Scientists must write articles about their results to publish these in scientific journals. As long as the research has not been published, hardly anyone knows that it has been conducted. In addition to sharing research results with other scientists, publishing is also important for career advancement. It is therefore essential to publish the results of all your research (timely), preferably in good peer-reviewed journals.

The problem with writing scientific articles is that it is important but usually not urgent. As soon as a seemingly more urgent problem arises, writing is discarded. Some people also dislike writing, which easily leads to procrastination and postponement. This way, the non-written or half-written manuscripts pile up.

You want to write more?

If you intend to write and publish more articles, then something must change. I recently read the book How to Write a Lot by Paul J. Silvia which contains simple but effective advice. Paul Silvia is a professor of psychology who has to write a lot and has found an effective method to do this.

Paul Silvia’s advice is to schedule a fixed time, preferably daily, to write one or more hours. Block this time as an appointment in your diary, and do not tamper with it. If necessary, use a cryptic description (such as a regular meeting with a colleague from another department) if others can look into your agenda. Preferably also choose a fixed place to write. To avoid being disturbed by your colleagues, you can write at home, start extra early before your colleagues arrive, or perhaps find a workplace elsewhere in the building where nobody is disturbing you. I used to have a colleague who regularly booked a small meeting room elsewhere in the building in order to work undisturbed.

If it is difficult not to sacrifice the fixed time to other activities, you can consider making a writing appointment with a colleague (from another department) or join a writing group. You get together somewhere, not to talk but just to write in silence.

In this dedicated writing time, you can write articles, or you can use the time to make figures and tables, search for literature, organize your references, and submit the article. As long as they are all activities that contribute to getting your manuscripts published, it is good.

The essence of Silvia’s book is above. If you are looking for a distraction not to have to write for a while 🙂 , you could also read the book yourself. You can buy it, among others, at Amazon.

Help with the final steps of writing scientific articles

If you have manuscripts that are almost finished, but that still need some attention before they can be submitted, you could also hire a scientific editor.

For example, I can help you with:

– editing the text to make it suitable for publication (correcting spelling, grammar, and punctuation; consistency verb times; consistency verb and subject; and also correction of style and clarity)

– making clear tables and graphs

– analyzing the manuscript to spot problems (´peer-review´)

– selecting a journal that fits your research well. Or read my blog about it.

– formatting your document for a specific journal

Feel free to contact me for advice or look here for the services I provide.