Emily Bernhardt: I start every semester off with good intentions and good habits that tend to unravel by mid semester. When I am following those good intentions I start my day with a ‘cobweb clearing’ writing sprint followed by two 30 minute pomodoros on whatever writing project is top of the list. Cobweb clearing writing is free association writing and I use it to write about what I need to get done, where I’m angsting and things I am starting to think about. By the end of that I’m usually in a good mindset for focused writing. Using pomodoros is a good way to stay focused and it’s good to end a writing session before you lose steam. An added bonus is that if I get an hour of writing in first thing, the day feels like a success no matter what else does (or doesn’t) get done. Looking forward to a hard reset in the New Year.
Paul Manos: To keep studying writing styles in my field to see the diversity of approaches used in critical sections of a paper (e.g., paragraphs 1-3 and the last paragraph of the intro, and the first paragraph of the discussion). To get more serious about writing for the broader public because it helps me write in a more active tone using shorter sentences with more flexibility, and what I think is an easier to read style. To keep writing in concentrated blocks of time, and to always check in on my work first thing in the AM and/or late at night. To remember to go to hard copy drafts as a check on flow and overall construction. And to keep writing with team-oriented colleagues who believe in each other’s strengths.
David Sherwood: Mine is reading creative writing 🙂 I always find that helps expand my thinking and writing. Reading a book now…“Bewilderment”.
What are your New Year’s writing resolutions? Join the conversation below!
