Writers' retreats for academics: exploring and increasing the motivation to write

Abstract

This paper examines the literature on academic writing and collaborative learning and proposes, in the light of this literature, that the introduction of writers' retreats for academics represents a valuable professional development opportunity. It is argued that such an intervention can be an important initiative, helping to support more productive patterns of academic writing among participating academics. Findings gathered during a writers' retreat are presented, focusing on the positive and negative perspectives that participating academics expressed about writing for publication. The format and the structure of the retreat are described, along with the impact that such an intervention can be argued to have made on participants. Finally, a conceptual map is presented which relates the experiences and insights of the retreat to the 'motivation to write' among academics.

Developing a culture of publication: a joint enterprise writing retreat

“…Increased confidence is a commonly cited outcome of writing interventions as they encourage feelings of greater capability and growing identity as a writer. Cameron et al (2009), Grant (2006 and Moore (2003) all refer to growth in participants' self-belief as writers. Writing therefore, may become less daunting and the mystery surrounding writing for publication diminished, via a collaborative, 'enclosed' facilitative event (Aitchison and Lee, 2006).…”

“…The essential sociality of writing is a fundamental concept inherent within groups (Grant and Knowles, 2000;Moore, 2003). Writing workshops or retreats are generally conceived as a collaborative venture in order to mitigate some of the challenges faced by novice academic writers (Cameron et al, 2009).…”

“…Process-driven approaches to writing for publication regularly identify writing retreats and their benefits, including the creation of communities of practice that can be fostered in a retreat setting, and how these facilitate the developmental phases of the writing process (Wenger, 1998;Moore, 2003;Murray and Newton, 2009). The essential sociality of writing is a fundamental concept inherent within groups (Grant and Knowles, 2000;Moore, 2003).…”

The hidden benefits of writing retreats: Academic development and social interaction for nurses

“…Investment in supporting faculty members in their efforts of research, scholarship and academic writing can influence and increase levels of writing skill, competence and confidence. Moore [5] claimed that given these challenges and requirements, universities must play a vital role in supporting staff in the areas of academic writing and publication. Participants from a writing retreat in Queensland noted that "by taking time out to write, rather than squeezing it around all the other work and activity associated with higher education, writing became an important academic pursuit, worth investing in".…”

“…Writing retreats allow protected time to change pace and find space to think, plan, write and dedicate themselves to productive outcomes which ultimately increases research output. [4][5][6][7] The authors of this paper discovered an added invaluable benefit of their time at this writing retreat: time to engage in social interactions that benefit their professional and personal development.…”