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Overcoming Writer’s Block

Peter S. Cahn Director of Faculty Development and Diversity, Department of Medicine pcahn@bu.edu 617-414-1508. Overcoming Writer’s Block. Learning objectives. Identify common causes of writer’s block Apply strategies to overcome procrastination Establish a regular writing routine.

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Overcoming Writer’s Block

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  1. Peter S. Cahn Director of Faculty Development and Diversity, Department of Medicine pcahn@bu.edu 617-414-1508 Overcoming Writer’s Block

  2. Learning objectives • Identify common causes of writer’s block • Apply strategies to overcome procrastination • Establish a regular writing routine

  3. History of writers’ block • Not a psychological condition • Didn’t appear until the 19th century with Romantic poets • Writing no longer in artist’s control but “the product of some invisible influence, like an inconstant wind.”

  4. Procrastination • Entered English in 16th century • Willingly deferring something even though you expect the delay to make you worse off • Why do we go against our own best interests?

  5. $100 April 7 $110 April 8 $100 today $110 tomorrow Thinking about the Future

  6. The divided self • All present at once, competing • Procrastination is bargaining gone wrong • Not something you can beat by trying harder. Selves will always be there.

  7. Extended Will • Ulysses strapped to the mast of the ship • Victor Hugo had his valet hide his clothes • Isabel Allende starts a novel every January 8 • Annie Lamott keeps an empty picture frame on her desk

  8. What’s stopping you? • Temporary mental blank • Getting started • Too many interruptions, distractions • Amount of data overwhelming • Lost interest in topic • Lack of confidence in writing skills

  9. Temporary • Take an exercise break • Work on bibliography, formatting • Laugh at the process • Draw a comic strip version, cut into pieces and tape on the wall • Write why you’re stuck • Dress up

  10. Getting started • Cover the blank screen • End mid-thought • Free write • Set a realistic goal • How many pages? • I argue that… • Write a letter to your mother

  11. Too many distractions • Make writing the first thing you do • Write for 45 minutes, rest for 15 • Break the task down into component parts • Internet freedom

  12. http://macfreedom.com

  13. Too much data • Tell a story • Organizational scheme: • ABDCE • Chronological • Case studies • Types • Previous theories, why wrong, new way of thinking • Reduce variables • Look for the paradox

  14. Lost interest • Go to proposal • Look at early article that excited you • Give a guest lecture on the topic • E-mail some of the authors you build on • Present at a conference

  15. Lack confidence • Join a writing group • Look at finished products • Play the “So what?” game • Start at part that’s easiest • Keep a writing log—note the successes • Write a letter in response to criticisms

  16. Maintaining momentum • Write everyday • Keep a notebook • Write at time when most productive • Zotero, RefWorks • Celebrate successes • Don’t take criticism too personally

  17. "If you wait for clouds to part and be struck with a bolt of lightning, you're likely to be waiting the rest of your life. But if you simply get going something will occur to you."

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