Faculty Writing Cooperative
What is the VIRS Faculty Writing Cooperative?
The Writing Cooperative is a peer-led writing accountability group. It meets weekly online throughout the Fall and Spring semesters for 2-hour long blocks of time. At the beginning and middle of the semester, there will be scheduled check-ins with goal-setting activities. At the end of the semester, there will be an optional in-person gathering in VIRS to celebrate our writing accomplishments.
Why join?
Writing often takes a back seat to other faculty responsibilities (teaching, administration, mentorship, etc.). A structured writing program rooted in the concepts of frequency, duration, and intensity promises the best outcomes for writing goals.
What are the commitments?
- Participate in at least 5 2-hour, online write-in sessions throughout the semester.
- Complete the self-guided orientation to the Co-operative new to the program.
How does it work?
- Complete the interest form below to receive access to the Co-operative's Teams site, which includes orientation materials, session sign-up sheets, and the goals template.
- Sign up for at least 2 sessions on the sign-up sheet. If you are new to the program, sign up in a participant block, not a facilitator block.
- If new to the program, review the orientation materials in the Teams site before joining your first writing session. Upon joining your session, let the facilitator know you are new. After two writing sessions, please sign up for two facilitator blocks.
What is a typical schedule?
Sessions are typically held Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays: 10:00am - Noon and 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Testimonials:
"I have benefited tremendously from my writing group. To me, it was a huge success. Truly, it has been the best thing that ever happened for my writing. I think that the process really set me up nicely to make the best of the quarantine and being part of the group has kept me grounded and focused on scholarship at a time when it would have been easy to let my scholarship drop.”
"This was the best single thing I did to advance my research agenda. I do not think I would have achieved much of this if I did not enter this program. I know it sounds crazy, given all I achieved, but I do think that it was made possible because I had a weekly appointment and I kept the projects current, so I did not need a lot to pick them up and keep going. I find that when too much times passes between writing sessions, I lose momentum and the start up time prevents me from being able to move on. Thanks so much for making this happen."
"Established a positive relationship with other writers. I benefited greatly from learning how members in other disciplines approached their writing. Kept me engaged and positive during this very challenging time of isolation. I am able to see the benefit of my efforts. Established a routine to take time to write for myself. Learned new writing habits and strategies. Enjoyed the camaraderie, made new friends."