Writing. We all need to do it, yet we often find it difficult to make time for this important part of our academic work. We struggle to meet our goals (or to even set them in the first place) and can wind up feeling some combination of stressed, isolated, anxious, and demotivated. Academic structured writing retreats (SWR) help address some of these barriers to achieving writing goals through a community of practice approach. By providing dedicated space that prioritizes writing, creating a co-operative (yet non-surveillance) environment, and pushing you to think through strategic and specific goals for your writing, SWR foster productivity for writers at all stages of a writing project. The structure of the retreat also makes space for breaks, snacks, meals, and even a bit of moving/exercise, which make writing more sustainable and less detrimental to our physical health and wellness.
Research from the UK has demonstrated the effectiveness of the SWR model; writers have found they were more productive and less stressed than when they wrote independently (see Murray & Newton, 2009). While SWR are usually offered in a 3-day format, TMTC is hosting a 1-day mini-SWR facilitated by Allison Murray, a TMTC Associate and Emmanuel College PhD Candidate, to help foster a supportive environment for writers within the TMTC community.
The retreat is scheduled for Friday, March 27th and given the COVID-19 pandemic has now been moved online. We will begin at 9am and end at approximately 5:30pm. A detailed schedule will be available closer to the date for participants. Writers will bring their own projects to work on and, working in set time blocks, write towards their own goals throughout the day. All you need to bring is your laptop, power cord, and a willingness to try a new approach to academic writing.
If you plan to join us, please RSVP no later than Friday, March 20th. We're looking forward to writing together!
