2022 Second Session, Week 3

So far we've thought about what kinds of writing we have ahead of us, both required and desired, and about what makes for a good writing experience.  Now let's take some time to reflect on the journey that got us to this point in our writing lives - this week, we can talk about how we were taught about writing - did you have a wonderful elementary teacher at school who made you believe you could write?  Did learning to pass exams and the pressure to achieve As cramp your natural writing style in high school, or did it help you develop the discipline you rely on today?  Did you take a transformative college class at some point?  or was it the refining fire of the PhD which forged your writerly tool kit? (in later weeks, we can explore what that tool kit is in a bit more detail - for now, we're still sitting on our rock or comfy bench or lounging in our hammock reflecting and remembering...)

As ever, do feel free to drop in the conversation whether you're setting goals this session or not - we'd love to hear from you!

GOALS FROM LAST WEEK (and hopefully all birthday-celebrators had or are planning a lot of treats):

Daisy

1. Do analytical stuff for last samples and send away
2. Do figures for old paper
3. Think about new paper and write any one section, short is ok
4. Pack up office or parts of office
5. Finish editorial for association journal
6. Dinner with another departing colleague

Dame Eleanor Hull 

1. 4 days work on conference paper
2. 4 days work on spring undergrad class
3. get new phone
4. 4 days weeding or other garden tasks
5. move stuff back into guest room OR tidy my study

Elizabeth Anne Mitchell

1. Finish two end of the year reports–one on what a productive faculty member I am (which I hate writing), and update on statistics, which is more Excel than me, thankfully;
2. Mail the darn thank-you notes;
3. Take the to-be-shredded files to the local shredding day event.

heu mihi

1. Return to chapter 1: What was I doing again?
2. House stuff: Deal with plumbing issue (i.e. wait for the plumber), Goodwill trip, technology recycling
3. Read at least 1/2 of research book
4. Write letter of recommendation for former student
5. Have a nice time outside now and again

JaneB

1. work no more than 10 hours
2. make some lists for smaller things that fit under the areas of personal replenishment, reducing next year's pressures and fun/creative stuff.
3. replenishment: back to basics. Eating plenty of fruit and veg, drinking enough water, a small exercise habit (10 minutes a day of deliberate exercise), a small chore habit (5 minutes of picking up or one of the recurring chores like a load of laundry each day)
4. pressure reduction: writing out my rough week-by-week for next year (I have to do this to put the workload data for my modules in to the teaching tsar, since we team teach everything so loads are messy and complex...). Send two emails for the Teaching Project which are preying on my mind. And I think that's plenty!
5. fun/creative: write a letter to a friend/read for an hour at least 3 days/do at least two crochet stripes on the "desert colours" blanket project/play D&D or write another job board game.

2022 Second Session, Week 2

I'll follow JaneB's prompt from last week with another one about your relationship to writing: what encourages you to write, or helps you to find pleasure in it? This might be physical (the right pen, a large monitor, a comfortable chair or sunny room), relational (an audience, company in the room, or solitude), or psychological/emotional (a recent acceptance, an intriguing problem or character). Or something else I haven't thought of, or a combination! Perhaps you'd like to think about a time when you wrote happily and fluidly, and what circumstances allowed that.

So far, we're a small group this time. We might still have some readers or former participants who would like to join us: please do! Or just stop by once in awhile to let us know how you are, even if the organization of weekly check-ins doesn't fit your needs at this time.

Last week's goals:

Daisy
Finish association reports
Open old paper to see what is needed, pick something and do it
Research accounting
Set up awkward meeting with current admin about moving my research money
Pack up something substantial in house

Dame Eleanor Hull
- 3 days work on conference paper
- 3 days work on spring grad class
- find out what documents I need for new driver's license
- finish weeding veg patch and plant veg/herbs
- move stuff back into guest room

Elizabeth Anne Mitchell
Create 20,000-foot plan for the session;
Write and mail long-overdue thank you notes;
Plan conference and remaining medical trips for the next month;
Outline my nascent blog post ideas.

heu mihi
1) Plan WH intro revisions.
2) Touch up paint in basement bedroom.
3) Finish two books that I'm almost finished with.
4) Finish stacking wood.
5) Clean upstairs windows.

JaneB
1) work no more than 10 hours
2) do something fun each day of the long Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend
3) make some lists for smaller things that fit under goals 1, 2 and 4 to pick from in future weeks.

Let us know how you did, set your new goals, and respond to the prompt if/as you feel inspired. I look forward to our conversation in the comments.

2022 Second Session, Week One

Welcome back everyone to our goal-setting week!

This session runs until mid-August, which makes it a 12 week session (mid-point = 2-3 July, last goal setting post = 13-14th August, wrap-up session = 20-21 August) - useful to keep in mind whilst setting goals.

Last session we created a dream cabin to retreat to.  After the last couple of years, I think we all really need those cabins or other mental spaces!  Reading over last week's comments, I felt there was a common thread around self-kindness and refinding ourselves and our directions, in our academic and/or personal lives, whether that is building a garden, readjusting from crisis mode to something more sustainable, or re-evaluating our personal research landscape and journey.  That led me to conclude that this session is not the right time for exploring landscapes or going on journeys, and that focusing on gentle, thoughtful preparation for the semesters and years ahead - so let's get back to basics and think about the supplies we need for thinking and writing, whether that's physical supplies, inspirational touchstones, or valued advice.  

For this week's prompt, if you choose to respond. let's start off high-level.  What sort of writing are we collecting supplies to tackle in the next few semesters, and how are we currently getting on with our writing, professionally, personally or both?  Is your relationship with writing an easy partnership, like picking up a well-practised instrument, or like luring a shy and potentially bitey creature, digging around a dusty attic for something you're sure you used to have, or towing a stubborn toddler up a steep and rocky hill?

As Dame Eleanor explained last week: The format will be the same as ever. Goals can be in any aspect of life although the key focus is often research and writing tasks that are personally and professionally important but that never quite tip over into important AND urgent. Urgent things sometimes find their way in here too, which is completely okay, and process goals are also most welcome. Each week we'll try to have a discussion topic or prompt to write about if you feel so inclined. We’ll remind everyone of their big session goals about midway through the session.

Anyone new or old is welcome to join. It would be great if you invited a friend or acquaintance or colleague to join in. We would be thrilled to welcome new guests and expand our circle. So if you've been following along silently and wondering about joining in, please do!

And finally, don't worry if you miss a few check-ins. Life happens. This is a supportive, generous space with no intimidation factor so enjoy it!

2022 Session Two, Week Zero

We're in the fifth month of 2022, whatever season it is (even in the northern hemisphere, not all of us are in places where it's quite summer), and about to start another session of TLQ. Your hosts will be Dame Eleanor Hull and JaneB. I'm going to propose that this be "week zero," when we introduce ourselves and start thinking about session goals. The thinking can be gentle and fuzzy this week: perhaps you want to list All The Things and then cut them down to a more manageable group next week, or on the other hand, think of a couple of goals now and add to them later. 

I'm going to suggest that this session run to mid-August: that is, that the weekend of 13-14 August be the last goal-setting post of the season, followed by reports of how we did for the whole session on 20-21 August. That would make the midpoint the weekend of 2-3 July.

And now for the shameless borrowing from previous sessions/hosts/writers:

The format will be the same as ever. Goals can be in any aspect of life although the key focus is often writing tasks that are personally and professionally important but that never quite tip over into important AND urgent. Urgent things sometimes find their way in here too, which is completely okay, and process goals are also most welcome. Each week we'll try to have a discussion topic or prompt to write about if you feel so inclined. We’ll remind everyone of their big session goals about midway through the session.

Anyone new or old is welcome to join. It would be great if you invited a friend or acquaintance or colleague to join in. We would be thrilled to welcome new guests and expand our circle. So if you've been following along silently and wondering about joining in, please do!

And finally, don't worry if you miss a few check-ins. Life happens. This is a supportive, generous space with no intimidation factor so enjoy it!

Intersession check-in

If anyone wants a place to check in, or chat, before the next session starts, here you go! Imagine you're sitting on the deck or in the garden of one of our retreats created in the last session, with a mug or glass of your beverage of choice. The air is exactly the right temperature for your comfort, the view is soothing, and the companionship is congenial, gently stimulating, never draining. Thanks to Daisy for helping us imagine our ideal writing house!

Final Week: Ch-ch-ch-changes, reflections and wrap-ups

 Hello everyone!

This is it! The final week of our session is here, and we get to look back and reflect, and perhaps look forwards a little bit as well. So this week we can check in with our last batch of weekly goals, and with our adjusted session goals. For fun, tell us what you are most proud of for this session, or what you enjoyed the most, or what you were surprised by (or all three!). We can also think ahead to any changes coming our way in the next few months, the change-over from one session to the next always makes me want to look ahead a little…

And, if you feel so inclined, add whether you would like a new session for summer, when it could be, and whether you’d be a potential host…

Thank you for all the great posts and interactions, it has been great fun to watch fantastic cabins take shape and to chat about all kinds of interesting things along the way. We’ve collectively accomplished quite a bit and weathered a few storms, and I’m grateful for the lovely company along the way!

One last bonus point competition for checking in – what special cocktail or drink are you planning for you first night in your fantasy cabin? Or special dessert or treat? Extra bonus if they are one and the same...

Last week’s goals

Daisy

Continuing conference wrangling – it is 3 weeks away and coming fast!

Student thesis edits

Paper edits

Start writing 3 conference talks and one plenary address

Go back in time to slap former self about signing up for three conference talks

 

Dame Eleanor Hull

Health: cardio x6, stretch x6, track bedtime.
Research: 2 hours a day! Make progress on book: say, finish the frelling section I've been on for much too long, and start the next one.
Teaching: grade one new assignment and any stray stuff that comes in late. Order fall books.
Life stuff: do some gardening, bake something, mail a package.
Admin: fill in & file some forms.

Elizabeth Anne Mitchell (carried over)

Really start on the faculty report.
Continue recycling paper copies of articles.
Brainstorm two article ideas.
Change the conflicting doctor appointment.

heu mihi

1) Read and prepare to discuss two papers for a works-in-progress thing on Thursday.
2) Closely read reviewer notes on edited collection so that co-editor and I can discuss them and send them out to contributors ASAP.
3) Start "writing" ch. 1. ("Writing" must be in quotes there, because really. I am not ready to write, only to "write.")
4) Shorten Kzoo paper--this will probably wait till next week, but who knows.
5) Stretch nightly before bed.

Humming42

1 finish and submit book reviews: in progress
2 draft cfp for slash collection: in progress
3 organize judges for conference: done.
4 submit abstract for one-day conference: in progress

JaneB (carried over)

1) contact GP
2) prepare for week 11
3) make a list of the marking I have to do and see what might need delaying
4) other lists. Just make the lists.
5) move, eat reasonably, drink water, try to sleep at 'appropriate' times

Karen

1. Write 2 x NTRO pieces
2. Do 2 yoga classes
3. Block out marking time over the next week
4. keep VILE up to date, and make a start on next semester's VILE.

Susan (carried over)

1. Finish this chapter (doable) before trip to Library
2. Keep reading ms.
3. Do fun thing
4. Go to all the meetings
5. Keep up with exercise & good eating
6. Set up Mom's new computer (hangs over me . . .anxiety.)

 

ADJUSTED SESSION GOALS

Daisy

Stretch goal: Finish my Albatross paper! This has been an ongoing goal for ages but the paper keeps changing and is constantly being shoved aside for more urgent things.
Analysis and paper on fun Local Project
Make progress on Small Book Project (delayed from old grant)
Get fancy new grant project started off well
Support students through thesis proposal and writing stages

Dame Eleanor Hull

Stay healthy, sleep a lot.

Grade efficiently.

Finish WH chapter, work on FC chapter, work on introduction, write prospectus.

Write conference paper for April.
Do fun stuff!

Elizabeth Anne Mitchell

Connection

Gratitude

Self-care

heu mihi

1) Things that will happen, because they must:
a) Invited essay due in February
b) Kalamazoo paper due in early May
c) Stay on top of new graduate seminar
2) Research and write a series of vignettes. Make steady progress; work on this weekly.
3) Establish a good early-morning routine, with full awareness that this will change once it gets light enough to run in the mornings, and/or that it may not be identical every morning of the week. Build in flexibility, in other words.
4) Stretch and write in my journal at least every other night.
5) Keep the step-counter in perspective. It serves me; I do not serve it.
6) Sabbatical prep: Rent an apartment in France; rent out our house; apply for visas; enroll Bonaventure in school or, if that's not possible, create a concrete plan for doing so.

Humming42

1 write Boredom chapter
2 write Food chapter
3 write Roma conference presentation
4 organize all the Tiny Project drafts
5 submit DQ proposal

JaneB

1) Survival-with-kindness in teaching

2) self-care - the big thing to deal with here is putting time for things I enjoy ahead of spending time on not-100%-essential-things for work (reusing some of last years recordings, not always fixing the auto-captions...)
3) be ready for Teaching Toolkit and Society Course by the end of this block

4) work steadily on Why and Annoying Chapter, & resist the urge to feel too responsible for any delays

Karen

1. Submit co-authored KL article

2. Have VILE (also love and am adopting that misread acronym) ready for sem 2 unit

3. Have all marking for sem 1 turned around in two weeks
4. Have winter garden planted and cared for

5. Finish one making project per month

Susan

1. Finish first draft of famous author, begin revisions
2. Start drafting essay for June conference related to Persistence
3. Keep up with teaching, don't get overwhelmed.
4. Do stuff for professional organization
5. Do garden stuff so I can plant new tree
6. Spend time with my mother
7. Spend time with friends
8. Read for fun

Week 16: Last goal setting week for the session!

 Hello everyone!

I absolutely loved all the wonderful advice you wrote down last week! Some of those things really resonated with a lot of us, it was fun to read and contemplate, thank you! It makes me want to repeat the prompt, but this time with “worst advice you ever got”, or if that just makes you mad, your favourite saying or aphorism… Just for fun!

Many moons ago we decided that the week of May 1^st would be the wrap-up week, so this is our last chance for some weekly goals in this session. That of course means that next week will be the time for checking in with our session goals. It also means looking ahead a bit at when the next session might start, so feel free to think about it and make suggestions!

For cabin check-in this week – what is your favourite feature of the cabin? And what are you planning to do for your first weekend at your cabin? It is ready, it is waiting, and you can go any time!

Last week’s goals

Daisy

Paper edits of course
Have awkward conversations with friends and colleagues
Accounting
Digital spring cleaning
Continue spring cleaning

Dame Eleanor Hull

Health: cardio x6, stretch x6, track bedtime.
Research: 2 hours a day! Finish & turn in sabbatical proposal. Make progress on book.
Teaching: grade two new assignments and give points to async-week stuff.
Life stuff: do some gardening, bake something, mail a package.

Elizabeth Anne Mitchell

Really start on the faculty report.
Continue recycling paper copies of articles.
Brainstorm two article ideas.
Change the conflicting doctor appointment.

heu mihi

1) Catch up on other two journal articles. Now getting urgent.
2) Outline ch. 1
3) OMG so many things.
4) My kid is on spring break right now, which just makes it more complicated. Also, all of a sudden we have a social life, to which I'm entirely unaccustomed.
5) Revise Kalamazoo paper to something like an acceptable conference length.
6) My own article proofs.

Humming42

1 finish and submit book reviews
2 draft cfp for slash collection
3 organize judges for conference
4 submit abstract for one-day conference

JaneB

1) contact GP
2) prepare for week 11
3) make a list of the marking I have to do and see what might need delaying
4) other lists. Just make the lists.
5) move, eat reasonably, drink water, try to sleep at 'appropriate' times

Karen (carried over)

1. Fill remaining VILE content gaps for next week before the weekend, keep boards under control
2. Make a plan for upcoming school holidays
3. Finish postgrad exegesis feedback
4. 2 hours of my writing

Susan (carried over)

1. Finish this chapter (doable) before trip to Library
2. Keep reading ms.
3. Do fun thing
4. Go to all the meetings
5. Keep up with exercise & good eating
6. Set up Mom's new computer (hangs over me . . .anxiety.)