Lucy Hall: the (academic) writer

Lucy Hall (she/her) is a researcher and lecturer at PPLE College, University of Amsterdam. Her work considers the intersections of gender, violence and protection in refugee and humanitarian protection.

Do you see yourself as a writer?

I do see myself as a writer – a chaotic one, but a writer, nonetheless. I often have a burst of inspiration at random times during the day and write notes to myself. If I’m really in a rush, I’ll leave myself a voice recording, so I’ve captured the idea for later. I’m starting to feel more at ease disrupting the disciplinary confines of academic writing and exploring new forms of expression. For example, I recently got to explore the personal, political and philosophical intermingling of pregnancy, academia and civil society. It was fun and maybe even a bit cathartic to reflect on these questions and be taken seriously by colleagues who warmly welcomed my contribution. There was a slight fear writing that chapter – that the response would be ‘it’s too personal, please revise’ – but I’m very happy that was not the case.

Do you have a writing routine that works for you? Is there a particular time of the day or place you write best?

It changes a lot. At the moment I work best in my office, with binaural beats or white noise on. I am usually my most productive before 3pm, so I try to get a few rounds of focused writing done before lunch, then take a break, and then come back to it for another hour before leaving it for the day. I try to not look at emails and aim to get 2 to 3 hours of writing done between 9 and 12. I found working from home really nice for a while, but then the piles of laundry got too distracting.

I love reading about other people's writing schedules. I usually use a timer, turn off notifications on my phone for 45 minutes and just write. After those 45 minutes, I’ll have a drink of water, go to the bathroom, and sometimes even lie down for a 5-minute meditation. Maybe have a snack too, but definitely avoid social media and emails. Sometimes I like the thought of writing in a cute café, but I’m too easily distracted by other people and too easily over-caffeinated.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

For me, the hardest part of writing is knowing when it’s ‘finished’ or when it’s good enough to share or submit. I always feel like there is one more reference I could make, or a sentence that could be rewritten. But sometimes I just need to let it go and submit it.

What do you do when you get stuck?

When I get stuck, I take a walk, or read something that initially inspired me – Cynthia Enloe or Cynthia Cockburn are my usual go-tos. Depending on how many espressos I’ve already had, sometimes walking up and down the stairs to get a coffee will help me get unstuck. Either that, or I just need to walk away from what I’m working on and do the laundry and let the unstuckness come unstuck by doing something else.

How do you feel about the blank page when you're starting a new project?

I feel equal parts excited and daunted by the blank page. Usually, a blank page is an invitation to get out some of the ideas that I’ve been ruminating on. I try to find joy in not knowing where a train of thought will take me, and just go with it rather than sitting down with the expectation I know exactly what I’m going to say. Usually, it’s the writing-thinking-rewriting process that clarifies my thoughts. 

Is there any writing software you use? 

Gosh, no I’m so basic! No. Even when people ask me to put something in Google Docs, I have to hold back a loud sigh, even though I know it's helpful. I’m trying, I’m learning, but yes, I’m pretty basic.

How do you fit writing into your schedule? 

I make writing appointments with myself in my agenda – block the time, close the door. Headphones on and go. I’m also trying to get better at making the most of 30 or 45 minutes here and there, instead of thinking “oh, it’s just 30 or 45 minutes, I’ll wait until I have a 3-hour block to do something”.  And I usually surprise myself with how much I can do in 30–45 minutes. (Although, to be honest, sometimes I’ll just use that time to edit a bibliography or do something that gets me closer to ‘done’, even if it’s not ‘deep thinking’ work or writing.)

Do you enjoy the writing process?

Mostly, yes, I do enjoy the writing process – but it depends on how disciplined I need to be. When I’m more free to write and express myself authentically I enjoy it. When I feel like I need to tick boxes to comply, I enjoy it less. But I understand that’s the academic writing game I’m in. I also enjoy sharing my written work with people who give honest, constructive but kind feedback. So, getting genuinely helpful but critical feedback is enjoyable, too.

Are there any tips you have for writing or editing your writing?

Try not to edit as you write – but also learn how to edit properly. It’s a skill I’m still working on, and learning a lot from Cait about!

Are there any books on writers or writing that you have particularly enjoyed and would recommend?

Stylish Academic Writing by Helen Sword is a classic – I wish I had read that earlier in my academic career. I also enjoyed Marie Beauchamps’ article in Millennium, ‘Doing academia differently: Loosening the boundaries of our disciplining writing practices’. Elizabeth Dauphinee’s The Politics of Exile also knocked the wind out of me – in a good way. Also, because I’m super basic, I am also really enjoying reading anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I’m not going to call it a guilty pleasure, it is a pleasure, and we shouldn’t feel guilty for finding pleasure in other styles of writing as academics! It also helps me switch off on days like today, when I have spent 5 hours writing about complicity in genocide and I really want to go to sleep.