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The Power of a Word Count Goal – A Lesson from NaNoWriMo

by Robbin Warner, PhD | Nov 15, 2016 | Editing, Getting started, writer's block, writing process

November is National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo for short.  The goal that many people take up is to write a 50,000 word novel in just one month. Sound crazy? Sound impossible? In 2015, 431,626 inspiring writers participated, and this year the number looks to be...

Idea for Managing a Large Writing Project

by Risa Gorelick, PhD | Oct 25, 2016 | Getting started, writer's block, writing process

Think of a large writing project as a series of written out lectures. If you are daunted by the idea of writing a topic as large as a dissertation, then try to think of it as a written series of lectures on your topic that you could TEACH to many people. Do not get...

Write Every Day

by Risa Gorelick, PhD | Sep 27, 2016 | General, Getting started, Uncategorized, writer's block, writing process

Write every day—even if it’s only for an hour broken into smaller segments.   Make good writing habits. Once you have established your good writing habits, set realistic goals of writing two double-spaced pages a day. The next day, start where you left off and keep...

Refueling

by Robbin Warner, PhD | Sep 20, 2016 | Dissertation, General, Getting started, writer's block, writing process

Sometimes, we have deadlines to meet—defense dates, submission deadlines, departmental review dates. At those times, we simply have to force ourselves to sit down and write. There are other times in the writing process, however, when we have the time and space to give...

Finding Your Writing Place

by Risa Gorelick, PhD | Sep 13, 2016 | Drafts, Editing, Getting started, writer's block, writing process

If you do not trust yourself to stay on task, go to a public place where people can see you so you won’t not do what you set out to do, which is WRITE. Quiet places can include libraries, offices, and cafes (during non-peak times). Sometimes, when the weather is nice,...

Recovering from Setbacks

by Robbin Warner, PhD | Aug 30, 2016 | Drafts, Editing, General, Getting started, writing process

Your computer will fail at some point while you’re writing your dissertation. Your schedule will collapse on top of you despite your best intentions. You will receive unexpected and sometimes negative feedback on your work. While you cannot control the world around...
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Recent Posts

  • Caution: Switchback Curves Ahead! November 22, 2016
  • The Power of a Word Count Goal – A Lesson from NaNoWriMo November 15, 2016
  • Writing Cover Letters for Academic Positions November 8, 2016
  • Try Dictating Your Ideas When You Feel Stuck November 1, 2016
  • Idea for Managing a Large Writing Project October 25, 2016

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