Interlude: Learning, Investing, and Effective Writing
I love to learn. I think that's what drew me to scientific research. I loved deciphering the why and how of things.
And although I'm no longer a scientific researcher, I still love deciphering the why and how of things, especially writing.
I've spent the past decade learning why and how to write well. I've taken courses, read books, scoured the literature, listened to podcasts, attended seminars and conferences, and much more.
It's been hard work learning how to write well by gathering pieces of advice from various places and then figuring out how the pieces should be put together.
But it's been well worth the investment.
And I believe that the best investment you can make is an investment in yourself.
But I also know that not everyone has the time (or nerdiness) to learn to write the way that I did. And most institutions do not offer adequate training in writing.
That's why I created my Scientific Writing Masterclass. I want to make learning to write well easier, faster, and more enjoyable for you.
So I took the best of what I've learned over the past 10 years and combined it with my 20 years of experience in teaching to create a course that will help you learn all the pieces and how to put them together in the easiest and most systematic way possible.
I know that joining the masterclass is an investment, both in money and—more importantly—time. And I also know that if you learn to write better, faster, and easier, those investments will come back to you many times over.
Take it from Lola R., a professional writer who just completed the masterclass:
“As a writer, I needed insights into the writing process to deliver impactful and concise work. The Scientific Writing Masterclass helped me to bridge that gap. Throughout the past 12 weeks, I have learned insightful and practical ways to write and expand on core ideas. This program paves the way to confidence in writing, not just for those in research but all writers. I now write confidently and use a systemic writing approach to create pieces that impact a reader's informed decision-making. The Scientific Writing Masterclass delivers valuable information with easy usage in a reasonable time frame.”
If you want to know what others are saying about the Scientific Writing Masterclass, head over to the course website. You'll also learn all the ways the course will help you learn to write well.
And if you have any questions, please reach out. I'd be delighted to hear from you.
Now for this week's round-up...
💌 Round-up
🎉 Featured
How to Write More Effective CME Content through Conscious Communication
In this article, Alex Howson frames our podcast conversation for writers in continuing medical education.
"...you have to be skilled in your craft to create effective content for your audience. This goes beyond simply speaking to their interests, sharing facts and information, or even presenting new ideas and concepts in an easily digestible way. To form strong, impactful connections with your audience through the written word, you have to understand how they feel and speak to their emotions."
Bonus tip: If you check out the podcast episode, you'll find a discount for the masterclass.
💻 From My Desk
Why You Need a Writing Journal Club and How to Create One
Although many academic institutions have journal clubs, these clubs tend to focus on content, such as sound methods, accurate findings, and convincing interpretations. But very few focus on the writing itself. In a writing journal club, you can help participants develop their writing skills.
Interested in joining a writing journal club? We will have three club sessions in my upcoming Scientific Writing Masterclass.
📆 Upcoming
Open Office Hours – May 18, 2023, 11 am Pacific Time
Have questions about scientific and medical writing? Join me for a live Q&A conversation. You can bring your questions to the session or submit them in advance on the registration form.
Scientific Writing Masterclass – Starts the week of May 29, 2023
Want to take your writing to the next level this summer? Join the masterclass to transform your writing into clear, concise, and compelling stories. Space is limited. Registration closes on May 19, 2023, or when the class is full.
👓 Reading
Unlock the Power of Effective Writing: Insights from Steven Pinker
"...Cognitive psychologist Steven Pinker suggests several strategies:
Use concrete nouns and refer to tangible things instead of abstractions.
Assume that readers know less about the topic than you do, but are still intelligent and sophisticated.
Have someone from the intended audience read your work and provide feedback.
Allow time between writing and editing, so you can approach your own work with fresh eyes."
💬 Quote
"Ultimately, there’s one investment that supersedes all others: Invest in yourself. Nobody can take away what you’ve got in yourself, and everybody has potential they haven’t used yet." — Warren Buffet
📝 Challenge
Take a moment to think about the goals you want to accomplish in the next 5 years. Then take one step toward investing in that goal. Do you want to run a marathon? Create a training plan. Do you want to level up your writing skills? Enroll in the Scientific Writing Masterclass.
Thank you so much for reading.
Warmly,
Crystal
