Writing for the PhD - Actually doing it

How do you actually sit down to do it? Where do you get your inspiration? Plus, the Music Highlight

Photo by Alexander Jawfox on Unsplash

Every PhD student has to write something at some point in their studies:

• an article

• a paper

• a script for a talk

• notes while reading

• the dissertation

You don’t always feel like it

Do you sometimes dread writing?

Have you noticed why you dread it?

For me, when that happens, I am either:

• tired from my beloved job - teaching, which I truly love but you are not always in the mood to work after work : )

• scared to write: I feel that I won’t be able to produce something super academic, or I won’t cover my topic as it should be.

What do I do if I have a deadline looming that I need to meet asap?

1. Start small

Think of your writing as pieces or parts, instead of a huge piece of writing. I also advise my students to do so. There is no way you can be inspired thinking of your writing as a huge piece to do on its own, a gargantuan task that is unsinspiring and impossible to happen as a one-off.

2. Use a timer

Create your own slots, as much as you can work each time - this is kind of like an adjusted Pomodoro technique to your own strength each time. Once you can write in short 15-minute bursts; another day when you are more relaxed you can perhaps write for a longer stretch. And knowing that a break is coming makes starting easier and helps keep focused.

3. Schedule writing time

This is not always possible because of interruptions and distractions, especially if you have a family or are a caregiver to an elderly person, or have to work full-time and need to block out time. Try to treat writing like an appointment. Block out dedicated writing sessions in your calendar and stick to them like a work meeting. If it is not possible, don’t worry and you can try again another day - we have to be considerate that not everyone can do that, due to life or other things getting in the way.

4. Join a writing/co-working group

Join a writing group, find a PhD writing buddy, or use apps to stay accountable and maintain consistency.

A group I used to join and will start joining again - life really got in the way and unfortunately I had to go on a hiatus from a lot of things - is The Academic Writers’ Space which I absolutely love and can’t wait to get back into soon! (Not a sponsored mention nor have I been asked, but it is an amazing group that has really helped me with writing and focusing and Alison Miller, one of the co-founders and session facilitators, is the best!)

5. Write in a Different Environment

A simple change of scenery - working in a café, library, or even a different room - can refresh your perspective and reduce distractions. If you don’t have a different room - like me in my first apartment (and the third one) in Switzerland, which only had one room, it is really worth going somewhere else to work.

As I know that might entail spending money, find what affordable options there are in your area - even ask the local café what you are planning on doing and trust me, most of the times they will help you. I did it too and found the loveliest café to work from during my Masters studies - a lovely three-year period, and I could stay on for hours there and also have an affordable lunch that might even have cost more for me to make at home. I wrote almost my entire MA thesis in there and their minestrone was the best! They were all so proud of me when I graduated from my MA program! (Unfortunately, afterwards they sold the place and then the new place wasn’t so inspiring anymore.)

How do you deal with writer’s block? Share your experiences in the comments or let’s discuss strategies that have worked for you!

The Music Highlight

I thought that because writing can be bittersweet, you can be happy with what you have produced or dread to see the same article for the 17th time, what better song to choose for this week than this great one by The Verve?

Enjoy - I need to get back to my writing!