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Summer is a season of writing for many of us—or at least, a season when writing feels a little more possible. For some of us, making progress is about finding big stretches of uninterrupted time, and for others it's about building (and sustaining) momentum—and I'd like to help with both approaches.
With that in mind, here are a few ways the Faculty Commons can support your writing this summer.
My May 12 writing retreat filled quickly, which tells me how many of you need this kind of support.
I'm also launching something more flexible: writing accountability groups (WAGs). These small, self-directed groups are a way to create ongoing structure—setting goals, checking in, and helping each other maintain momentum. Learn more and sign up for a WAG here.
A few weeks ago, I hosted James Lang in offering a fantastic virtual workshop on "Write Like a Teacher: Expanding the Audience for Your Research," which invited participants to think about how our teaching skills—posing questions, guiding students, and making ideas accessible—can also shape our writing. If you missed it—or want to revisit it—you can now access recording and materials.
I've also taken on our languishing institutional membership to the Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAA), which sponsored the "Write Like a Teacher" workshop above. Through this institutional membership, you have access to lots of resources for academic writers. We'll start featuring specific resources and opportunities in the Faculty Commons weekly Bulletin and monthly Newsletter, so stay tuned—and if you haven't yet activated your account, fill out this membership form.
Karen Dunlap is also continuing Where Is Oakley Writing? (WOW), a self-paced accountability program with a playful twist: TWU’s Oakley the owl “travels” six virtual miles for every 20 minutes participants spend writing. Learn more and sign up for the summer WOW here.
If you’re heading into the summer with writing goals (or even just writing intentions), I hope you’ll find a form of support that works for you. Momentum doesn’t come from willpower alone—it’s something we build, often in small ways and in good company.
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