Books that have helped me learn to write for the process
Writing reminds me that I am a scholar, and I do, in fact, have things to say about soil. The writing process is empowering, encouraging, frustrating, and challenging all at the same time.
In my years as an academic writer, I have attended many writing workshops, retreats, meet ups, and courses. I have practiced writing every day, fallen off the habit, and started up again several times. I’ve keep track of my writing minutes, words, and moods. I have loved writing as much as I have loathed writing. I’ve put writing aside altogether when it was just too overwhelming to begin again.
I am constantly relearning the same writing lessons over and over from a new perspective. I also look to the wisdom of others for encouragement to continue on. Writing is not always easy to prioritize as an academic among all the other expectations of my day to day. It isn’t easy, but we do it anyway.
I remind myself to focus on the process, not the outcome. Keep showing up and the words will come.
How do we keep showing up? Well, that’s a longer discussion. I will not distill all that I have learned about the scientific writing process here. Instead, I will leave you with a list of books that have helped encourage and inspire me along the way, in case you are looking for some inspiration of your own.
Books for building a consistent and intentional writing practice:
Write No Matter What by Joli Jensen
Publish and Flourish by Tara Gray
Air & Light & Time & Space by Helen Sword
How to Write a Lot by Paul J. Silvia
Books for developing your scientific writing:
Writing Science by Josh Schimel
The Scientists Guide to Writing by Stephen B. Heard
Reflections from non-academic writers:
Draft No. 4 by John McPhee
Next on my “to read” list:
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Wherever you are on your academic writing journey, I hope you continue to return to the page, whether for the first or thousandth time. Your ideas are worth sharing and we look forward to reading them.
