2026 Session 1, Week 11

 

Welcome to week 11. We are nearly at the end of this short session. Sharing a photo of my husband's amaryllis. My mother gave it to him as a Christmas present maybe two years before he died, so perhaps seven years ago now, and it has flowered every year without fail, though I never quite know when it will. It's one of the things that bring me joy each year. 

Today's theme is hopefully joyful. Going back to Hattie Crisell's questions: what are the rewards for you of being a writer (or researcher or academic, if you prefer)? Crisell herself cites comfort, 'an illusion of control'; that writing is a 'lifelong project' which is difficult but brings the satisfaction of progress and finally, understanding and connecting with others. Many of her interviewees, however, are refreshingly honest about liking the recognition: the awards, the positive reviews, even the money.

So what are the rewards for you? Is it the satisfaction of writing itself? Is it getting away to a library or an archive or a field trip? Is it the reviews, or having 'an eager beaver student' to quote Susan, saying they've read your book, or want to do a PhD with you? 

Last week's goals:

Dame Eleanor

--1-2 hours research on each of 3 days
--prep for language groups
--book flight
--throw together two more sample syllabuses
--go to friend's lecture
--read for mystery group
--revise schedule if tomorrow's classes get cancelled
--enter some numbers on Blackboard
--try to stick to schedule I planned
--remember to look at calendar & lists every day

Daisy

Grant report
Grant application to offset budget cuts
Student Q+A session about all the horrible things
Undergrad chapters
One concert and a few rehearsals

JaneB

SELF-CARE: all process goals, for three term time months:
a) intentional movement 20x3 or 15x4
b) some kind of making (art or craft) x2
c) something gently social x2
d) read at least one chapter (of fiction) every day this week IMPROVING MY ENVIRONMENT:
a) 75% of weekly list of chores
b) make a sketch for the new idea for the shelving in living space
TEACHING AND ADMIN:
a) successfully rearrange stuff from Tuesday and get through Thursday's long day
b) work through discussion of the new administrative role
RESEARCH.
a) continue to progress modelling work
b) spend an hour on the revision for the revise and resubmit paper plus organise/lead meeting
c) start working on lots-of-pages grant review (sigh. necessary, but oh, a dispiriting prospect)

Susan

1. Harmonize grades and release them
2. Update syllabus to change assignments to counter AI (oral presentations, here we come)
3. Write up assignment and revise because the library no longer has two resources the assignment used.
4. Enjoy meeting my editor and others, seeing family and friends.
5. Keep up with email so I'm not drowning when I come back.

Heu mihi

(carried over from previous week)

1. Finish mini-talk #1 (revised and everything)
2. Write 3 pages of nonsense, bringing me to a total of 5
3. Write academically or creatively x 5
4. Deal with various journal-related issues
5. Plan summer travel!
6. Italian and exercise.

Julie

1. Research and writing: organise material for Big Article, one day on review article, write one, maybe two sections on chapter.
2. Book travel for conference and seminar next month.
3. House/life admin: sort out accommodation for part of summer trip (booked the wrong dates, now have to find somewhere else), finances, put dates in calendar and plan other stuff, orthodontist appointment for son, book a haircut.
4. Self-care/fun: exercise, read, journal, maybe plant some stuff if weather ok.