Interlude: Community, Advice, and Specific Questions

I have an idea. And I'd love to get your advice.

Over the past few months, I've been meeting with the students in my Scientific Writing Masterclass every week. During those meetings, I've realized how much we can benefit from connecting and exchanging information with other researchers and writers.

So, I've been giving a lot of thought to the idea of creating an online community—for you! This community would be a place where you can connect with your peers to get support, share your experience, enhance your writing skills, and solve your writing problems.

I already have some ideas for the community. But I'd love to get your advice on whether you would be interested in such a community and what benefits you would want to get by joining. This community would be for you, so I want to be sure that you get to help me design it in a way that you get the most value from it.

Would you mind taking just a few minutes to answer these 5 questions? I would be so grateful for your advice.

And now for a themed round-up on advice and feedback...

💌 Round-up

💻 From My Desk

Key Questions to Ask When Reviewing Your Grant Proposal
Constructive feedback is a valuable part of writing a grant, because you can learn how to improve your project and refine your writing. But to get the most constructive feedback, you need to ask the right questions.

👓 Reading

Why Warren Buffet Believes Feedback Is A Gift and You Should Too
"...think about feedback as a gift that you welcome with open arms any time someone is willing to offer it. The more you open yourself up to collecting feedback, the more valuable data you can collect as well."

💬 Quote

“The trick to viewing feedback as a gift is to be more worried about having blind spots than hearing about them.” – James Clear

💭 Thoughts

When you ask someone for advice, you create a partnership and collaboration.

📝 Challenge

The next time you ask a colleague to review your draft, ask them specific questions so that you can get the actionable feedback you need to improve your project and writing.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Influence, Undermining, and Hidden Messages

Have you heard the saying, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”? The idea behind this saying is that the people we spend time with can unconsciously influence who we become.

I think the same concept is true for our writing.

The language we read in other people's writing can unconsciously influence the language we use in our own writing. And if we "spend the most time" with poor writing, habits of poor writing will seep into our own writing, without us even realizing it's happening.

I have a silly example of this concept that I think you might relate to if you've moved to a new state or country.

I grew up in California. And when I moved to New York for graduate school, I heard many people use the word "wicked" to add emphasis, like using the words "really" or "very." I thought this word was so strange, and I told myself that I would never use it.

Years later, I was talking to a friend and the word flew out of my mouth before I realized what I was saying. Totally (there's my California roots) unintentional. And I realized that after being exposed to "wicked" so often, the word slipped into my language by osmosis.

I believe that the same "osmotic learning" can happen as we read the literature. If we expose our minds to poor writing without being aware that the writing is poor, then we will unconsciously fuel poor habits in our own writing.

And I think this possibility is why we need to be mindful and intentional about our writing.

How have other people's writing influenced your writing? Hit reply and let me know.

And now onto the good stuff...

💌 Round-up

💻 From My Desk

How to Avoid Undermining the Conclusions of Your Research Paper
The end of a research paper is a powerful position. Yet, many researchers weaken the power of their study at the end of the paper by undermining their conclusions. Learn how misusing phrases like "More research is needed…" and "…has yet to be assessed" can erode the significance of your study.
 

👓 Reading

Elemental haiku
"A review of the Periodic Table composed of 119 science haiku, one for each element, plus a closing haiku for element 119 (not yet synthesized). The haiku encompass astronomy, biology, chemistry, history, physics, and a bit of whimsical flair."
 

🖥️ Watching

What Academics Say vs What They Mean: The Hidden Messages in Academic Jargon
In this video, YouTuber Andy Stapleton shares his funny takes on common language used among academics. Grab a cup of coffee or tea. This 8-minute video is an entertaining watch.
 

💭 Thoughts

Good writing habits are formed with diligent practice.

The more you practice the principles of good writing, the more those principles will become second nature.
 

📝 Challenge

This week, read your most recent manuscript draft or publication to see if you undermined your conclusions. If you did, think about how you could revise that text in the future.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Resistance, Plain Language, and Ableist Language

When I was in graduate school, my mentor would advise me to do a complicated experiment. Then he would say, "I know it's a lot of work" in a tone that suggested I was hesitant to do the work. But that's not my style. I'm not one to take the path of least resistance. I'm challenge-driven and will do whatever work is needed to produce the best result.

But I know that his tone was not a reflection on me. It was a reflection on other students he mentored. And he was not wrong in his approach.

Our brains are wired to take the path of least resistance to achieve what we want. And this cognitive ease principle, or the principle of least effort, influences every aspect of our lives, including our writing.

Many authors apply the cognitive ease principle to their writing in a way that creates a path of least resistance for the work they need to do to write. But they do not always think about creating a path of least resistance for the people who need to read their writing.

This shift in mindset can profoundly improve your writing. So, the next time you work on refining your draft, think about how you can create a path of least resistance for readers.

And now onto the good stuff...

💌 Round-up

🎉 Featured

Power Up Your LinkedIn Profile
I was thrilled to join Jenni Pickett of the AMWA Carolinas Chapter for a live interview on how I get the most out of LinkedIn. If you missed the live session, you can watch the recording to hear our conversation and learn how to improve your profile, customize your feed, and use Canva to create visuals.
 

👓 Reading

Examples Of Ableist Language You May Not Realize You’re Using
Ableist language—overt or subtle—can fuel stigma and bias. This article provides examples of ableist language that you might not realize you're using. And if you want a more comprehensive guide on ableist and other stigmatizing language, check out my Inclusive Language Course.

The international definition of plain language
"A communication is in plain language if its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended readers can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information."
 

🖥️ Watching

Debunking the Oversimplification Myth: Making the Case for Plain Language
Many subject matter experts fear that plain language principles will oversimplify content and minimize the importance of the work. This video makes a case for using plain language for a wide range of audiences. I highly recommend that you watch the first 20 minutes.
 

📝 Challenge

This week, apply just one principle of plain language to everything you write. I recommend using shorter words and sentences, because these principles are two of the top drivers of readability.
 

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Lay Summaries, Communication Gaps, and Connection

I anticipate you might be wondering why this newsletter is a few days early. Well, I couldn't wait to share some exciting news with you.

I created a new course—and you're getting early access!

The course is called Lay Summary Fundamentals.

I've worked with a lot of researchers who put off writing the lay summary for their manuscript or project narrative for their grant until the last minute. Then they scramble to craft something that “gets the job done.” But this approach only produces a subpar lay summary that does a disservice to the work—and to science.

Lay summaries are a really important part of research. They amplify the accessibility, visibility, transparency, and impact of scientific research.

So, to help you craft an impactful lay summary, I created the Lay Summary Fundamentals course.

This course is rooted in a webinar I gave that was a huge hit. Here's what a few attendees had to say:

"I highly recommend this webinar. Crystal walked through these topics so clearly and I am excited to implement her suggestions into my writing!"

"The slides and resource materials provide a clear and practical introduction to plain language writing for specialist and general audiences."

"Great chance to learn practical tips and frameworks for how to improve the readability of your writing."

As a member of the Redwood Ink community, you're getting early access (and a deep discount!) before the course officially opens tomorrow. You can find all the details on the course website.

Now onto the (early) weekly round-up...

💌 Round-up

💻 From My Desk

10 Helpful Tips for Communicating Research to the Public
Many researchers are most comfortable writing in an "academic style" for their colleagues. But this writing style is often confusing for nonspecialists—fueling a communication gap between researchers and the general public. These tips will help you write in a way that connects with a variety of readers, from the general public to experts in your field.

👓 Reading

A whimsical request inspired some essential writing tools
In this article, writing coach Roy Peter Clark shares a personal anthology of his thoughts on writing. "I would select my favorite bits of advice, not just from the new book, but from the six that preceded it — the kind of practical strategies that work best in my coaching and teaching."

The current state of graphical abstracts and how to create good graphical abstracts
"The key steps for creating a GA [graphical abstract] are as follows: (1) start by identifying the main message; (2) choose an appropriate visual style; (3) draw an easy-to-understand graphic; (4) use colors and other design elements; and (5) request feedback....GAs have become a crucial art for researchers to master, and their use is expected to expand in the future."
 

💭 Thoughts

One mark of a good writer is empathy for readers.

A good writer can relate to the feelings and motivations of their readers to create an emotional connection.

📝 Challenge

This week, open the most recent lay summary or project narrative that you wrote. Then ask a friend or family member who does not work in science to read it and tell you what they don't understand.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Preparation, Stories, and LinkedIn

Every morning, I take my dog, Benson, for an "adventure" around the neighborhood. He loves our adventures...except when it rains. And recently, we had quite the rain storm.

On a rainy day earlier this week, I got us ready for our morning adventure. I put on my rain gear and got Benson "suited up" in his raincoat (his coat is red, so I like to think of it as his superhero cape). And then we trudged out into the storm, anticipating feeling dread for being out in the bad weather. Only this time, I didn't feel dread. Instead, I found myself enjoying the sound of the rain and feeling gratitude for having rain gear that keeps me dry and warm. And then I realized that my gratitude was rooted in one thing.

Preparation.

Because I was prepared with the proper gear, I found myself enjoying what may people find unenjoyable. And I realized that this link between preparation and enjoyment applies to many things in our lives.

The more we can prepare, the more we can enjoy. Whether we're preparing an outline for a manuscript or practicing an upcoming presentation, we can make things easier and more enjoyable by preparing.

So, my goal for this weekend is to find a better raincoat for Benson, so that he can enjoy our rainy adventures as much as I do.

And now for this week's round-up...

💌 Round-up

🎉 Featured

The Intrinsic Story Structure of Original Research Manuscripts
I'm delighted to share my latest publication in the AMWA Journal. In the article, I describe how the most common story structure—the three-act structure—maps onto the standard IMRaD structure of original research manuscripts. And I share a useful abbreviation to help you remember to include each part of this structure in your manuscript.

🖥️ Watching

The Magical Science of Storytelling
In this TEDx talk, David JP Phillips shares how storytelling is a powerful way to transfer knowledge because it induces the release of four neurotransmitters in the brain. Although "Mr. Death by Powerpoint" focuses his talk on storytelling in presentations, his tips are just as relevant to writing.

🧰 Tools

Presentation Coach (PowerPoint)
Would you like feedback on your presentations before presenting in front of others? Try the "Rehearse with Coach" feature in PowerPoint. This feature will give you a report on your pace, pitch, energy, use of filler words, and so much more. However, the feature won't report when you use these other phrases that you want to avoid in your presentations.
 

📝 Challenge

This week, open up your most recent presentation and practice with the "Rehearse with Coach" feature. Then note just one thing you can do to better prepare for your next presentation.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Writer's Block, Peer Review, and Overwhelm

I get a lot of questions about how to overcome writer's block. Almost every author reaches a point where they feel mentally blocked, and they are unable to think of what to write or how to move forward in the writing process.

But what if writer's block isn't really about being mentally blocked. What if it's actually about being emotionally drained?

I love Anne Lamott's take on writer's block in Bird by Bird: "I no longer think of it as block. I think that is looking at the problem from the wrong angle...The word block suggests that you are constipated or stuck, when the truth is that you are empty."

I think that writer's block can result from feeling unmotivated, overwhelmed, or frustrated with the writing process. These feelings can become so strong that they drain the energy we need for writing.

What's the remedy? I don't have a one-size-fits-all solution. We are all unique and have different factors that contribute to our challenges with the writing process. But if you find that you are staring at a blinking cursor for more than a few minutes, I suggest one of two things.

My first line of defense is to got for a 10-minute walk outside. A short walk often gives me a little distance from the writing—and a little nature therapy.

Another option is to write anything that comes to your mind, even "I don't know what to write" over and over again. At some point in that process, your thoughts will change and different words will flow.

How do you overcome writer's block? Hit reply and let me know!

And now onto this week's round-up...

💌 Round-up

👓 Reading

The rise and fall of peer review
This article is a longer read, but the author challenges you to think and infuses bits of humor throughout. "All we can say from these big trends is that we have no idea whether peer review helped, it might have hurt, it cost a ton, and the current state of the scientific literature is pretty abysmal. In this biz, we call this a total flop."

Stop the peer-review treadmill. I want to get off
This article offers some interesting alternatives to encouraging researchers to participate in peer review. But as the article suggests, none of the incentives gives researchers what they need most: time.

🎧 Listening

Five Ways to Reduce Overwhelm When Writing (aka Thinking)
In this episode of the Free Time podcsat, Jenny Blake shares 5 ways that she reduces overwhelm in the writing process, including: (1) collect your ideas in a central location, (2) brainstorm nonlinearly, (3) prepare content before sitting down to write, (4) ignite motivation by writing just 7 sentences, and (5) write in smaller chunks.
 

💭 Thoughts

The writing process is not hard because writing is hard.

The writing process is hard because thinking is hard.

📝 Challenge

This week, take 10 minutes to list things you can do to make your writing process easier (if you need inspiration, check out these 10 things). Then do one thing on that list to help set your future self up for success in the writing process.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Email, Utilize, and Finding Your Voice

I recently read an article in Nature about email etiquette and how to write an email that your principal investigator (or anyone) will read. The article gives some great advice for how to craft concise, actionable emails and how to follow up on them.

I agree that we can be more mindful when sending emails (which is why I carefully craft this email every week). But I also think that we could be better about how we manage our inbox.

A few years ago, I overhauled how I manage email. After reading the book 21 Days to Inbox Zero (now a web article), I completely changed how I manage my inbox. The emails still get ahead of me now and then, and I don't follow all the strategies, but I have way more control of my inbox now. And I hope that some of the strategies might work for you too.

But when you get to Day 6 or 20, I hope you won't unsubscribe from this newsletter. I'm really grateful to have you here.

Let's get to the good stuff...

💌 Round-up

💻 From My Desk

How to Accurately Use “Utilize” in Your Writing
I believe that utilize is the most misused—and overused—word in scientific and medical writing. What's the more accurate (and readable) choice? Use.

👓 Reading

Nonhuman “Authors” and Implications for the Integrity of Scientific Publication and Medical Knowledge
"Transformative, disruptive technologies, like AI language models, create promise and opportunities as well as risks and threats for all involved in the scientific enterprise."

Ready, Set, Share!
"Across many fields of science, researchers’ support for sharing data has increased during the past decade, surveys show. But given the potential cost and complexity, many are apprehensive about the NIH policy, and other requirements to follow." In this article, Science offers guidance for researchers who need to comply with the new NIH requirements for sharing data.

🎧 Listening

Find Your Writing Voice —Write Medicine podcast with Alexandra Howson 
In this short episode, Ben Riggs describes his thoughts on voice in writing: "It's an unavoidable part of writing. So being cognizant of its unavoidability, I think, is important because I think writers need to ask themselves and editorial spaces need to be aware of what is the voice they're creating with the words they're writing, or editing, and is that the voice that they're anticipating or that that the reader needs."
 

📝 Challenge

This week, use the Find feature in Word to search for "utilize" in your writing. In every instance (yes, every instance), replace utilize with use.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Language, Inclusion, and Stories

Language is powerful. It has the power to influence, persuade, and motivate.

And inclusive language has the power to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging to create a more equitable society.

But a major challenge in our using inclusive language is our unawareness.

I have worked with many researchers and clinicians who are unaware of the language they use in their writing and clinical practice. And they may not realize how their language could unintentionally—even unconsciously—fuel bias.

And I, admittedly, was once among them.

But I've prioritized learning about inclusive language so that I could do better. And now I want to help you do better too.

So, I created an Inclusive Language Course that will help you enhance your awareness of the language you use and learn current recommendations for using bias-free language in your writing, clinical practice, and daily lives.

And if you enroll, 10% of your payment will be donated to the Health Equity Initiative.

I hope you'll check it out. And if you do, let me know what you think. I'm always grateful for your feedback, because it helps me to create better resources for you.

And now onto the weekly round-up...

💌 Round-up

👓 Reading

‘Nature’: Free Open-Access Publishing for 70+ Nations’ Research
"‘Nature’ and the Nature Research journals offer free open-access publication to researchers from lower income world markets."

🎧 Listening

Nurture Connection: Tell Them a Story
I had the pleasure of meeting Ben Riggs at the AMWA conference last year, and we had one of those conversations where you wonder how the past few hours just flew by. He's a brilliant storyteller. In this podcast, he shares his thoughts on the importance of context, simplicity, and humanity in writing; that accuracy does not mean exhaustiveness; and rewriting is about selection and not compression. This episode does not disappoint.

🧰 Tools

Squarespace
I've been making some much-needed updates to my website this year. I'll continue to refine the site over time, but Squarespace has made the development process a breeze. Their user-friendly platform, thorough support, and beautiful templates are impressive. If you need to create a website for your lab or business, I highly recommend you check out Squarespace.

💬 Quote

"Language is very powerful. Language does not just describe reality. Language creates the reality it describes." —Desmond Tutu, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (1984)
 

📝 Challenge

Open up the latest draft of the project you've been writing and review the text to ensure you used inclusive language.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Subtraction, Errors, and Manipulation

I recently discovered an article by Derek Sivers in which he describes the value of subtracting from our lives. "Life can be improved by adding, or by subtracting. The world pushes us to add, because that benefits them. But the secret is to focus on subtracting."

I think that this concept also applies to writing. Writing can be improved by adding, or by subtracting. Removing unnecessary details and complex language will put more focus on the core ideas.

I also think that the writing process can be improved by subtracting. If we remove distractions, like cell phones and unnecessary meetings, we make room for deep work and can allocate more time to the critical thinking needed to write well.

A lot can be gained by removing the unnecessary and reducing friction.

"A car will travel faster not only if you press the accelerator, but also if you remove the speed bumps." —James Clear

And now for this week's curated round-up...

💌 Round-up

💻 From My Desk

Reduce Redundancy to Enhance Understanding
Some authors use redundant terms or phrases that unnecessarily repeat words or meanings. Check out 40 common redundancies that you can "subtract" from your writing.

👓 Reading

Magazine published serious errors in first AI-generated health article
"...it contained persistent factual mistakes and mischaracterizations of medical science that provide readers with a profoundly warped understanding of health issues...[The magazine] seems to have fallen into the same trap: seeing that AI systems like ChatGPT can easily churn out confident-sounding content, and mistaking that conviction for accuracy."

Paper-mill detector put to the test in push to stamp out fake science
“Publishers are testing prototypes of automatic systems to flag submitted manuscripts bearing the hallmarks of paper mills — businesses that produce fake research papers.”

🧰 Tools

Numerical2
While we're on the topic of subtracting, I thought I'd share my favorite calculator app. I really like the functionality and customizability of this (free!) calculator. But what I love most is that I can see the history of my calculations so I can easily compare formulas and values.
 

📝 Challenge

Open up your calendar and look at your schedule for next week. What could you remove to free up space for something that is more important to you?

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Simplicity, Illusion, and Machines as Tools

I've been thinking a lot about simplicity in writing. Many of us have heard the mantra "keep it simple and straightforward." Yet, when it comes to scientific and medical writing, many authors use "keep it complex and confusing."

Part of this problem is rooted in the curse of knowledge, which means that we unintentionally assume that our readers know what we know. And this curse also applies to the language we use. We unintentionally assume that readers are fluent in the same "specialist" language that we use.

But another part of the problem lies in our egos. We want to "sound" smart, prestigious, or sophisticated. But complex language only gives us the illusion of these qualities.

The reality is that when we use complex language, readers will feel confused, bored, or frustrated. And they will associate those feelings with the work and with us as the authors. So, complex language creates the opposite of what we seek.

We can also greatly benefit from taking the time to explain things simply. Because explaining things simply also helps us clarify our thinking. In the words of one of the most renowned scientists, Albert Einstein, "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.”

So, throw out the jargon, long sentences, and big words to clarify your thinking, connect with readers, and showcase your knowledge.

And now onto this week's curated round up...

💌 Round-up

🎉 Featured

How to Develop Conscious Communication Skills
If you missed my podcast interview with Alex Howson on Write Medicine, you can now watch our conversation on YouTube. We talk about communication in relationship building, how to cultivate a communications mindset, and tools and practices to develop self-awareness in your work.

👓 Reading

Why Simple is Smart
“Complicated language and jargon offer writers the illusion of sophistication, but jargon can send a signal to some readers that the writer is dense or overcompensating.”

ChatGPT is fun, but not an author
“Machines play an important role, but as tools for the people posing the hypotheses, designing the experiments, and making sense of the results. Ultimately the product must come from—and be expressed by—the wonderful computer in our heads.”

💬 Quote

"The simpler you say it, the more eloquent it is." — August Wilson
 

📝 Challenge

This week, review your writing and substitute short words for long words to simplify the language and signal to readers that you want to connect with them and make their job easier.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: AI, Integrity, and Thinking

I've been getting a lot of questions about the future of writing and editing with the new AI tools that have become available. I see pros and cons to these tools. So, I thought I'd create a themed edition of this newsletter to share some of what I'm thinking about.

One big thing on my mind is integrity.

The aspect of integrity that many people are thinking about is plagiarism. And rightfully so.

But I think that the integrity also extends to the science itself. For example, an AI tool cannot review a publication and tell you whether you believe that the research had sound methods, a robust analysis, or valid interpretations. You only get that information from analyzing and interpreting the research in the context of your unique knowledge and thinking. And this thinking is what stimulates novel ideas that advance science.

In other words, AI tools can strip away valuable opportunities for you to think critically. And if you strip away your opportunities to think critically, you also strip away your opportunities to think uniquely. And your unique thinking is what you have to offer your field and the world.

And now onto the good stuff...

💌 Round-up

👓 Reading

Tools such as ChatGPT threaten transparent science; here are our ground rules for their use
“…researchers using LLM tools should document this use in the methods or acknowledgements sections. If a paper does not include these sections, the introduction or another appropriate section can be used to document the use of the LLM.”

Why AI won’t replace human editors – and AI agrees
From ChatGPT: "While I can assist with proofreading, editing and generating new content, I lack the human creativity, intuition and critical thinking that are necessary for professional copyediting...Additionally, copyediting is not just about checking grammar and syntax, but it also includes making sure that the text is written with a specific tone, style and audience in mind, which requires a human understanding of the context and the meaning behind the words."

🧰 Tools

GPTZero
Are you concerned that your students will use AI tools for assignments? Check out GPTZero, which will give you a holistic score that indicates how much of a document is written by AI.
 

📝 Challenge

Take a few minutes to think beyond the potential convenience of using AI technology for writing. How might these tools be harmful for advancing your thinking and career?

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Fonts, Authorship, and Apps

I recently read an article about a feud over a font type. The US State Department recently changed from using a traditional serif font to a more modern sans serif font. Apparently, this change "ruffled feathers" among staff. But this change will make the documents more accessible for people who use screen readers—and more readable for everyone.

I recommend this same change to scientific and medical authors. A sans serif font, such as Helvetica or Arial, will make your writing easier to read than a serif font, such as Times New Roman. But if a journal or funding agency specifically requests a serif font, then I write and edit in my preferred font and then change the font right before submission.

What's my favorite font? Helvetica. A graphic designer convinced me to switch to this font, and I've been a fan ever since. But Arial comes in at a close second.

I encourage you to also make the switch to using a sans serif font by default. And while you're changing the font, change the text from justified to left-aligned as well. Left-aligned text is much easier to read than justified text.

And now onto the good stuff...

💌 Round-up

💻 From My Desk

Spot the Difference Between Formally and Formerly
A member of the Redwood Ink community reached out to me about writing an article on the difference between the words "formerly" and "formally." I love to help and happily obliged. Do you have a topic in mind that you’d like me to write about? Hit reply and let me know!

👓 Reading

Unearned authorship pervades science
"Around 69% of researchers based in Europe and roughly 55% in the United States said that they were aware of co-authors being listed who hadn’t contributed sufficiently..."

Not sure if an author contributed sufficiently? Check out the recommendations from the ISMPP Authorship Task Force.

🧰 Tools

Papers
One of my clients recently introduced me to the Papers app. This app has powerful features to help you find, organize, read, annotate, cite, and share scholarly literature.
 

💭 Thoughts

To editors and reviewers, all drafts are first drafts.

📝 Challenge

Go into Word and change the default font to a sans serif font, such as Helvetica or Arial. Then you will automatically use that font whenever you create a new document.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Self-Investment, Novel, and Disruption

I recently finished an excellent book called The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwarz. I pulled a lot of great insight from the book, but one excerpt really stood out to me.

"...the biggest and most rewarding kind of investment is self-investment, purchasing things that build mental power and proficiency."

I agree with this sentiment. Investing in education and personal growth is something that can't be taken away from you, as a car or house might. And expanding your knowledge and thinking is an investment that will pay dividends for many years to come.

Don't worry. This message isn't my ploy to get you to sign up for my masterclass (although I'd love to have you!). But I want to encourage to you pursue self-investment, whether that be picking up a new book on writing, learning to meditate, or cooking a new recipe. We can all benefit from developing and cultivating our minds in new ways.

Now onto the good stuff...this week's round-up.

💌 Round-up

🎉 Featured

Re-elected Board Member for the AMWA Northern California Chapter
I am delighted to share that I was re-elected as a Board Member and the Communications Committee Chair for the AMWA Northern California Chapter. I am so excited to continue helping the organization enhance its communications this year.
 

💻 From My Desk

The Declining Power of the Word “Novel” in Science
Many authors use the word novel hoping to highlight the novelty and significance of their work. And some authors believe this word helps to persuade readers. But the word novel is losing its power and even fueling distrust in science.
 

👓 Reading

The Consolidation-Disruption Index Is Alarming
"Science may have a deficit of disruption precisely because the industry doesn’t know how to navigate its crisis of plenty—too much knowledge to synthesize, and too many papers bolstering their authors’ reputation without expanding the frontier of science."

Abstracts written by ChatGPT fool scientists
"An artificial-intelligence (AI) chatbot can write such convincing fake research-paper abstracts that scientists are often unable to spot them....Researchers are divided over the implications for science."
 

📝 Challenge

Use the Find feature to identify the word novel in your writing. Then delete the word and review the text to ensure the language meaningfully highlights the novelty of the work.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Mindset, Opportunity, and Time Blocking

We've been getting a lot of rain in the Bay Area lately. I'll admit that I've felt disappointed that I can't run on the trails like I want to. But with the recurring droughts we've had, I'm grateful for every drop of rain we can get.

This gratitude mindset made me wonder...

What if we could shift our mindset on the dreaded Reviewer #2?

We may feel disappointed when Reviewer #2 rejects our manuscript or grant. But what if we shift our mindset to gratitude for Reviewer #2 helping us to make our work better?

What do you think?

Now onto my latest curated round-up...

💌 Round-up

🎉 Featured

Conscious Communication in CME Content Creation
I was thrilled to speak with Alex Howson on her fantastic podcast, Write Medicine. Check out the episode to hear our conversation on cultivating client and colleague relationships, expanding your communication and mindfulness skills, and taking advantage of tools to make your correspondence easier.

👓 Reading

Kid-edited journal pushes scientists for clear writing on complex topics
”…the goal is not just to publish science papers but also to make them accessible to young readers like the reviewers. In doing so, it takes direct aim at a long-standing problem in science — poor communication between professionals and the public.”
 

💭 Thoughts

Writing a great first draft robs you of a valuable opportunity.

The opportunity to refine your writing is an opportunity to refine your thinking.
 

📝 Challenge

Go into your calendar and block dedicated time for writing that repeats every week of this year. This time blocking will prioritize your writing and create a routine that helps you form a writing habit.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Resolutions, Ease, and Passive Voice

Happy New Year!

I'm doing something a little different this year. Rather than choosing a word to help me set an intention for the year, I'm choosing a question. 

How can this be easy?

As you know, I already use a similar philosophy to guide my writing and editing: make the reader's job easy. But this year, I want to apply this guiding question to all other areas of my life, from my business to my personal activities. But most importantly, I want to make things easier—and more enjoyable—for you. 

So, the first thing I'm doing is creating a little name for this newsletter so that you know what it is when it arrives in your inbox. I'm calling it Interlude.

Historically, an interlude is a pause in a play or other entertainment during which the audience can enjoy music or a short drama. So, in essence, an interlude is a break in a story when you can enjoy something else. I want this newsletter to be a break in your busy day when you can enjoy something different than the typical emails in your inbox. My hope is that you will grab a cup of coffee, tea, or other favorite beverage to pause and enjoy the Interlude.

So, let's get to it. Here is my latest round-up of tips, tools, and resources.

💌 Round-up

🎉 Featured

Invited Board Member for the AMWA Journal
I am delighted to share that I was recently invited to join the board of the AMWA Journal. I am looking forward to working with a fantastic team to develop insightful and informative issues in the upcoming year.

👓 Reading

Public Access to Scientific Research Findings and Principles of Biomedical Research—A New Policy for the JAMA Network
"Beginning in 2023, JAMA and all of the journals in the JAMA Network will adopt a new policy that permits authors of original research investigations to deposit their accepted manuscript in a public repository of their choosing immediately on the day that the manuscript is published by the JAMA Network."
 

💭 Thoughts

Writing with passive voice is a lot like cooking with salt.

You need a little to tie things together. But too much leads to indigestible writing.
 

📝 Challenge

This week, use the Editor function in word to find passive voice in your writing. Then ask yourself whether you are using it intentionally to enhance the writing or simply by habit.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Past-Year Reviews, Misused Words, and Deep Reading

The end of the year is near! In the final days of each year, I like to do a year-end review. For this process, I follow Tim Ferriss' advice on "past-year reviews," but I add my own twist.

When I review my calendar, I also include the time I block to work on projects. That way, I not only review what people and activities nourish me, but also what projects motivate and inspire me. This process has helped me identify what drains me and what motivates me so that I can focus on what I am most passionate about—helping you to be the best writer you can be.

So at the end of this year, I encourage you to do a past-year review. And in the new year, commit to doing less of what drains you and more of what nourishes you.

"When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life." – Jean Shinoda Bolen

Now onto my latest curated round-up of the best tips, tools, and resources on scientific and medical writing.

💌 Round-up

🎉 Featured

The 5 Most Commonly Misused Words in Medical Writing (According to an Editor)
I am delighted to share my latest publication in the AMWA Journal. In the article, I describe how ambiguous, inaccurate, or imprecise words encourage ambiguous, inaccurate, and imprecise thinking in readers. And I clarify how to effectively use the five words that I believe are the most commonly misused words in scientific and medical writing.
 

💻 From My Desk

10 Most-Read Scientific and Medical Writing Articles of 2022
At the end of each year, I like to do a year-end review to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. Part of this process involves reviewing which of my articles were most read during the past year. These 10 articles were the most read in 2022.
 

📆 Upcoming

Scientific Writing Masterclass – Starts January 30, 2023
Do you want to master the craft of writing in the new year? Join my masterclass to transform you writing into clear, concise, and compelling stories. Space is limited. Registration closes January 23, 2022, or when the class is full.

👓 Reading

These are the top 10 most passive-aggressive phrases you’re probably using in email
"Unfortunately, the human brain naturally skews toward the negative. Your message may come across as aggressive, condescending, or just plain rude, when that was never your intent."

Before you click “submit,” be your own first reviewer
"For various reasons...manuscripts may be rushed to submission while lacking consistency. This article provides a clear outline of the final round of checks for section consistency, subsection consistency, and overall coherence that a scientific manuscript should undergo before submission."

Retracted papers originating from paper mills: cross sectional study
"The rise of paper mills is a new ethical problem in research and, more specifically, in publication ethics. Not only does this issue entail the sale of authorship, but these types of papers have also been observed to contain fabricated and manipulated data and images, thus disseminating false results in scientific literature. "

🎧 Listening

This is your brain on 'deep reading.' It's pretty magnificent.
As our world has become more digitized, we consume information in different ways. And how we consume information affects how we process and retain that information. In this podcast, Maryanne Wolf talks about the act of reading, how our brains process information that we read digitally versus in print, and how the abundance of information we process is rewiring our brains.
 

💭 Thoughts

Editors are essentialists. They subtract everything that is not needed to add vitality to the ideas and the story.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Keywords, Feelings, and Conscious Writing

A couple of weeks ago, I attended my first in-person conference since the pandemic started. I had a fantastic time connecting with medical writers and editors from all over the country. And I came back energized with new knowledge and ideas that I can't wait to share with you when they're ready.

Now onto my latest curated round-up of the best tips, tools, and resources on scientific and medical writing.

💌 Round-up

🎉 Featured

Conscious Writing
I'm so delighted to share that the AMWA Journal invited me to be a regular contributor in a column I titled "Conscious Writing." In every issue, I will share tips to help medical writers and other authors bring awareness and intention to their craft. The winter issue comes out next month, so keep your eyes out for my first article in the series.
 

💻 From My Desk

How to Choose the Best Keywords for Your Research Manuscript
Keywords are important for indexing manuscripts and making them easier to retrieve with search engines. To help people find your article—and to make the greatest impact—follow these 7 tips for choosing the best keywords for your manuscript.
 

📆 Upcoming

Writing Journal Club – November 30, 2022, 11 am Pacific
Join fellow scientists, clinicians, and trainees as we explore the strengths and weaknesses of scientific and medical manuscripts.

👓 Reading

Science’s no-fee public-access policy will take effect in 2023
"The publisher of the prestigious journal Science will soon allow the authors of its research papers to make public an almost-final version of their manuscript in a repository of their choice immediately on publication, without paying any fees."

Journal seeks to upend scientific publishing by only reviewing—not accepting—manuscripts
"eLife—a nonprofit, selective, online-only journal that focuses on the life and medical sciences—announced it will cease accepting or rejecting manuscripts for publication, instead offering only peer reviews of manuscripts."

Authorship climate: A new tool for studying ethical issues in authorship
"We found that individuals who tend to have more power on science teams perceived authorship climate to be more positive than those who tend to have less power...Individuals with more marginalized identities also tended to perceive authorship climate more negatively than those with no marginalized identities."

🧰 Tools

TextExpander
TextExpander has been a huge timesaver for me. I tend to write similar emails to clients or the same comments in writing projects I am editing. To streamline the process, I created templated text for emails, comments, and more in TextExpander. I highly recommend this software if you find yourself writing the same things over and over again.

💬 Quote

“It’s more important to influence people than to impress them.” –Adrian Rogers
 

💭 Thoughts

Facts don’t persuade. They inform.

Feelings persuade. They spark emotions that influence thoughts and actions.

The best way to tap into those feelings is to tell a story.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Generosity, Presentations, and Short Words

I've been doing quite of bit of speaking and teaching this year. And you know what? I'm one of those weirdos who enjoys giving presentations.

Sure, I feel nervous being in front of everyone (even virtually). But I "rechannel" that feeling of nervousness to feelings of excitement and gratitude. I'm excited to share knowledge and grateful that the attendees are sharing their most valuable assets with me: their time, energy, and attention.

I recently read an article that said you can overcome your fear of public speaking by "speaking with a spirit of generosity" and focusing on "helping the audience." I think this spirit is what helps me "rechannel" my nervousness. I feel fulfilled by helping others and being generous in the ways that I can.

What do you do to overcome your fears of public speaking? Reply to this email and let me know. I'd love to learn your strategies.

Now onto my latest curated round-up of the best tips, tools, and resources on scientific and medical writing.

💌 Round-up

💻 From My Desk

How Short Words Add Clarity to Your Scientific and Medical Writing
Many authors use long words in their writing. Often they fear that using short, simple words will seem simplistic and offend readers. But short words are a key element of clear writing.

10 Things to Avoid Saying in Your Research Presentation
To help you feel more prepared—and less nervous—during your next presentation, avoid saying these 10 phrases. You'll be well on your way to making a great impression on your audience.
 

📆 Upcoming

The Backbone of Manuscripts: Supporting Your Writing With Storytelling – November 5, 2022, 9 am Mountain Time
Are you attending the 2022 AMWA Medical Writing & Communications Conference in Denver, CO? If so, I hope to see you during my education session on storytelling as a key element of manuscripts.

👓 Reading

Atlas of the Heart, by Brené Brown
Although this book focuses on clarifying the language of emotions and the human experience, Brené emphasizes the importance of the words we use to communicate. I correlate much of what she says with how to write in a way that connects with readers.

An update to SPIRIT and CONSORT reporting guidelines to enhance transparency in randomized trials
"The SPIRIT and CONSORT checklists...are being updated to reflect recent advances and improve the assessment of healthcare interventions."

Analysis of Sex and Gender Reporting Policies in Preeminent Biomedical Journals
"There is a paucity of policies outlining appropriate collection and reporting of sex and gender variables, even among the most influential biomedical journals."

💬 Quote

“Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say 'infinitely' when you mean 'very'; otherwise you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.” —C.S. Lewis
 

💭 Thoughts

If you don’t have time to refine your writing, when do you have time to refine your thinking?

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Relationships, Reverse Outlines, and “Academic Year” Resolutions

Fall is in the air! On my morning walks with the little guy, I'm starting to feel the crisp air of the fall season. I love that feeling.

Fall also marks the start of the academic year. I know that many researchers like to set New "Academic Year" Resolutions, such as submitting more grant proposals or papers. Although I'm technically not on an academic calendar, I still see this time as a great opportunity to revisit my goals for the year and reinvigorate my energy to accomplish them.

What goals do you have for this academic year? Reply to this email to let me know. I'd love to hear from you.

Now onto my latest curated round-up of the best tips, tools, and resources on scientific and medical writing.

💌 Round-up

🎉 Featured

Building Meaningful Relationships and a Positive Reputation With Your Clients and Colleagues 
I'm so delighted that my presentation on building relationships at the Pacific Coast Conference was featured in AMWA NorCal's Pacemaker newsletter. If you'd like to see the presentation, the article tells you how you can get access to the recording.
 

💻 From My Desk

How to Find Problems in Your Draft with a Reverse Outline
Have you reviewed a document and thought that the organization was off, but you couldn’t pinpoint the problem? A great way to help you find the problem is to create a reverse outline.
 

📆 Upcoming

Enlighten Experts with Simple Language: The Power of Plain Language in Scientific Writing – September 26/28, 2022
I'm so excited to facilitate a workshop for the Master of Science in Clinical Investigation program at Vanderbilt University. We'll be discussing my favorite topic: the value of using simple language to enlighten expert readers.

Writing Journal Club – October 19, 2022, 11 am PT
Join me and fellow scientists, clinicians, and trainees as we explore the strengths and weaknesses of a scientific or medical manuscript.

👓 Reading

White House Pushes Journals to Drop Paywalls on Publicly Funded Research
"The policy, hailed by researchers as 'transformational,' will be fully in place by 2026 and make publicly financed research available immediately at no cost."

GRReaT expectations: are editable templates the future of manuscript writing?
"Authors may soon be able to use the GoodReports.org website to generate a manuscript template incorporating the recommended reportable items from the most appropriate set of EQUATOR reporting guidelines."

Clear Writing Q&A with Ben Riggs from Kettering Health
"In this engaging interview, Ben Riggs confronts the assumptions that lead to unclear communication and shows us the empathy that we should have for readers facing life-changing decisions."

🎧 Listening

Top 10 Tips for Writing Your Scientific Paper
In this podcast, the Editor-in-Chief of Radiology and a scientific editor share their top 10 tips for writing a scientific paper.
 

🖥️ Watching

How to Use Writing to Sharpen Your Thinking
In this 6-minute video, Tim Ferriss offers some great tips on how to use writing to improve your thinking, revise your drafts, and seek advice from others who review your writing. 
 

💭 Thoughts

Even the best writers need editors.

Olympians have coaches. CEOs have mentors. Presidents have advisors.

An editor will help you become the best writer you can be.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Persuasion, Plagiarism, and Perseverance

I hope that you are enjoying the final few weeks of summer.

I just got back from a short trip to my hometown. The drive takes a few hours, so I like to use the time to listen to some of my favorite podcasts. On this trip, I listened to an interview with Gary Klein on The Knowledge Project. In the interview, Gary shared insights on making better decisions. But what really stood out to me was his thoughts on how language is a means of communication and of miscommunication. He highlights how using words with ambiguous meanings can hinder understanding. I highly recommend listening to at least the first half of the podcast.

Now onto my latest curated round-up of the best tips, tools, and resources on scientific and medical writing.

💌 Round-up

💻 From My Desk

3 Pillars of Persuasive Writing That Motivate Readers
Writing persuasively involves carefully considering the three pillars of rhetoric—ethos, logos, and pathos—and the foundation that underlies them.

8 Powerful Patterns to Persuade Your Reviewers
Persuasive patterns can help you organize your arguments to build on what readers know and help them easily understand information.
 

📆 Upcoming

The Backbone of Manuscripts: Supporting Your Writing With Storytelling – November 5, 2022, 9 am Mountain Time
Mark your calendars for the 2022 AMWA Medical Writing & Communications Conference in Denver, CO! I will be speaking about how storytelling underlies the structure of manuscripts.

👓 Reading

Adjectives and adverbs in life sciences across 50 years: implications for emotions and readability in academic texts
"...between 1969 and 2019...an increasing number of adjectives and adverbs were used and the readability of scientific texts have decreased..." 

How to ACTUALLY Avoid Plagiarism
This article discusses the most common plagiarism mistakes and how to avoid them with The Cleanroom Technique.

Factors Affecting the Use of Medical Articles for Citation and Academic Reference
Survey respondents indicated the the language of the article and availability on PubMed/Medline were more important than the country of origin, institution, and impact factor. Other important factors included year of publication, availability on Google/Google Scholar, open access, and free access.

🧰 Tools

Pexels
Are you looking for images and videos for your presentations? This website has become my go-to resource for free stock photos, royalty free images, and videos.

💬 Quote

"Persuasion is achieved by the speaker's personal character when the speech is so spoken as to make us think him credible." — Aristotle
 

💭 Thoughts

Rejection is an inevitable part of science.

Perseverance is the antidote.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal