Life of E's

Is writing part of your job or is it something that you want to do more of, even though you're not 'required' to? Either way, could you use some tips to keep yourself moving along productivity in your writing? Here are five that have (and are) working for me. Write like you talk; if you [...]

Tags: compose, edit, feedback, ideas, Productivity, read, talk, tips, writing

As writers, we can hurt or help ourselves by what we say about ourselves 'as writers.' It's pretty much like anything else – state what you want to be true and avoid as much as possible stating what you DON'T want to be true. And, use others' perceptions and misperceptions of writers, as needed, to [...]

Tags: author, feedback, points, strategies, style, tips, writing

Is it better to work on only one writing project at a time – or is it better to have several different projects going on at the same time? And if you have more than one, will you ever finish any of them? And here is a question that I was recently asked, and could [...]

Tags: academic, grants, multiple articles, organization, Productivity, professor, writer, writing

If you want to write a "top ten" list to help people be more productive, just do the following: Title your set of tips, e.g., "Top Ten Productivity Tips to Help You _________." Write an introduction. Your introduction can be one sentence or a full paragraph. It's just a little introductory piece that prepares everyone [...]

Tags: blog post, closing, how to, Productivity, resource box, tips, writing

Is being a writer easy?  Even those who make a full time living as writers wouldn't say, "Yes," to that question.  If you could use some new tactics (or reminders of old ones) that will increase your writing productivity, take a look at these four. Go to your 'third place' where there is energy. I've heard [...]

Tags: creating, exchange, success, tactics, tipsenergy, tools, writing

Do you need solitude or solidarity when you write?  You might answer one way today and a different way some other time.  There is not one right answer.  It depends on you and it depends on your writing project.  Here are a four tactics to help you get your writing done – in a timely [...]

Tags: group, projects, strategies, tactics, tips, writer, writing

Sharing writing with others is scary. Admit it. It is. We worry that we will be judged. We will! And, of course, this is the idea. If you want to just write in a diary and never share it with anyone else, then stop reading this article now. If, however, you are a writer who [...]

Tags: criticism, critique, fear, feedback, input, productive writing, sharing your writing, writers group, writing

If you are a faculty member, you can expect that students will ask you to write letters of recommendation for them. It is a part of the overall responsibility of being a professor and it is an honor to be asked. However (and let's tell the truth), it can feel like a burden especially when [...]

Tags: academic, letter of recommendation, professor, student, writing

Do you ever worry about sharing your writing with others?   Trade papers. You remember hearing that phrase in school, don't you? "Alright children, trade papers." You knew you were going to be grading or reading someone else's paper and that child would be reading and grading yours. Find a partner who is also writing [...]

Tags: author, criticism, fear of feedback, hire someone to read your writing, productive writing, Productivity, putting self out there, sharing your writing, success, trade papers, trusted person, writing, writing tips

Writing is not a one-step process. It not only has many steps but the steps – really phases – are recursive. You start to compose and then you decide you need to do some additional research. Then you compose some more and decide you need to start "fixing" some of your writing, and then…well. You [...]

Tags: copy editing, editing, productive writing, read out loud, revising, writing, writing tips