Building sustainable writing habits starts with structure and community. To help you stay connected and motivated, the WCC supports a collection of writing groups called #WaterlooWrites. These groups are hosted by WCC staff as well as volunteer graduate students and faculty across campus.
#WaterlooWrites is made up of two main kinds of writing groups: the WCC Writing Cafes are hosted by the WCC and are open to all grad students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty. Our Volunteer Writing Groups are hosted by students and faculty from different departments, research groups, and identity groups. If you join any #WaterlooWrites group, you can work towards earning a #WaterlooWrites mug.
Pick up a #WaterlooWrites stamp card from reception at The Write Spot in SCH219, from a WCC staff member during our in-person Writing Café on Wednesday afternoons, or download the digital version. Each time you show up and write, you'll earn a “stamp” on your card. Fill up your card with 12 “stamps” to receive a #WaterlooWrites coffee mug to show off your dedication and fuel future writing sessions!
The WCC Writing Cafes
The WCC hosts three different kinds of drop-in Writing Cafés, so join us when you can and cheer your fellow writers on as you all get some focused writing time.
Virtual Writing Cafés are open to any graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, and faculty member at the University of Waterloo and take place on Teams every Tuesday and Friday morning from 9am until noon, Waterloo time. Reach out to Elise Vist if you have any questions, then fill out the form to register.
Our In-Person Writing Cafés are also open to any open to any graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, and faculty member at the University of Waterloo. These take place on Wednesdays from 2pm-4:30pm in the GSA Grad Lounge, SLC 3216. Reach out to Elise Vist if you have any questions, then fill out the form to register.
The IBPOC Writing Cafés are spaces where Indigenous, Black, and graduate students of colour can come together to form supportive communities of writers. Structured by timed writing spurts and breaks, these groups make space for concerns specific to IBPOC writers. These take place on Teams every Tuesday from 4:30-6:30pm and are hosted by Ileana Diaz, Writing and Communication Advisor. Reach out to Ileana Diaz if you have any questions, then fill out the form to register.
Volunteer-run Groups
Can't make it to the WCC's Writing Cafés? Looking for a writing community of peers in your discipline?
Join a #WaterlooWrites group!
#WaterlooWrites groups offer virtual and in-person "show up and write" communities for graduate students. They are facilitated and hosted by volunteers who want to help you write with peers, discuss the challenges and successes of writing about your research, and learn new writing tips each week
Each volunteer-hosted writing group is different, so take a look at the existing groups below and see if one is a good fit for you! To register, reach out to the hosts, then fill out the form below
Volunteer Hosted Groups
Arts Writing Café
Hosted by Catherine Ramey
The Arts Writing Café is an online writing group for graduate students, staff, and faculty in
the Faculty of Arts at the University of Waterloo. Do you have readings, writings, marking, or other work
that you need to get through but you’re having trouble starting or staying on task? Join us in this virtual
workspace to meet other Arts grad students, staff, and faculty and hold each other accountable to our
daily productivity goals!
When: Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am-12pm, starting Feb 27th
Where: Online on Teams
CBB-CREATE (CENTRE FOR BIOGENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY)
Hosted by Carly Turnbull and Kenrick Vassail
The CBB NSERC CREATE Training in Global Biomedical Technology Research and Innovation program provides training in biomedical design, biomedical commercialization, and professional soft skills to a multidisciplinary group of students. Our CBB-CREATE writing group supports our training program by introducing our trainees to weekly writing tips and techniques that will help them organize and structure their writing and be more effective in communicating their research
When: The 1st Thursday of the month (January 12, February 2, March 2 April 6) from 2-4:30pm
Where: Online
CBB Create is only open to CREATE trainees, so contact Carly and Kenrick before filling out the form above to get added to the #WaterlooWrites Team.
OPTOMETRY
Please contact your host Adrianna if you have any questions or suggestions.
Calling all Faculty and Graduate students at the School of Optometry and Vision Science: Come join your fellow colleagues for weekly Writing Cafés in the Witer Learning Resource Centre (WLRC) this Winter term! Bring anything you plan to work on, enjoy complimentary refreshments, and improve your productivity through the Pomodoro technique (30-minute writing/working sessions followed by 5-minute breaks). It's a Win-Win-Win scenario! 😄
When: Wednesdays 2-5 PM
Where: The Witer Learning Resource Centre (OPT 2101).
PHARMACY
Hosted by Rishabh Sharma
Waterloo Writes Pharmacy online writing group is a lively, social space to get writing done while also interacting and discussing with your colleagues your writing challenges.
When: Every 2 weeks from 9-11am, starting Thursday November 17th. January start date TBD.
Where: Online
SWIGS
Hosts: Arisha Imran and Jake Ferguson
When: TBD
WORKING ONLINE WATERLOO (INTERDISCIPLINARY GROUP)
Hosts: Katy Fulfer and Jennifer Ellingham
The WOW #WaterlooWrites group is an interdisciplinary group of graduate students, faculty and staff from the University of Waterloo that is intended to hold the members accountable to their goals, motivate them to work and support member well-being through social interactions.
When: Mondays: 9-12; 1:20-5, Tuesdays 1:20-5, Thursdays 9-12
Where: Teams
Share your writing practice with Waterloo's online community! Take a photo or tweet about your writing session and use the hashtag #WaterlooWrites.
If you can’t find a group that works for you, consider hosting one. Any grad student, postdoctoral fellow, or faculty member can start a #WaterlooWrites group. Check out the guidebook below and then reach out to Elise Vist Elise Vist, at the WCC if you’re interested in starting one.