Shut Up and Write! group

To write up your research you need to write often, and you need to write well, but for most of us this is not easy. We're a group who meet to do sustained silent writing. Our sessions have dedicated, focused time for research without interruptions, and with the advantage of collegiality (and accountability).

Whether you’re a postgraduate student writing your thesis or a staff member writing your journal article/book chapter, this group is for you. These sessions are a chance to dedicate some focused time to working on your writing and hold yourself accountable for your work. You can work on anything writing-related, so long as you work!

These sessions are about working on your own work and having support from other researchers, rather than a directed workshop.

Who should join this group?

  1. Are you a research student or staff member trying to get on with writing?
  2. Are you (like many of us) great at procrastinating your writing?
  3. Are you looking for collegial support in writing?
  4. Do you want to write your thesis/journal article/book chapter quickly and effectively?
  5. Do you want to be a prolific writer? Do you want a successful writing experience?

When do we meet?

The online drop-in sessions are scheduled on Mondays 9.30am-11.45am through Zoom (sessions may change subject to demand).

You don't need to attend the full duration of the session, but it is handy if you do so, as it gives us a chance to chat to one another and provide support as needed. The format for sessions is described below.

Join the Zoom session

Format of the writing sessions

The format for our sessions will be as follows:

  • 9.30am Welcome and intros
  • 9.40am 1st pomodoro
  • 10.05am Short break (5 mins)
  • 10.10am 2nd pomodoro
  • 10.35am Short break (5 mins)
  • 10.40am 3rd pomodoro
  • 11.05am Short break (5 mins)
  • 11.10am 4th pomodoro (slightly longer)
  • 11.40am Debrief and reflect on journey
  • 11.45am Close

We will have a nominated host for the sessions, who will be the timekeeper for the 25-minute pomodoros, during which there will be no talking among the group. We will have short intros from everyone at the beginning of each session, which include each person’s name, department, and what they’re working on.

During sessions, we will use the chat function within Zoom for side conversations and any issues that people might be having with the session. When a pomodoro is on during a session, everyone will be muted (with video on). There will be the opportunity in sessions to unmute and chat during the break times between pomodoros.

Questions?

If you have questions about the group, contact Scott Pilkington:

scott.pilkington@aut.ac.nz

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