Calm productivity for academics
No longer active
This site is now an archive of my previous work. I have moved all my ongoing writing to https://michael-rowe.github.io/home-michael/
Category: Writing
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Avoid information overload with an effective knowledge cycle
A systematic knowledge cycle helps academics transform information overload into meaningful scholarly output. The process involves purposeful capture, regular processing, deliberate connection-making, and consistent creation. Rather than processing everything perfectly, this approach converts selected information into valuable insights through intentional research, note-taking, and writing practices that compound over time.
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Improve academic writing with classic style
Good writing prioritises clear presentation of ideas with a focus on structure, logic, and function, akin to architecture rather than decoration. Classic style, which advocates simplicity, truth, and conversation-like diction, is recommended for its clarity and authority. Overly complex academic writing should be avoided in favor of minimalism and functionality to effectively convey research and…
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Goal-driven motivation: Writing when you don’t feel like it
Goal-driven motivation is the incentive to do something I know is valuable when I don’t feel like doing it at all.
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Using AI to overcome writer’s block
Struggling with writer’s block? Learn how to use AI tools effectively to move past blank page paralysis and create workable first drafts of your academic writing. While AI can’t replicate your unique voice, it can help you overcome writer’s block and focus on refining your ideas.
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Distraction-free writing: Plain text editors for academic work
Discover how distraction-free writing tools can transform your academic writing practice. Moving beyond traditional word processors, learn how minimalist writing environments can help maintain consistent writing progress. This guide explores practical strategies for selecting and implementing distraction-free writing tools that align with the natural flow of academic thinking.
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Writing to understand
Writing to understand challenges how academics typically approach writing as a final step in research. Rather than waiting until we have complete knowledge, this post explores how writing itself can be a powerful tool for thinking and discovery, helping us make connections and clarify our understanding through the act of writing.
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Writing at four levels
Tackle writing in four stages: capture high-level concepts, develop a coherent structure, craft consistent paragraphs, and write concise sentences. This structured approach makes the writing process more manageable, allowing you to focus on one element at a time and produce polished, effective work.
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Giving early drafts substance with plain text
The early drafts of any piece of writing aren’t meant to ‘be good’. They’re about giving early drafts substance.
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Paul Silvia: How to write a lot
How to Write a Lot by Paul J. Silvia is a practical guide for academics struggling to boost their writing productivity. Silvia emphasizes disciplined scheduling, self-monitoring, and overcoming perfectionism to make writing a consistent part of one’s routine. His strategies empower scholars to publish more without compromising personal time.
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John McPhee: Draft no. 4
In Draft No. 4, John McPhee offers a masterclass on nonfiction writing, weaving insights from decades at The New Yorker. His reflections on structure, drafting, and precision offer academics a transformative approach to writing with purpose and clarity, vital skills for producing compelling, research-driven narratives.
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Academic writing workflow with Obsidian
Transform your fragmented academic writing workflow into an integrated system that enhances your thinking and productivity. Learn why traditional approaches to managing academic writing across multiple platforms may be holding you back, and explore how connected note-taking tools like Obsidian can create a more natural, sustainable writing environment.