On the benefits of online writing groups

My life changed right about March of 2020. Well, yes, there’s that pesky thing called a lethal global pandemic, SARS-CoV2, that also changed the lives of absolutely everyone on this planet.

But I also feel changed through the work I have been doing with two amazing writing groups: one led by Dr. Amanda Bittner (Memorial University of Newfoundland) and the other one organized and shepherded by Dr. Mirya Holman (Tulane University).

Around when we got into a global lockdown, Amanda and Mirya (both good friends of mine) decided to organize online writing groups. I had heard of them, but I never thought of joining one because well, I already had my writing schedule prepared.

BUT THIS THOUGHT OF MINE CHANGED THIS SPRING, AND I AM EVER SO GRATEFUL TO MIRYA AND AMANDA FOR THIS.

I already had a writing practice of my own, waking up at 4 in the morning and writing from 4:30 to 6:30 Monday through Friday, as my schedule shows. However, joining Amanda’s and Mirya’s online writing groups really has boosted my writing capabilities and improved my ability to focus and concentrate in my research, even during a semester where I taught FOUR courses (how did I survive THAT is material for ANOTHER blog post).

It’s not only the actual writing commitment, the daily declaration of goals and check-ins. It’s the care, love and mutual respect, it’s the constant motivation and positivity. It’s the accountability. It’s the community-building aspect.

I love my writing groups, I really do.

I’m not the only one, though. I recently asked this question on Twitter.

I am currently teaching Research Methods in a way that includes academic writing.

If you belong to a writing group, please respond to this tweet with one sentence on what you get out of these writing groups.

Thanks! Please RT.

— Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) October 5, 2020

I absolutely loved the responses. A sampler:

Provides me with a three hour chunk once a week to write uninterrupted, and also creates community with other faculty at my institution who I would otherwise not meet.

— Sarah BauerleDanzman (@sarahbauerle) October 5, 2020

page to cheer each other on. I set up spots for qualitative/quantitative/mixed then put in lit review channels, goals, tips and tricks, defense dates, etc.

Excite to know I’m not alone in the ether!

— Kathy Godwin (@kathy_godwin) October 5, 2020

And obviously, I also adored Dr. Louise Seamster’s response in an article, as well as Dr. Nicole Janz’s post.

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