Academic Writing Amplified

Welcome back to another segment of the podcast series about academic writing practices. In today's episode, I tackle a major challenge many academics face in their writing: breaking the binge and bust cycle. Many professors look forward to summer, winter, or semester breaks as an opportunity to catch up on all the publications they have put off during regular working hours. You think, "I'll get so...

Today, I am continuing the podcast series about writing practices in academia. In this episode, I'm digging into five things that you learned about academic writing that are wrong and what you can do to fix them.  These misconceptions—like believing you need to "binge and bust" your writing or that you must write every day—are often a result of how we're socialized in academia. I'll explain why th...

Are you blaming lack of time for your backlog of publications? In this segment of the podcast series on writing practices, I explain why your publishing problem isn't time. It's a lack of discernment. I discuss how academia breeds a scarcity mindset and why the pressure to do as much as possible hinders our ability to move projects through to publication. Instead of trying to work on every idea th...

Today's episode is part of the podcast series about writing practices and tips for establishing sustainable academic writing habits. In this segment, I explore a critical question: is your writing a core part of your career, or is it hanging out on the sidelines?  Listen to five key clues indicating your writing might not get the attention it deserves. For each one, I share why you might have gott...

Welcome to another segment of the podcast series about writing practices and establishing sustainable writing habits in academia. Today, I am discussing how to make and keep a writing date.  As a scholar, you juggle many responsibilities, and it can be challenging to say no when things come up that interfere with your writing date. We allow these "urgent" requests to overshadow the importance of y...

I am excited to introduce a new podcast series focused on writing practices. Throughout the series, I will share insights on redefining what writing means in academia, dispel myths about writing, and offer practical advice to help you cultivate a sustainable writing practice. In today's episode, I explore the true definition of writing. I share why I believe writing is more than just words on a pa...

I have worked with many academic women and nonbinary, and a recurring challenge about their writing is that no matter what habits or methods they try, their writing practice is never sustainable. The problem is that sustainable practices are a moving target. Writing habits you relied on during grad school no longer work as you juggle the demands of faculty life, including teaching, committee work,...

Today's episode is a re-release of episode 5 of the podcast.  Do you feel excited, happy, and encouraged when you think about writing? Or do you feel guilty, sad, and overwhelmed? Creating a good relationship with your writing doesn't happen by accident. The secret to writing and publishing more is turning your writing practice into a joyful and positive experience. As part of the Emotions and Wri...

Today's episode is a re-release of episode 13 of the podcast.  Listen in as I discuss how our jobs as professors are designed to pull us in different directions, making it hard to focus on one thing. Simultaneously working on multiple projects is the default nature of working in academia. When we struggle to manage competing priorities, we experience a perpetual cycle of guilt and overwhelm. In to...

Today's episode is a re-release of episode 12 of the podcast.  Listen in as I explore one of the most challenging emotional obstacles to academic writing: guilt.  Guilt is the biggest killer of writing productivity. When you feel guilty about something, all inspiration or motivation to complete that task evaporates. Who wants to spend time working on something that makes us feel bad? Academics, pa...

Today's episode is part of the Emotions and Writing podcast series. I delve into the topic of grief and its impact on academic work. This episode explores three key areas where grief can manifest in research and academic roles: Loss of Research: I examine how losing access to a research site or experiencing other research disruptions can profoundly affect academic writing. Institutional Loss: This...

Join me as I continue the conversation about emotions and writing! Today's episode focuses on something we all struggle with: motivation. There is a popular notion that creativity is sparked by a grand moment of inspiration. But that isn't really how academics or creative writers complete projects. I am refuting the idea that writing needs motivation and instead arguing that systems and processes...

Welcome to the second episode of the 'Emotions and Writing' podcast series. Today, we are tackling procrastination. Procrastination is usually associated with negative self-talk, like laziness or ineptitude. But the real reason behind it is emotional. I start the episode by discussing how academics think about procrastination and why that mindset backfires. Then, I share a framework to help you ge...

I am launching a new podcast series,' Emotions and Writing.' In this series, we will cover the most common emotions people struggle with when writing in their academic careers. After the strong response to our episode, ' You Can't Write When You're Mad ,' I was inspired to delve deeper into how emotions influence writing practice.   In today's episode, we discuss the significance of recognizing an...

On today's bonus episode I'm addressing a thought that might be keeping you from applying or enrolling in Navigate. Fear that you may fail at Navigate? Join me as I address this common fear.    We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®! Check out the program details and start your application process  here .   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Our 12-week Navigat...

The Navigate program takes about two hours per week over the course of 12 weeks: one hour to watch the recorded material and do the exercises, and one hour to attend the live call. Instead of investing in the program, should you just write for two more hours a week? Catch today's bonus episode to hear more about this.   We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roa...

You deserve to have the best career possible. If you are struggling with writing and a clogged pipeline, don't wait for it to get better.  In today's episode, I discuss why academics don't get professional development or writing help because they wait for circumstances to change. When you say, "I'll wait until it gets better," you are really saying, "I'll wait until it gets worse." The "it" is str...

Working closely with Navigate clients in both Round 1 and Round 2 of the program, breaking writing projects into tasks and estimating how long it will take to finish those tasks has been a consistent sticking point. And finally, a few months ago, I had an "ah-ha" breakthrough to address this sticking point. In today's bonus episode I explain the latest update to Navigate-which officially joins the...

In today's bonus episode I answer the most frequently asked questions about our Navigate program. I explain the structure, content, and benefits of Navigate, including the coaching sessions, writing support, and the application process. If you're considering joining, I'll guide you through what to expect and how to make the most of the program. Join me as I answer common questions and share insigh...

In this next segment of the co-authoring series, I address common thoughts and problems academics have when writing with students. Working with students is a learning process, a part of the professorship that no one teaches you how to do. The guidelines for co-authoring with students are the same as for co-authoring with colleagues. The main difference is the teaching and mentorship elements, whic...

If you're a long-time listener, you might be considering the Navigate program, but also wondering, "What else could you possibly have to teach me, Cathy?" In today's bonus episode I explain why Navigate is right for you even if you have heard every podcast episode.   We're receiving applications for our next cohort of Navigate: Your Writing Roadmap®! Check out the program details and start your ap...

In today's bonus podcast episode, hear Dr. Noor Sayed as she reflects on the connections she made during the Navigate program and how they helped her face some of the most difficult moments in her career so far. If you are looking for other academics who share your desire to publish your backlog of papers and to live a fulfilling life and career, Navigate is the program for you.   More about Noor:...

Today's episode is another segment in the co-authoring series. Many academics attribute a clogged pipeline to working on a project with a co-author. This episode is dedicated to discussing the potential obstacles of co-authoring with a colleague and how to avoid delays in publishing team projects. First, I will give an overview of the definition of a publication pipeline. Then, I dive into the rea...

Welcome to the new podcast series on co-authoring! Each week, I will tackle a new topic related to co-authoring so you can confidently navigate collaborations and avoid publication backlogs. Today's episode is the cornerstone of our series, Co-Authoring 101. I provide a 'co-author checklist' and detail essential steps you should take before writing with a co-author. I explain the importance of get...

Are you overwhelmed by your backlog of papers? Today's episode is a master class in clearing your pipeline. Most academics get trapped in a cycle of fear and blame that stalls their writing process and keeps them from creating the career they want. My master class on publishing your backlog of papers addresses the critical mindset shift you need to make to free up your pipeline. I also discuss the...