Thread by @raulpacheco, One reflection on online writing retreats. I joined @prof

One reflection on online writing retreats. I joined @prof_mirya ‘s today from 2-5 pm. I also joined @amandabittner ‘s from 8-10 am.

Here are things that work for me:
- hourly check-ins
- declaring what I’m going to work on, at the beginning of the session
- closing review

- Having a 3 hour block gives me the flexibility of “investing” some of that time as “runway” (preparation) time.
- I need to block Twitter and Facebook while I write
- with the 2 hour block, if I invest some of that time in “runway” I feel frustrated.
- hearing how others...

... work is also inspiring for me.
- seeing camaraderie online is also very inspiring - lots of people offering to help one another “once the Zoom is over”, makes me feel supported and cared for.
- The shared struggle: knowing that others are also struggling to think/work.

Perhaps THE textbook on writing retreats is "Writing in Social Spaces" http://www.raulpacheco.org/2020/02/writing-in-social-spaces-a-social-processes-approach-to-academic-writing-my-reading-notes/ by @murray_rowena

There are many folks who have organised or do organise writing retreats on a regular basis ( @llmunro @leannecpowner @amyjcuddy @tanyaboza come to mind)

Writing in Social Spaces: A social processes approach to academic writing (my reading notes)

I remember when I was starting my doctorate, a number of faculty told me that

http://www.raulpacheco.org/2020/02/writing-in-social-spaces-a-social-processes-approach-to-academic-writing-my-reading-notes/

I've written about writing retreats before (and the more I work on my "how to academia" book the more I realize I have written about a SHIT TON of stuff) http://www.raulpacheco.org/2020/01/on-the-value-of-writing-retreats/

Doing one makes me feel extraordinarily guilty, though. I can't help but recognise my privilege.

On the value of writing retreats

There's a lot of writing around about "writing retreats" and I had wanted to write

http://www.raulpacheco.org/2020/01/on-the-value-of-writing-retreats/

There are so many contingent faculty, academic parents (especially mothers, and even more acutely single mothers) for whom having the privilege of accessing an extended block of time is a real luxury. Every time I do one of these, I do recognise my privilege, and I do try to help

In the end, we make do with what we have. @loleen_berdahl has encouraged writing for 10 minutes, and I think that's doable and worth doing, even if it's literally what @meredithdclark calls "runway time".

To be 100% honest with you, I am writing so much right now because...

... I AM HEALTHY.

At the peak of my eczema/psoriasis/dermatitis/chronic fatigue/chronic pain, I could barely move, let alone write.

AND I *had* to teach!

So while I do feel slightly guilty for being more productive now than when moving would cause me pain, I feel relieved.

These are very, very tough times, so let's try to not guilt, shame or otherwise put pressure on others, or let anyone put pressure on ourselves. We do what we can with what we have, that's all.

We are all in this together, and hopefully things will get better in the future.

Latest Threads Unrolled: