faculty Writing Support Program hosts twice-annual writing retreats in early summer and mid-fall.

Details

• When: Next date TBD
• Who: Full- and part-time faculty at Western
• What: After brief introductions and goal-setting, the bulk of the day will be spent writing quietly alongside one another
• Brain Nourishment: Caffeinated and non-caffeinated beverages, snacks, and lunch will be provided.
• Application Deadline: Application is now closed.

To make this retreat effective, we can only welcome 30 faculty members.

We have accepted applications from part-time faculty (including those without research appointments) and full-time faculty from all faculties and departments at Western. We selected the final list of participants based on their reasons for wishing to attend, while also attempting to represent the diversity of our colleagues.

Overcoming Burnout, Writer’s Block, Resistance to Writing

• 10 Steps to Reignite Your Flame and Shine Brightly Once More
• 6 Ways to Beat Writer's Block
• Lower Your Standards
• Shut Up and Write
• The Costs of Perfectionism
• Aiding the Writing-Stalled Professor

Writing Habits

• How To Restart Your Research This Summer
• A Realistic Summer Writing Schedule
• Planning a Productive Summer
• Regrouping After an Unsuccessful Summer
• No More Post-Summer Regret
• 10 Simple Rules for Scientists: Improving Your Writing Productivity

Revising Writing

• The Biggest Mistake When Revising Your Writing
• 10 Tips on How to Write Less Badly

Other

• Get the Most out of Your Sabbatical
• How to Overcome Post-Tenure Paralysis