Woke up so ready to get back to writing! I’m definitively finishing this sub-section today, but I would be thrilled to make major progress into the next sub-section too. Knowing how long this main body section (with 3 sub-sections) will be helps figure out the shape of the rest.
Current shape of the chapter is a beefy intro, a big body section with 3 sub-sections & then either a smaller section then a conclusion, or I move the ideas for that smaller section into the book conclusion & go straight into the chapter conclusion when I finish this section.
A lot of folks who have read my first book, #BodymindsReimagined, have commented on how clearly organized/presented the writing & argument is in it. That’s meaningful to me bc I spend A LOT of time working on chapter structure. The order & style of presenting an argument matters!
What I’ve discovered again in writing this book is how much of my writing-thinking happens when I’m not at my desk. I figured out the structure of the section I’m working on while relaxing in a tub. I figured out how I want to do the conclusion while swimming.
Sometimes my writing process involves me lying on a bed or couch with my eyes closed just talking to myself until I work through an issue & then using Voice Memo on my phone to record myself when I figure it out. I’m sure it looks wild if anyone saw but I live alone!
As someone who got an MFA & published some poetry before this whole academic thing, I REALLY think most academics don’t value the process or art of writing enough. Academic writing, especially theory, can be beautiful & engaging!
One thing I sometimes recommend with students is to read your writing aloud. That’s pretty standard for poets, but not for academics. Reading aloud really helps me catch the sentences that are too long/awkward/unclear & the words I repeat to much.
Plus: reading aloud prepares you to be a better presenter of your work at conferences & such. I do a lot of talks these days (hit up @ccmntspeakers to invite me) & part of that comes from being an engaging speaker who performs my writing not just reads it aloud mechanically.
And part of my ability to perform comes directly from a great familiarity & comfort with my writing because I’ve read the words aloud so often. Try reading something you work on out loud and see what it reveals about the work!
