Introducing Online Shut up and write sessions
This post from the Library Student Team introduces online Shut Up and Write sessions, how they work, and how they can help you find some dedicated writing time
Contents
- Introduction
- What happens during a Shut Up and Write session?
- How will attending a SUAW session help me?
- Don’t believe us? Here’s what other PGRs have to say
- How can I sign up?
- Further support
Are you finding it a struggle to make progress on your writing while working from home?
Do you wish you could fend off distractions and focus on your research?
Perhaps you’ve already made your tenth trip to your fridge and it’s barely even midday yet…
If you can relate to any of this, you’ll be happy to know that we’re now running our popular Shut Up and Write (SUAW) sessions online!
SUAW is a focused writing session where researchers come together for a fixed amount of time to write. The aim isn’t to put pressure on you to be productive, but rather to help you carve out some dedicated time to write and to have the chance to connect with other researchers (albeit virtually!).
It’s a great way to make progress on your thesis chapters, journal articles, or grant applications.
What happens during a Shut Up and Write session?
Our Shut Up and Write Sessions run over two hours, structured with intervals for writing and breaks. To help writers maintain focus, a modified version of the Pomodoro time management technique is used.
After a brief introduction to the session, attendees write quietly for 30-minute intervals, separated by 10-minute breaks.
Initially, all attendees will have their audio muted to allow the facilitators to introduce the session, however during the breaks you’ll have the opportunity to join ‘breakout rooms’ to chat with other attendees about your writing process, or anything else you feel like sharing.
You can choose whether you’d like to share video or not, and if you don’t feel like socialising, you’re free to stretch your legs or make a cup of tea during the breaks!
After the writing intervals, the facilitator will briefly wrap up the session.
How will attending a SUAW session help me?
Structuring your writing time using the Pomodoro technique reduces the impact of interruptions on your writing flow — if you struggle with getting distracted, scheduled breaks help you to maintain focus. If you’re somebody that gets stuck into their writing and gets burnt out by expending all of your writing energy in one go, the Pomodoro technique can help you to work in a way that’s more sustainable across a working day.
If you’re concerned about time management or feeling overwhelmed, attending a SUAW session can relieve some pressure — the writing intervals and breaks are already chosen for you! By working on one piece of writing over several intervals, you can focus on getting something done, and the breaks can help avoid frustration.
Also, research can feel isolating at times, so joining a Shut Up and Write session offers you the opportunity to connect with other researchers and writers.
If you’re still not sure if joining a Shut Up and Write session will help you, keep reading to find some postgraduate researchers’ reflections on their experiences with online SUAW sessions. If you’re already convinced, skip to ‘How can I sign up?’ below to register!
Don’t believe us? Here’s what other PGRs have to say
Olivia’s experience
‘I’ve found it a real struggle maintaining my productivity above even zero since we had to start working from home, but the first online SUAW session was very helpful… when the physical boundaries between work and home have become so blurred, this session provided a concrete length of time which I could effectively ring-fence for a particular purpose.
‘It was almost like studying in the library with this almost subconscious pressure I felt from the mere presence of others (even if only through a screen!), which compelled me to be more productive! It was also nice to see some familiar faces and more importantly, to be able to relate to some experiences and common difficulties which other people shared. This helped me to view my productivity struggles in a different light and with a bit more self-compassion.’
Daniel’s experience
‘The online SUAW sessions are a really great way to keep focused and stay motivated in getting some decent work done. This is particularly because you are working among other colleagues and peers and feel that sense of support.
‘The SUAW sessions have been useful to me. I have met and interacted with people out of my field, made some new friends along the way while getting a decent amount of work done. It would be nice to see the online version running frequently especially now that many people are staying at home where the motivation to do any work may not be high. I will definitely be attending more in the future.’
Fatimah’s experience
‘Motivation and self-discipline are some of the key challenges that young researchers face. The SUAW session attempts to solve both by utilising tools which are already within our grasps. While having a laptop or desktop computer may be desirable, this is only so you can use these to type your work. If you are the type who writes by hand, you can join these sessions with your mobile phone, and you don’t even have to join with video.
‘I attended some of these sessions at the AGLC before the COVID-19 pandemic and was concerned that I might not be able to access this support during this period. I needed to make the best use of the resources I could access, and this requires motivation and dedication which I currently lack. I attended one of the online SUAW sessions and have signed up for another one. Aside from making progress in my writing, there are other perks to the online session. Key amongst these is reduced preparation time, as I did not have to leave my house and get on the bus. Also, I could chat in breakout rooms and hear about the interesting wide range of projects that others are working on. This does two things for me. First, it brings me into contact with other researchers who continue to make the best of the lock-down period. This motivates me to maintain a focus on my own research. Second, I learnt from other researchers the writing strategies that have worked for them and the limitations to other strategies that they have tried.
My key takeaway from the session is that other researchers are making the best use of this period and this is the group I intend to be a part of.’
How can I sign up?
Unlike previous SUAW sessions held on campus, it is essential to book in advance for our online SUAW sessions. This is to allow the Zoom link for the workshop to be sent out a day before it is due to take place.
Please register here: Shut Up and Write online session registration
On the day, you’ll need:
- A piece of writing to focus on
2. Zoom video conferencing software on your laptop or device to let you join the session
3. A cup of tea or coffee, and biscuits for the break (optional!)
We hope to see you there!
Further support
Check out the My Research Essentials webpage to find more online resources tailored for researchers.
We’ve also got a set of resources introducing new writing strategies, so why not have a look and try one out in SUAW? Click the links below to explore.
- Venting
- Writing buddies
- Sensory snapshots
- Prompting questions and writing skeletons
- Freewriting
- Handwriting to typing
Written by the Library Student Team
