# data[].attributes.body
In the writing retreat in April 2023, we discovered that although we were writing on very different topics, we had a common concept that was interesting to all of us. This made us think whether writing retreats could be organized around common concepts, theories or topics. It could be fruitful to exchange ideas on these during the pauses, and authors could get immediate feedback, inspiration and support. So far, the main idea has been not to talk about the content of the texts during the pauses and small-group discussions but focus on the methodological, pragmatic or emotional side of writing. Perhaps an idea to advance in future workshops!

# data[].attributes.body
As an editor by profession, sometimes is it difficult for me to prioritise time for my writing projects. This was the perfect opportunity to have some scheduled time and some accountability! It was just enough for me to get the up the motivation – and to be able to chat with others who are experiencing similar difficulties was encouraging!

# data[].attributes.body
It was really useful to be so highly aware of time - I realized how useful it is to learn to set really small and specific writing tasks :)

# data[].attributes.body
Thanks for the supportive environment! I had an effective morning and really liked the 30/15 min approach for revisiting/restructuring a text draft.

# data[].attributes.body
You have good writing days, and you have bad writing days, and this was a bad one! However, that's why I'm especially glad that we could connect and write together. I was working on the first part of the empirical analysis in a journal article, and I was really struggling in which order to present things and how to make the outline more logical, but knowing that there were others behind their screens working on their challenges gave me the energy to go through this, and now I have a way forward. Thanks for all who joined today (Nov 18, 2022)!

# data[].attributes.body
I joined for the second retreat (18.11) and decided to work on a paper that had become a bit of a jumble due to a co-author needing to pull out of the collaboration. I have had this on the shelf for ages and thought perhaps this would be the time to dust it off and try again.
In the first session, I worked through a few readings and found a new definition - and suddenly the paper started to make sense again. I then used the remaining two sessions to write like crazy and start tidying up the argument.
It made such a difference to have this dedicated time and share it with a group who share the same goal: to write.
Thank you for making this possible!

# data[].attributes.body
During the session (Nov 4, 2022) I worked efficiently on an article for a journal.

Things that helped me during the writing retreat: I was motivated by knowing that I'm working with someone else in a virtual context to reach each one of us their personal professional goals. I had a good and safe feeling knowing that I am not alone in working and struggling with research challenges. Also I felt of being in competition with myself for 45 minutes and I wanted to de best I could. It helped me to keep up my motivation up knowing that at the break time I had to say to the others what I have done and to tell if I reached or not the goal that I had set at the beginning.

For the future, I think it could be more helpful for me if during the discussion at the break time the teams to be organized according to the common interests: one team of those who worked on book, another team with those who worked on articles etc. And a possible suggestion could it be to invite my students to join the retreat and thus to generate the feeling that students are working together with other more experienced and to get the chance to be involved in a short discussion about academic writing issues.

Thank you so much! //Cristina

# data[].attributes.body
I made good progress with my revise and resubmit. The 45 minute sessions were a bit too long, my focus tends to start to flicker around 20-25 minute slot. But that, of course, makes the larger group organisation more scattered perhaps. Great initiative and good chance to put your head down and focus.

# data[].attributes.body
In the first retreat (Nov 4, 2022) I was writing a peer review report that I had postponed for weeks, probably because it seemed like a difficult task as it dealt with the topic of the book that I had published this year but that the author had ignored, and I was struggling to position myself between the role of an anonymous peer reviewer and author promoting my own book. :D I was also in charge of the schedule of the writing retreat, so I couldn't take a more challenging writing task this time to avoid getting too immersed in writing. But thanks to this retreat, I managed to complete the report and now feel very relieved!

# data[].attributes.body
Did you come up with some special insights on academic writing that you would like to share with us? Please do that and leave a note describing your eye-opener!

# data[].attributes.body
For feedback, please leave your response on this board:

1. What did you do during the sessions, and did you reach your goal?

2. Which things helped and supported you in your writing?

3. How would you develop the working method for future?

4. Any other comments?