how to write a lot

Jenny Richmond PhD

2026-08-28

these slides live online

https://jennyslides.netlify.app/how-to-write/

about me

https://calendly.com/jennyrichmond/30min

what makes writing hard?

you are waiting for inspiration

the task feels too big… you don’t know where to start

everything you write sounds bad

the words just won’t come out

You need a writing system

A writing system is a set of habits and conditions that help you get started and keep going on your writing.

Academic writing advice is often too prescriptive.

There is no right way to write.

You need a writing system that works for you.

To design a system, you need to experiment with …

when and where you will write
how you will put the words on the page
what will keep you coming back

when and where will you write

schedule & setting

When does your brain work best?
Where do you have the least interruptions?
How often can you find pockets of time in the week?
Where do you like to write?
What is the shortest amount of time you need to write?

EXERCISE 1: Pick a font colour, lets spend 5 min writing about the answers to these questions

Shared document link

run a experiment

Template: I will [do something] for [some period of time]

I will put 4 x 30 min writing slots in my calendar for 4 weeks
I will write for 20 min while I drink my coffee for 7 days

I will read at a cafe for 2 hours on Saturday for 3 weeks

Collect some data:

how many words on the page?
how did you feel about the process?

how will you write

The gap can make writing very slow.

You rewrite every sentence as it goes on the page.

Not many sentences get written.

Your thesis is a big project and you want it to be good.

Sometimes perfectionism prevents us from making a start.

4 ideas to experiment with

writing for momentum
writing while reading
writing vs. editing
writing requires focus

writing for momentum

I just can’t get started

Kick start your writing session by writing about …

how you are feeling about writing
what you are feeling stuck on
what you don’t know and need to learn

writing while reading

I need to read more before I can write

What if reading was writing?

make your notes useful
- Reading Matrix
- Summary and Reaction

writing is different from editing

I write too slowly

writing = putting ugly words on the page
editing = making those ugly words less ugly
write first, then revise

writing requires focus

I am easily distracted

Set a timer and focus.

It doesn’t have to be 25 min (start short and work up).

Take regular short breaks.

run an experiment

Template: I will [do something] for [some period of time]

I will use a timer to write in short bursts for 7 days
I will spend 5 min writing to learn each day for 3 weeks

I will write 3 S&R responses each week for a month

Collect some data:

how many words on the page
how you feel about the process

what will keep you coming back

make it easy to start again

Park on the down hill

stay curious, keep experimenting

Image credit: Anne-Laure Le Cunff (Ness Labs)

let’s shut up and write a little

Exercise 2: Lets set a timer and write together; how many words can you generate?

Options:

throw some ugly thesis words on the page
write about what is making writing hard right now
write a summary/reaction about a paper you read
write about the writing experiment you have planned