Show up and write
We have used the collaborative possibilities of the shut up and write sessions for almost two years. The Thesis Whisperer shares her experiences with it: https://thesiswhisperer.com/2011/06/14/shut-up-and-write/ and provides some good rules and recommendations as to how to set up such a session anywhere: https://thesiswhisperer.com/shut-up-and-write/
We have had one in Malmö for quite some time - Friday mornings are for coming and writing. We have been online, mostly, but also experimented with on-site, sharing rooms and snacks. But I have been a bit uneasy with the relatively aggressive tone of the Shut up. So, in Malmö, we instead use Show up and write. To make it more of an invitation. But also an invitation to show up to your own writing. I have struggled this year with making space to write, but the show up sessions have been my saviours. I have written and submitted applications; there is a journal article needing its last pre-submission polish; e-mails, reviews, abstracts and drafts have been crafted in the collaborative space.
We use Pomodoro - the 25-minute + 5-7-minute break technique. We urge each other to move around, get water, coffee, and snacks, and admonish gently if the other person is reluctant to raise from behind their computer. As it works! The breaks work. The other person(s) on Zoom offers comfort and company. Put your head down and do some writing, it works.
I love the way in which showing up to each other can create silent companionship, togetherness and closeness to what sometimes feels like quite a lonely academic world. I am still struggling with my place and space in it, but during those sessions, I know that I belong. I belong with these people who show up and write and share their space and silent support with each other. So, I urge you, dear reader, to find your people and test it out - will show up and write create a similar companionable experience for you?
We use Pomodoro - the 25-minute + 5-7-minute break technique. We urge each other to move around, get water, coffee, and snacks, and admonish gently if the other person is reluctant to raise from behind their computer. As it works! The breaks work. The other person(s) on Zoom offers comfort and company. Put your head down and do some writing, it works.
I love the way in which showing up to each other can create silent companionship, togetherness and closeness to what sometimes feels like quite a lonely academic world. I am still struggling with my place and space in it, but during those sessions, I know that I belong. I belong with these people who show up and write and share their space and silent support with each other. So, I urge you, dear reader, to find your people and test it out - will show up and write create a similar companionable experience for you?
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