We have started regular group writing sessions called “Shut up & write” every Wednesday 9:00-11:00 AM in room D323.

What is Shut Up & Write?

The goal of these sessions is to create space and time for focused, silent writing.

By writing we mean creation of a text that other people will read. Examples are scientific articles, essays, blog posts, popular text such as news articles, perspectives, opinions, rants, scientific reports, grant proposals, short stories, novels, or even poems.

• By making this a group event, we increase peer pressure to prevent procrastination, and we enjoy the satisfaction coming from shared progress.
• By making this a silent event, we emphasize focus and distraction-free environment.
• By making this a regular event, we we promote the habit of writing.
• By briefly stating our goals at the begining, and summarizing progress at the end, we promote structure in the writing.

What it isn’t

This is not a time for getting feedback on your work, catching up with emails, running analyses, planning, brainstorming, coding, or working on revisions or edits of other people’s texts.

If you come to do these, then you may be losing the rare opportunity for the focused and silent writing.

What if I don’t have a text to work on?

You can start a new one. Take an idea that you always wanted to develop in a text, and give it a shot.

Alternatively, revive a manuscript or text that has been sitting on your drive for ages and needs finishing.

What exactly do we do?

Each session is focused on 2 hours of focused, silent writing, with a 10 min break in the middle. This is the structure:

1. Brief welcome & intention setting – participants share goals for the session (if they wish) and get settled.
2. Focused silent writing.
3. 10 min break to recharge, stretch, and chat if desired.
4. Focused silent writing.
5. Reflection & wrap-Up – participants can share progress, challenges, or next steps.

You can come later or leave earlier.

What if I don’t feel like coming?

Then don’t. These sessions are optional.