Academia can look like an individual sport, but it's really a team effort. Our writing group + my academic coach were so important to figuring out how to thrive in this profession. Love your blog.
AHHH! Amazing - so great to be able to chat like this. (I suppose we could easily do it other ways too). We'll have to catch up at AoM if you are making the trip
I guess it's safe to assume you have practised a balance between academic and artistic writing habits, and displayed them here on Substack. This is my first piece I have read of yours and I could not help but smile and feel romanced with your delivery.
A pomeranian with its chompers almost around the bumper of a semi-truck. ChatGPT tried to tell me it couldn’t do this because “I can't create images with violent or potentially harmful depictions.” — this is hilarious! 😂 I'm enjoying my relationship with my new best friend, ChatGPT. AI does its best at intervening when I'm going off the rails. Grammarly AI takes a similar interest in my social life and emotional well-being. “Are you sure you want to say that?!”— is generally the response. AI is good at smoothing out the rough edges. But I'm not so sure I want them smoothed out.
I like the spreadsheet idea. Accountability and additional structure would help me feel more successful in my writing. I have lots of ideas. However, productivity is difficult because I have difficulty with focus and completion. I enjoy generating ideas. Too many open tabs challenge me. Once I've come up with an idea and worked through it in my mind, I'm often done with it. I lack follow-through. I’ll definitely consider some of the things you've mentioned here. I'm in the middle of a move, which makes things more challenging. I believe it will be easier once I have an office set up. Thanks, Colin, for inspiring me to consider a system that might work for me once I'm settled.
My pleasure Anna! I really appreciate these comments - I can really see what's resonating in these posts! Good luck with the move and keep me posted if this sparks any system changes for you!
Seriously, the hours it takes me to write a post… and somehow, I never end up where I originally intended to go. The cutting, the pasting, the rearranging—it’s like a never-ending puzzle.
As one of Colin's first academic coauthors (maybe THE first?), I can attest to the dramatic, positive change in his attitude toward writing. As I witnessed the growth in his skill and disciplined engagement in writing projects over the years, I was astonished and delighted to see how his enjoyment of writing blossomed. It's impossible to read these witty and wise Substack posts - and the bits of his new book that I've been privileged to read - without feeling that this is an author who really loves what he's doing!
thanks! I had a bunch of alternative boring things to write manuals for, but decided microwaves were the funniest without being obtrusive. Glad it landed!
I just received an email... Ah, the title seems relevant, and I read through. The more I read, the more I related to it. It seemed as if I was either reading my past or incoming future. I guess some others may have felt the same. I really admire the sheer honesty you have put in the details. I am an early researcher who is struggling to sound right (at least in my own head). Every sentence of the dissertation I write makes me believe... Ah, you can do much better than this. I sometimes lose hope, but then every fresh day brings positivity, and I start over, but without the SMART technique. I am surely going to try this. I loved the honesty in your writing and the tone.
I would appreciate it if I could find a good coach here.
I'm really glad it was helpful Ali! And thank you for sharing this! Substack has a lot of great writing advice, but I haven't seen as many talking about academic writing here as I have over on LinkedIn. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places though.
That said, I'm slowly putting my whole PhD writing class in all these posts and am going to compile them in the next week or two, so stay tuned!
I got to this through LinkedIn. I believe LinkedIn is a great platform to be able to learn from others. I haven't found my coach (on LinkedIn) yet but am still optimistic about it. I am looking forward to more inspiration from your writings. I am all in!!
Academia can look like an individual sport, but it's really a team effort. Our writing group + my academic coach were so important to figuring out how to thrive in this profession. Love your blog.
Thanks Erin! Totally true! (Are you the Erin I referenced in the post? Can't tell from the profile)
Yes, it is me. :)
AHHH! Amazing - so great to be able to chat like this. (I suppose we could easily do it other ways too). We'll have to catch up at AoM if you are making the trip
I guess it's safe to assume you have practised a balance between academic and artistic writing habits, and displayed them here on Substack. This is my first piece I have read of yours and I could not help but smile and feel romanced with your delivery.
Cannot wait to read more.
Thank you so much, Jeffrey! I really appreciate you sharing this - it’s so great to hear!
A pomeranian with its chompers almost around the bumper of a semi-truck. ChatGPT tried to tell me it couldn’t do this because “I can't create images with violent or potentially harmful depictions.” — this is hilarious! 😂 I'm enjoying my relationship with my new best friend, ChatGPT. AI does its best at intervening when I'm going off the rails. Grammarly AI takes a similar interest in my social life and emotional well-being. “Are you sure you want to say that?!”— is generally the response. AI is good at smoothing out the rough edges. But I'm not so sure I want them smoothed out.
I like the spreadsheet idea. Accountability and additional structure would help me feel more successful in my writing. I have lots of ideas. However, productivity is difficult because I have difficulty with focus and completion. I enjoy generating ideas. Too many open tabs challenge me. Once I've come up with an idea and worked through it in my mind, I'm often done with it. I lack follow-through. I’ll definitely consider some of the things you've mentioned here. I'm in the middle of a move, which makes things more challenging. I believe it will be easier once I have an office set up. Thanks, Colin, for inspiring me to consider a system that might work for me once I'm settled.
My pleasure Anna! I really appreciate these comments - I can really see what's resonating in these posts! Good luck with the move and keep me posted if this sparks any system changes for you!
Will do, Colin.
This one hit home on a couple levels. Bookmarking so I can refer back to it - so, so good. I really appreciate you sharing your wisdom and experience.
Also, the preschool picture is from Bellevue - 140th Ave NE, if I recall.
So precious!
I knew we had the Eastside connection, but I didn't realize we were practically neighbors. I grew up on 142nd.
Crazy! Yeah, I grew up right on the Redmond/Bellevue/Kirkland border, so it sounds like we were practically neighbors!
Thanks so much, Erin! After reading all of your great parenting posts, I'm glad to write one that hits home for you too!
That’s so thoughtful, thank you.
Seriously, the hours it takes me to write a post… and somehow, I never end up where I originally intended to go. The cutting, the pasting, the rearranging—it’s like a never-ending puzzle.
As one of Colin's first academic coauthors (maybe THE first?), I can attest to the dramatic, positive change in his attitude toward writing. As I witnessed the growth in his skill and disciplined engagement in writing projects over the years, I was astonished and delighted to see how his enjoyment of writing blossomed. It's impossible to read these witty and wise Substack posts - and the bits of his new book that I've been privileged to read - without feeling that this is an author who really loves what he's doing!
Aww thank you Teresa! I could not have gotten where I am today without your loving guidance, collaboration, and wisdom!
-like writing directions for using microwave ovens- 👍🏼🤣
thanks! I had a bunch of alternative boring things to write manuals for, but decided microwaves were the funniest without being obtrusive. Glad it landed!
I just received an email... Ah, the title seems relevant, and I read through. The more I read, the more I related to it. It seemed as if I was either reading my past or incoming future. I guess some others may have felt the same. I really admire the sheer honesty you have put in the details. I am an early researcher who is struggling to sound right (at least in my own head). Every sentence of the dissertation I write makes me believe... Ah, you can do much better than this. I sometimes lose hope, but then every fresh day brings positivity, and I start over, but without the SMART technique. I am surely going to try this. I loved the honesty in your writing and the tone.
I would appreciate it if I could find a good coach here.
I'm really glad it was helpful Ali! And thank you for sharing this! Substack has a lot of great writing advice, but I haven't seen as many talking about academic writing here as I have over on LinkedIn. Maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places though.
That said, I'm slowly putting my whole PhD writing class in all these posts and am going to compile them in the next week or two, so stay tuned!
I got to this through LinkedIn. I believe LinkedIn is a great platform to be able to learn from others. I haven't found my coach (on LinkedIn) yet but am still optimistic about it. I am looking forward to more inspiration from your writings. I am all in!!