Writing is the currency of higher education (Mazak, 2024) and is often a heavily weighted factor in the tenure process. And yet, the task of writing for publication is often not a top priority for faculty. Lack of time is the primary impediment, but confidence, affective, and physical barriers all stand in the way of getting started. In truth, writing is relegated to spare time that we never have. If a pocket of time becomes available, we have plenty of unfinished business to catch up on. To be clear, we are self-proclaimed procrastinators when it comes to writing, mostly due to lack of commitment and confidence. Let’s face it, we attend to the things we deem more pressing and achievable while avoiding writing. However, we have experience that we know others would benefit from, and writing is an expectation of our job. Sigh. Consider the following model that helped us get started and work through publication. This analogy of building a home may assist you in initiating and sticking with your writing.
A good piece of writing isn’t just written, it is constructed. Cue up a mental image of building a house and we will apply it to writing a paper. The supplies we need will be the 6+1 Trait Writing model (Culham, 2003) in order of importance: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation. Like building a house, we work from the big picture down to the details. Conceptually, this provides us with the mental space to recognize that a particular writing project will not be done in one single effort. It involves multiple stages that can be addressed one phase at a time as you work towards completion. Below is the comparison of the various stages of building a house along with the corresponding steps for “building” your paper. As a matter of full disclosure, we’ve never built a house!
Select Your Property Location and Materials
Referring to houses, this is related to choosing the land or location of where you want to live. This may involve visiting various communities. Similarly with writing, you will need to select your “plot.” In other words, pick your topic and your neighbors. What community does that new-build belong in? Will you be sharing work with practitioners or is it a theoretical piece? Read around the area (visit other communities) to determine how your topic fits into existing literature. This is where your “ideas” take shape.
Get Your Plan Stamped
Consider this the stage where you get Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval if necessary. Does your inquiry involve creating surveys or data collection mechanisms? Are you conducting a study or writing from collected artifacts? You may already have the data gathered. You are the architect but, is your plan well-engineered? Choose quality designs and methods. You may need resources that help you manage your data to generate your theory.
Select a Builder or a Team
You are the general contractor or the author of your paper. However, you may want to consider a co-author. Different experts working on the same piece can help get the work done and get your piece published (or moved in) sooner. Consider the experience or perspective a coauthor can add to your knowledge base. They could serve as a consultant or work right along with you. Seek technical assistance if needed. For example, will you need someone to help with data analysis?
Site Clearance; Excavation
When you are writing, it is important to clear your schedule for the time you wish to devote to your project. This may involve closing your email and finding a distraction free space. Planning and scheduling require attention to the timeline. Set up a devoted period for writing. There are deadlines for journals. Make a decision, mark the calendar and set the timeline.
Lay the Foundation
Consider how you want to organize the paper. This does not have to be in complete sentences but should include general ideas about how you see the paper developing. This is where you articulate the foundation of your interest. Begin with, “this appears to be the situation; this is what others are saying about the situation; this is what others suggest will make an impact; this is what I am proposing will be a leverage point for shifting thought, action, technique or achievement.”
Framing
Write an outline. Write the headings of the various sections of your paper. For example, you may not yet know all of the points for the paper, but you can include a heading entitled “Methods.” Add “Results,” “Discussion,” and “Conclusion.” These are the headers, floors, walls, and roof. Cycle back and fill in the vertical walls. Secure by articulating each of these sections.
Lock Up Stage
This is the phase in building when the entire outside of the house is completed and wrapped. It can be literally locked up from the outside. For your paper, this involves writing a complete first draft. Unlike building a house, when you are building a paper, this does not have to be perfect! There are still just studs on the inside but you can see its potential.
Take Regular Breaks
Walk away from your project occasionally! Like building a house, it is unrealistic to think that you will get the project done in one day. Like contractors, you are moving among your other jobs and responsibilities. Walk away, and come back another day. When you return, survey the previous work. You will be surprised at how differently you see things after a moment away. You have a fresh look at your work.
Interior Finishes
Rough in the electrical, plumbing and HVAC. This is a good time to consider the “voice” and sentence fluency of your paper. Are your connections clear and fluid? Run the lines and test them to see that they are connected and flow.
Fitting, Fixtures, and Painting
Look for additional research to support weaker portions of the paper. As you continue reading and researching, you will find nuggets to include throughout the paper. Examples of evidence fit in here. While attending to these additions, you notice areas where revisions are warranted and finishing touches are needed. You are now cleaning up and finishing the landscaping. During this stage, you cycle through as you notice what needs to be done. This can be short visits at the site or at your desk to check on edits with fresh eyes and run your piece through a final check for conventions and formatting.
Walk Through
This is when the project is finished. At this point, it may be helpful to get a second opinion and/or show your paper to a peer for feedback. Take constructive feedback and revisit any of the previous stages based on the advice. You’ve made it this far, so now send it off!
Moving In
The code enforcer will be stopping by and hopefully you get your Certificate of Occupancy. They may find something that you will have to address but finding the right journal or outlet for publication will increase the likelihood that your workmanship is acceptable even if you have to make some changes.
The above steps are not always a linear process. Just like with building a house, you may experience setbacks while writing. Accommodating disruptions without abandoning the project helps to keep your writing on course to completion. This is a process that you can step in and out of over the course of time. Consider the comparison of the various stages of building a house along with the correlating steps for “building” a paper. You have a writing project waiting for you to get started. With a strong structure and your fine craftsmanship, you will find your voice.
Michelle Ciminelli, PhD, is an associate professor of literacy education at Niagara University in Lewiston, New York.
Paula Adams is an assistant professor of literacy education at Niagara University in Lewiston, New York.
References
Mazak, C. (2022). Making time to write: How to resist the patriarchy and take control of your academic career through writing. Morgan James Publishing.
Culham, R. (2003). 6+1 traits of writing: The complete guide, grades 3 and up. New York: Scholastic Professional Books.
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