Which Season of Academic Writing Are You In?



Dear Real Academics,

I've written in the past about a book I enjoyed reading because of the content and because it was so beautifully written: Spiritual Rhythm by Mark Buchanan.

The premise of the book revolves around observing life through seasons.

With that said, indulge me a bit to think about how seasons might look in terms of academic writing. And, more importantly, what that season means for you as an academic writer.

As you read, think about what season YOU are in.


Spring

A time of 
new, 
energy, 
and 
activity

Examples could be: The start of a new project; generating new ideas; starting a new job

What the season means for you as an academic writer:

  • Embrace the season of excitement.
  • Use the season to foster collaborations and get involved in new learning activities.
  • Try out new strategies. Read and write different kinds of things.


Summer

A time of 
warmth, 
vacation, 
and 
time

Examples could be: A sabbatical year; a writing retreat; a dissertation boot camp

What the season means for you as an academic writer:

  • Embrace the season to focus.
  • Delve into deep thinking.
  • Delve into fun productivity.



Fall

A time of 
change, 
crispness, 
and 
preparation

Examples could be: Transitioning and preparing for a new position; wrapping-up a dissertation, manuscript, or grant.

What the season means for you as an academic writer:
  • Embrace the season to plan. 
  • Allow yourself space to prepare.
  • Celebrate and give thanks for the closure of things past.


Winter

A time of 
cold, 
darkness, 
and
stillness

Examples could be: Waiting on a manuscript or grant review, a job application response, your dissertation committee to give you the green light to defend, or anything else! Working steadily away on a big project.

What the season means for you as an academic writer:
  • Embrace the season of stillness and waiting.
  • Practice patience, because you'll need it!
  • Use the stillness as a space to simultaneously rest, keep working steadily, and dream up new ideas in preparation for spring - it will come.

What writing season are you in? 

It could be that you are in simultaneously different seasons depending on your projects.

But it could also be that you are generally more in one season than another.

Whatever season you are in, I hope this post gave you some ideas about how to positively view, embrace, and still be productive in that season.

Until next time, happy writing, productivity, and truth-seeking, 

Maggie
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