Step by step instructions for creating your own writing routine
“Just write a first draft and then edit it. Don’t be too much of a perfectionist at the start. For grants, always remember to focus on what is the most important thing to do next. We can do lots of stuff but that isn’t good enough. Always remind the reader why this is the most important next thing to do.”
—Dr. Suzanne Pfeffer (Stanford Biochemistry Department)
Hello, my name is Jennifer and I am a chronic writing procrastinator…
In my academic life, grant application deadlines and all-nighters have always gone hand in hand. Thus, when allowed to design a workshop for the grant writing academy, I decided to do one on writing rituals and routines. My goal is to initiate good writing habits in both myself and others. Together, let’s become productive and prolific writers.
My four simple academic writing truths
Writing is important! We need to write to get grants. We need to write to publish papers. We need to write to communicate our science to others. Yet, for many scientists (myself included), we only write when we are forced to.
Writing is something we need to do frequently! Writing is just as important as experiments – so, just as we run experiments every day, we also need to write every day.
Writing is difficult! There is no “magic solution” to writing faster or better, but writing more frequently can help.
Great writers don’t necessarily write better or faster. Great writers write more, get feedback, and relentlessly edit what they have.
A list of words that workshop participants associate with academic writing.
Workshop overview (if you didn’t attend the workshop, try to work through all these steps for yourself at home)
Step 1: Through a class writing exercise, we collectively came to the conclusion that scientific writing is difficult for everyone. We all have writing projects we want to complete and valid reasons why we don’t start or finish these projects.
Step 2: Identify one writing project that you want to complete now.
For members of the workshop, this writing project included: grants, papers, revisions, and committee proposals.
Step 3: Identify your “writing myth.” Think very hard and be honest with yourself, why have you not started writing yet or what is stopping you from finishing?
For members of the workshop, these writing myths included:
I am just too busy to write
I need to do more experiments before I can write my paper
I need to do more research before I can properly I address reviewer comments
I need to read more before I start writing, my thoughts are dumb
I have lots of ideas but I don’t know how to begin writing them down
Whenever I write, it is just terrible and I delete it all
I just get too distracted with other things to write productively
Step 4: Dispel your writing myth. Work honestly with yourself to determine why your writing myth is not true. The only way to overcome a writing myth obstructing your way is to dissolve it with the truth. Note — if you can’t solve your writing myth on your own, it really helps to talk it out with others.
For members of the workshop, they dispelled their writing myths with the following truths:
I am busy, but completing this writing project is a top priority and I need to make time for working on it. My writing time is sacred and I will not give that time to others.
Before I do more experiments, I should write down what I have to better identify what I need.
Before I read more, I should write down what I know to better understand what I don’t know. In writing my paper (i.e. introduction), I can amend my citations later.
Before I read more, I should take all my ideas and build an outline to help organize my thoughts.
This is just a first draft, it doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s easier to get feedback and fix a first draft than to fix no draft.
Step 5: Begin developing a writing routine. How much time will you commit to writing each week? Where will you write? How will you stay productive while you write?
Example: I will write 1 hour/day for 4 days/week. I will write in the library because I know I write better in quiet environments. I will “treat myself” with a snack after each page I write.
Note: If you have a pending deadline, you will need to increase the amount of time you commit to writing. Remember, your writing time is sacred, protect this time!
Step 6: Set yourself up for success by breaking down your larger writing goal into smaller sub-goals.
Instead of writing with the goal of completing an entire paper, break the task down.
Sub-goal #1: Create an outline of your results.
Sub-goal #2: Create a first draft of the introduction.
Sub-goal #3: Start writing out the results.
Sub-goal #4: Write up the conclusion.
As you adhere to your writing routine and use this increased writing time to accomplish your sub-goals you will see your progress and this will propel you to keep going!!! Remember, you got this!
Step 7: Build accountability. When it comes to writing, tell everyone that you are starting a writing routine and promise people drafts to keep you on task.
When it comes to a writing routine, the most difficult part is sticking with it. Thus, an important component of the writing routine process is to build accountability. For example, start a writing group with others, so you can ask each other how your writing is going. Tell your PI and friends that you will be sending them drafts of your writing. This strategy will not only get you feedback on your writing, but by promising drafts to others you will create artificial (early) deadlines for yourself and be more likely to complete writing tasks. Stick with it!