Commit to the Craft: Writing Strategies for the Overburdened Scholar - Part II
Introduction
For many Black women in religious scholarship, writing isn’t just a solitary intellectual pursuit—it’s an act of resistance, a way to ensure that the narratives of our communities and theological insights are not erased. But consistency is difficult when church, family, and financial obligations pull you in multiple directions. Here’s how to create a writing practice that fits into your reality.
1. Set a Writing Schedule That Works for You
Traditional academic advice suggests writing daily, but that may not be feasible for you. Instead, identify times that realistically work with your life. If your church or family responsibilities are heavier on weekends, focus on weekday mornings or late evenings. Even two dedicated writing sessions per week can yield significant progress.
2. Create a Ritual to Start Writing
Having a ritual helps signal to your brain that it’s time to write. This could be lighting a candle, listening to instrumental music, or reading a passage from a favorite theological text. Rituals create a sense of sacred space around your work, reinforcing that your writing is not secondary but essential.
3. Track Your Progress in a Way That Motivates You
Some scholars find motivation in tracking word counts, while others prefer checking off completed sections. Use a method that works for you, whether it’s a bullet journal, a spreadsheet, or voice memos capturing your thoughts between writing sessions.
4. Find an Accountability Partner Who Understands Your Challenges
Accountability partners can be invaluable, but they should understand the specific challenges you face. Connecting with other Black women in academia or religious scholarship—whether through formal writing groups or informal check-ins—can provide encouragement and practical strategies for success.
5. Embrace Imperfection and the Power of Drafts
Too often, Black scholars feel the pressure to be perfect, knowing that their work is scrutinized more harshly than that of their white counterparts. Release yourself from that burden. First drafts are meant to be messy. What matters is getting your thoughts on paper. You can refine later, but you can’t edit a blank page.
Coming Up Next: Identifying Your Peak Productivity Windows In the final installment, we’ll explore how to align your writing with your natural energy rhythms to maximize productivity—no matter how packed your schedule is.
Great suggestions!