Thread by @raulpacheco

You saw me tweeting about writing groups. I am part of two (though lately I have not been able to show up to @prof_mirya 's on Fridays 2-5pm because I am drowning in work and Fridays are particularly bad for me).

Let me let you in on a few secrets about writing groups.

As I told my research methods students, writing is social.

Even doctoral-level writing.

Even AFTER the PhD.

We are social animals. @murray_rowena wrote THE book on writing groups here raulpacheco.org/2020/02/writin…

Don't let the competitive nature of grad school deter you.

I have made INCREDIBLE friends in my writing groups.

I have introduced childhood friends to my writing groups.

NOW, A FEW WORDS OF WARNING:

1) Communities develop through time and repeated contact. Don't expect to be ultra chummy with your writing buddies immediately.

2) Different writing groups are run in various ways. Not every writing group will fit your style or expectations. Try a few ones first before "committing".

3) Some people need the structure/support that a guided, facilitated (PAID) writing group gives them. THESE ARE GREAT.

Like with anything, if you want to have professional help you'll need to hire a professional. So if you feel like this would be a service that would help you, there are academic coaches all around who provide this facilitated writing group service (a couple: @llmunro @jovanevery)

I've previously mentioned the importance of academic coaches.

There are things that supervisory committees do not provide, and that's why you hire external help. @LeanneCPowner does that kind of consulting (particularly social sciences, political science especially).

4) Like with anything that is social, writing groups aren't just for you to "receive support". They're also there for you to GIVE support. The beauty of writing groups is that you get as much as you give. Generally speaking, they're very reciprocal (that's the basis for them).

Sometimes, institutions have the funding to bring someone in to start a writing group (for example, have someone teach a Master Class on Academic Writing and then the institution provides support to start a dairly, weekly, bi-weekly or monthly writing group). A great strategy.

If you want to hear from people who belong to writing groups, you can read the responses to my tweet.

One last point about writing groups: a lot of people you look up to may struggle with writing just as you do. This is an incredibly important element.

https://twitter.com/raulpacheco/status/1313219316767227907

I teach courses on academic writing and even *I* get writer's block.

I struggle with producing text.

I sometimes feel overwhelmed with wanting to Do All The Things.

I am human, after all.

This is the beauty of writing groups: you can be an academic who is also a human.