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Risman’s Writing Retreats Fall 2022 Newsletter

READY, SET GO: Fall into your new writing routine!

The summer will soon be over, and most of us will be back in the classroom, taking classes, teaching classes or doing both. We will be busy, and we could spend our time regretting all the writing we hoped to do but didn’t over the summer. But that’s water under the bridge and doesn’t do any one any good.

It is time to realize that putting off writing until you have more free time, like in the summer, isn’t really a good idea. If you want to actually produce that dissertation, or article or book, you have to work on it regularly. By the time summer rolls around, we all need time to rest and recuperate, and spend time with our loved ones. Of course we can and should write during the summer but no one can be really be productive if that is the only time they write.

So now is the time to think about integrating writing into your academic life systematically. Unlike some writing coaches, I don’t believe that if you do not write every day, you cannot be successful. Each of us has our own rhythm. And all of us need to get classes under control (as students and teachers) and in a groove before we can really focus on writing. But then, once we do that, making progress involves prioritizing oneself with a writing plan, weekly scheduling, and a commitment to your goals. Those goals need to be realistic, or you will just end up feeling guilty about them.

This fall you have two options for joining a Risman’s Writing Retreats online writing community. Both options involve writing together Monday mornings (U.S. Central time) starting and ending with accountability groups that stay together for 12 full weeks.

From October 3rd to December 19th . Zoom meetings from 9:00 to noon.

First option Getting it out the Door
For graduate students and junior scholars, I will again offer workshops aimed at helping you get it out the door. This will be a 12 week writing community where we discuss tricks of the trade, from how to structure an article, to picking a journal for submission, to dealing with reviewer comments. Because writing is not just a technical skill, we will also do some individual and collaborative reflection on why we write, for whom, and where writing fits in our career goals. I will begin each day with a short presentation and then we will discuss the topic and share best practices and on-going struggles. If you have previously been in an online writing group with me, you are still welcome to join and only participate in those conversations that you’d like to have another time!

There is a second option which will involve workshopping each other’s work This is primarily for alumni of Risman’s Writing Retreats although if room allows, for more senior scholars who already know how to get it out the door. This will be a very small community of 5 scholars.

Each person will have the opportunity to workshop an idea, an outline, a book proposal, or a short section of an article or book twice during the 12 weeks. This is a beta test and so I am limiting the enrollment. This group will also start and end with writing accountability. We will also write together, but take a break in the middle to workshop each other’s work. I will both participate in the workshop and provide further written comments, and line editing, if appropriate.

Cost for Getting It Out the Door
Students $150
Faculty $300
Three scholarships available for student from group under-represented in the academy.

Cost for Writing Workshop
Students/Post-docs $200 (only for online community alums)
Faculty $400
This fee includes my personal comments and advice on the project
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Payment:
Billing can be to individuals or universities
Individuals can pay by Venmo to @Barbara-Risman
If you register by September 15, you get a $20 early bird discount
Once you have registered (and paid) there is no refund unless your place can be filled with someone from the Wait List.