As I reach the midpoint in a three conference swing, I’ve been taken aback by the many face-to-face responses to my LinkedIn posts.
I’ve met many #earlycareerfaculty & #PhDstudents who have offered positive comments.
Some have noted my posts touch on issues that need to be said. Others have noted my posts let them know #seniorfaculty dealt with the same issues they deal with today. One even said the posts made them feel less alone.
Honestly, I feel a bit awkward when responding to kind words - so if you see me & I fumble a bit - it’s me - not you!
I’ve also met more senior faculty who have offered mixed comments.
No one has said to stop writing. Several have said they read my posts. All have said they don’t agree with all my posts; but, they serve a valuable role in jump-starting conversations in the community.
A few have commented on the number of posts, & the time it takes to read them, & asked me to slow down or to describe my writing process. They express concern that I take a lot of time to write for LinkedIn & not for journals.
I appreciate all of the comments - positive or negative or interrogatory.
So questions & answers about the writing process.
Do I have a schedule?
No, I write when the spirit moves me (metaphorically). Some days I don’t write at all. Most days I write once or twice.
Do I plan topics?
No, I write about issues that I think about or encounter in my life. Sometimes immediate ones. Other times issues that sit at a slow burn.
I don’t have a list of topics that I plan to write about.
Does it take time?
Yes. It takes from 20 minutes to two hours. It depends on the topic & mood.
Once I start writing, I tend to be seized by the muse & can’t let the idea go until it’s done.
Do I have a template?
Yes, one is evolving - but I don’t hold myself to it.
How do I pick topics?
I write what I feel like writing about. It feels selfish.
I also write in response to requests. That feels altruistic.
Do I know which topics people will like?
Absolutely not. Your guess is as good as mine.
What is your goal?
It has evolved - it started as wanting to balance an unhappy post with a positive one - it has become a desire to share lessons learned from my many mistakes & experiences with early career faculty.
I don’t want people to suffer from the same naive missteps that I made.
I do want people to understand the power of doing things for the right reason at the right time.
Do you have to include your personal life?
Yes. My work & personal life are one - esp. as a single parent. It would be dishonest to post about work & ignore my experience as a parent.
Finally.
Will you keep writing?
I don’t know. I’ll stop writing when it feels inauthentic.
I need to slow down & focus on my students as fall is here. I do plan on penning a post a few times a week. I enjoy the writing exercises & formalizing my lived experience.
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