writing process

Getting writing done

Ten-minute bursts aren’t miracle cures for writing challenges, but they are powerful, uncomplicated tools in the writer’s armoury.

1 Starting thoughts When an essay assignment arrives, read the title slowly. Put it aside for an hour then read it again. Take 15 minutes to ask yourself: • Do I understand what’s being asked of me? You might need…

Finding your faults

When we edit, most of us simply read the text, line by line, correcting as we go. But it can be more effective to read for one kind of fault at a time.

Stuck in a rut?

Ideas tend to come when we’re not racking our brains. They surprise us when the mind is relaxed and wandering over our material.

How to write in short stints

Keep a notebook with you at all times to jot down ideas for your next writing stint.

The art and craft of editing

Use focussed tasks to turn editing from a fuzzy, depressing process into a proactive, task-based operation with clear goals.

Writing for visual thinkers

Academic writing is a significant challenge for predominantly visual thinkers. Here are some ways to help them to convert an explosion of connected ideas into a linear format.

Working with your word limit

Cherise Saywell When coaching students nervous about the blank page, I’ve often used the word limit as a technique for getting started. A big project, such as a PhD thesis, is less intimidating once you break it down. For example,…