In just under a month I'm running a workshop for our doctoral students on unsticking their writing process, and whenever I do one of these I like to share a wide range of tips (with or without attribution, as the tipster prefers). So: what is your most effective and/or unhinged writing advice?
Work out whether you write better at a certain time in the day and keep that time available. I write best late in the evening, but I know others who do their best work soon after waking.
Try and work out the extent to which you write to think or think to write. Some people tend to need their thoughts in order before they start typing, others (me included) need to know a certain amount, but find out more about what they think through the process of getting words down.
Jan 20, 2026 21:52People who write to think should write early and often (but should also focus on good editing); people who think to write should try and avoid being made paranoid by others seeming to be ahead, and allow the time for working up ideas through reading and planning.
