Highly Recommended: Writers Retreats

The past four days, I have been sitting and writing furiously at a writers retreat hosted by Mitch Reyes at Lewis and Clark College, Portland, Oregon. I have yearned to participate in a writing retreat for the entire time that I have been on the faculty end of my academic career. I am so glad my yearning became a reality, finally.

So I am taking a break this fourth day of retreat to encourage you to consider a writing retreat in your near future. Whether you take a retreat by yourself, or join a group as I did, it is definitely worthwhile. In fact, my roommate and I have covenanted to find one day a month as a 'writing retreat' day, where we can spend all day working on a project.

Here are the benefits of the writers/writing retreat, as I am experiencing them:

a. Having several others (in my case, 23 others) all focused on writing is the best social pressure to get your own writing juices flowing.

b. Sometimes when you have a large project, having a focused writing time is the best way to get it off the ground, make good progress, and therefore feel encouraged to trudge on towards completion.

c. It provides you with accountability during the retreat, and if you design it intentionally, continued accountability afterwards. You can have one or two writing partners with whom you communicate your writing goals and your completion rates as frequently as you agree upon.

d. Most of us have so much else going on in our lives that though we want to, developing a daily writing habit and sustaining it is difficult. I believe it is easier to develop said habit after a writing retreat, because your juices are flowing and you are more motivated to keep it up.

e. The organized writing retreats include sessions aimed at discussing writing tips and raising questions. The shared wisdom is priceless. Finding out that you are not the only one who struggles with various writing issues helps to come up with solutions that have worked for others.

When all is said and done, I am enjoying this writers retreat because it is also perhaps the first time in many years I have done something that is purely just for me - I do not need to prove anything to anyone, I do not need to engage in impression management (which, whether I am conscious of it or not, always takes place in academic conferences), I can focus on just spending time with myself. Already, I feel refreshed and renewed, ready to tackle whatever lies ahead in the coming academic year.

I therefore highly recommend writers retreats. The communitas, camaraderie, support, and buzz will keep you energized long after the retreat concludes.

Celebrating Successful Defense...and Getting Yourself There

I haven't posted here for almost a month because I have been extremely busy trying to meet deadlines. Two of my doctoral students needed to complete their dissertations and defend by March 30th, to be able to graduate in May 2012. They both did. Congratulations to Keith Keppley, PhD, and Terrina Henderson-Brooks, PhD! Keith's journey was just under 4 years; Terrina's was just under 5.

So tonight I celebrate Keith and Terrina, who have kept me very busy throughout the month of March. And David Wolf, PhD who preceded them by defending in January. Three doctoral students are now doctors. The journey does come to an end. It may take 4 years, or 5, or 6...but eventually, it does come to an end. Then maybe, you enter into the domain of life-long learner. And 'holder of the discipline'.

So how do you get to this place of celebrating a successful defense?

I have learned a few lessons from directing these three students, and many others who are in the pipeline.

1. Create a plan, then work that plan. 
2.  Avoid taking a new job before you complete your dissertation. Many have been derailed by taking new jobs...Off course if you do have to take a job, then go back to 1 - create a plan, then work that plan. Some institutions (for those who look to enter academia) will hire you as ABD. However, it is contingent on you defending your dissertation within a given timeline, failure to do so would result in either being fired or demoted. For those who are already working (thus doing doctoral studies part-time) taking on a new job or added responsibility has the same potential to derail your progress. So if you do take that new job, or those added responsibilities, be sure to count the cost.
3. If you can, it is advisable that you keep more or less the same pace as you did during coursework. Maintaining the same pace has the potential to help you get to completion sooner. Deciding that coursework is over so now you can relax...that can derail you. 
4. Talk to those who had a timely completion. Learn from their example. They can tell you which strategies to employ and which pitfalls to avoid.
5. Ensure you have social support and accountability, people who will encourage you and keep tabs on your progress. Per my "it takes a village" post, you need others in your life to help you achieve timely completion. Folks who are willing to copy edit your documents, folks who are willing to help with child or elder care...etc. 
6. Finally, create a plan, then work that plan. Yes, I am repeating myself. Its THAT important. 

All the best! And as always, be sure to engage by commenting or asking questions.