I bet there are so many other things you would rather be doing than writing.
If you’re reading this, then you probably have a manuscript or grant you should be working on…
Don’t worry. I am here to help!
Writing is hard, but it’s through the struggle of writing and re-writing that we discover what our results mean and how they apply to the world around us.
So keep reading for strategies that you can use to establish your own writing routine.
1. Step away from the screen
If you’re stuck reading the same sentence over and over again, try taking a break. It may seem counterintuitive, but breaks can actually increase your productivity and help get you out of a rut.
Go for a walk, preferably outdoors, to help clear your mind. Walking in nature has so many benefits—many of which can combat the frustrations of writer’s block. Walking boosts creativity, improves mood, lowers stress, and so much more. Plan ahead with seasonally appropriate attire so that you can take advantage of the benefits of walking year-round.
Go to a different place. No time to get outside for a walk? A change of scenery could be all you need to get back on track. Try finding a quiet place where you can hear yourself think.
2. Minimize distractions at your desk
If you have a stack of grants to review sitting on one corner of your desk, sticky notes surrounding your monitor, and 53 unread messages in your inbox, you’re not going to be 100% focused on the task of writing. To get into the flow state, where we are fully immersed in a task and at our most productive, we must first declutter our desk and digital spaces.
Turn off notifications. Each time our phone pings with a notification, it breaks our focus. It’s important to be mindful of the notifications that we allow during the workday. Many cellphones now have the ability to restrict notifications during certain hours of the day, while still allowing for calls and messages from emergency contacts. If you are often tempted to check your phone during the day, keep it out of sight (and out of mind). The Pomodoro Technique is an effective way to train yourself to write for uninterrupted periods of time (usually 25 minutes) with short breaks where you can catch up on email and text messages. I like using Pomodoro timers on YouTube.
Music or no music? There is evidence that listening to music impairs performance in complex tasks but enhances performance in simple tasks. If you enjoy music, feel free to listen guilt-free while writing your methods section or generating a table, but try turning it off while you write the Discussion. That said, it’s still unclear how music affects productivity and whether this varies from person-to-person. Just be conscious of how music affects your productivity during more thought-intensive tasks.
3. Fight the urge for perfection
Are you procrastinating out of fear that your writing will never be good enough? If you aim for perfection from the start, you’ll be quickly disappointed by your writing in the first draft and too overwhelmed to continue. Remember, even the best writers go through multiple rounds of revision. The best way to get through perfection paralysis is by engaging in low-stakes activities.
Have a brainstorming session and keep a bullet point list of any ideas that come to mind. Alternatively, try mind mapping, which can help you visualize how your ideas connect to one another.
Start with an outline. Outlines are great for organizing your thoughts, but have you ever used outlining as a way to trick yourself to write? Tell yourself that you’re *just* going to sit down and outline this manuscript. Keep adding to the outline and turn bullet points into complete sentences. Before long, you will have written paragraphs and whole sections!
Set a timer and write freely. Freewriting is similar to brainstorming, except that you write in complete sentences. Ignore the rules of grammar, spelling mistakes, and anything else that slows down the transfer of your ideas onto paper. This exercise is a helpful reminder that first drafts are imperfect. You can always revise, which is much easier than starting with a blank page.
Recognize when it’s good enough. Sometimes we keep making little edits that, in the grand scheme of things, don’t make a huge impact on our writing. Learn to recognize changes that make an impact (drawing more attention to the significance of the work, rewording language so it’s more accessible) and what doesn’t (inserting flowery language, adding excessive citations).
4. Seek out a sounding board
Science doesn’t happen in a vacuum—and neither should the process of scientific writing. You don’t have to do it all by yourself, nor should you.
Seek honest and constructive feedback from a colleague in order to get better at writing. When you’re thinking of who to ask, try to choose someone outside of your field; this will ensure that you aren’t writing for a too-narrow audience. Ask for feedback throughout the writing process and make it clear what exactly you want feedback on. Embrace feedback as an opportunity to improve. Compliments feel nice, but they won’t help make your writing the best it can be.
Join a writing group. Writing groups can serve different purposes. Some people use writing groups for accountability and a designated time for writing, while others are seeking a more interactive experience and sharing of feedback. If you would like to start your own writing group, check out this starter kit from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Work with an editor who can help you strategize your scientific communication. Getting feedback from your colleagues is great, but unfortunately most scientists have developed the same poor writing habits. If you really want to break these habits, consider working with a professional editor. Pipette & Quill is always happy to work with scientists to improve their writing.
5. Remember to practice
Like everything in life, becoming good at writing takes practice.
Writing should be part of a scientist’s daily routine—even if it’s painful at times. The struggle just means that we are learning and getting closer to that “Aha!” moment.
Thanks for reading!
Happy writing! If you’d like to know more about Pipette & Quill’s editing or other services, feel free to get in touch.
Want more quick quill tips? Follow Pipette & Quill on LinkedIn or fill out the form below to subscribe!
Pipette & Quill Scientific Writing 