Post 178. What motivates you to write (or not!)? June 30, 2025

Jun 30, 2025

Dear writing friends,

As always: We hope this newsletter in your inbox finds you well. If yes, we are grateful with you! If no, remember that light shines brightest after the darkest times — hang in there!

Pic of the Week

Outdoor eating area on the FIU campus - I love the contrasting blue and orange.

Tip of the Week

Are you motivated to write this summer? If yes, great! If no, there are many things you can DO to get the motivation flowing. I’m focusing on some short tips to “Feed Motivation” stemming from my co-authored book with Patricia Goodson, Keep Writing: 101 Strategies for Academic Writers. I’ll give you a “taste”, but you can learn more by purchasing and reading this great resource. The book will be part of our “Book Club” (read about it below) for Fall 2025!

Are you intrinsically (self-motivated) or extrinsically (motivated by external forces) motivated to write?

Likely, you are a combination of both.

But sometimes we lean more one way than another, depending on what project we are working on.

For example, I am more intrinsically motivated if I am very excited about a project. I am more extrinsically motivated to do something I am not so excited about if there is a reward for doing the work (or punishment for not).

One of the points we discuss in our book is the importance of having people who provide you with emotional support throughout your academic journey.

I can think of a few professors, colleagues, and even family who have been there for me, and I am grateful.

If you want to find like-minded emotional support people, join the Real Academics virtual writing retreats this summer! Keep scrolling down…

Purchase Keep Writing...

We’ll be reading this book as part of the Book Club (see below) in Fall 2025!

Until next time…happy writing, productivity, and truth-seeking!

— Maggie and the Team

Get Your Writing Done

WHEN

Upcoming writing retreats are listed on the calendar. Please click on the button to view them.

Calendar

HOW

Learn about the writing retreat and how to request to join by clicking the button below.

Writing Retreat Info

If you are already part of the writing group, you should have the retreat link through email and do not need to request to join. (If you need us to resend the link, please email us at inforealacademics@gmail.com).

NOTE

We use a waiting room for everyone logging in to the retreat.
If you are waiting to be admitted, please be patient as sometimes we don’t see the pop up informing us you are in the waiting room right away.
If you come in during writing time (i.e., NOT on the hour), we may not see you right away as we may be focused on writing or away from our desks. So, please be patient.
If you come on the hourand are waiting for more than 5 minutes or so, please just send us an email (or text if you have our number): inforealacademics@gmail.com. Thanks!