
Building a Sustainable Writing Practice for the Summer Months (and Beyond)
Friday, May 2, 2025
12:00-1:00pm CT/1:00-2:00pm EST
Join via Zoom: https://bit.ly/4cBOXHj
Prof. Cara A. Finnegan, University of Illinois
Prof. Debra Hawhee, Penn State University
Academics often think of summer as a magical time when the demands of the typical academic year can be set aside so that we can finally turn to our writing and research. Overachievers that we are, we imagine that we will have time and energy to complete All The Things. All too soon, however, the fantasy of “all summer to write” fades into the reality of our actual lives and then we beat ourselves up for not getting it all done. This workshop will offer attendees strategies designed to skip the fantasy and instead develop a concrete, specific, sustainable writing practice that will set you up for your work this summer and beyond. Attendees should come with pen/paper/screen and a calendar and expect to leave with a doable summer plan in hand.
Resources for Writing Guidance and Inspiration:
Cayley, Rachael. Thriving as a Graduate Writer: Principles, Strategies, and Habits for Effective Academic Writing. University of Michigan Press, 2023.
Germano, William. On Revision: The Only Writing That Counts. University of Chicago Press, 2021.
Jensen, Joli. Write No Matter What: Advice for Academics. University of Chicago Press, 2017.
Smith, Maggie. Dear Writer: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life. Washington Square Press, 2025.
Sword, Helen. Air & Light & Time & Space: How Successful Academics Write. Harvard University Press, 2017.
(Video Recording Coming Soon)
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