Will Clapton: the (academic) writer
Will Clapton is an Associate Professor in International Relations in the School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, UNSW.
Do you see yourself as a writer?
Yes, a particular type of writer. Academic writing, like all forms of writing, comes with its own peculiarities and idiosyncrasies. A large part of learning to write for the academy is developing an understanding of the styles, conventions, and prose needed to grab readers’ attention and make your points clearly and succinctly. Doing so has forged an identity as a specific type of writer.
Do you enjoy the writing process?
I do! For as much as writing might sometimes elicit negative emotions or perceptions, I continue to do it because I enjoy it and because there is immense satisfaction that comes from writing something that is meaningful and important to me. I write primarily for me – yes, I want people to love and applaud my work, but ultimately, I write because I enjoy the process of research and writing and challenging myself to improve with every project. When I decide to pursue a project, it is because there is something interesting to be said about a given subject, something I would want to read.
Do you have a writing routine that works for you? Is there a particular time of the day or place you write best?
I think some would be aghast at how little of a routine there is to my writing. People often do not know that many academics are 1/3 writers, 1/3 teachers, and 1/3 administrators and managers. We fulfil a sporadic, sometimes wildly disparate, set of duties and responsibilities that often makes carving out time for writing difficult. This means that I feel that I need to be flexible and write wherever and whenever I can. Having said this, it does take time to get into a good writing space and frame of mind, so I often try to carve out time each day of the week to do some writing, just to keep things moving. Again though, this can occur at any time of the day between 9:00am–5:00pm (as a rule I do not work after hours or on weekends) on any day of the week.
The one thing I always do is start every writing session by reading and revising everything I wrote in the previous session (unless I am starting a new project). I find that this helps me to get into a good frame of mind and guides me as I commence the writing of new material for that session.
What’s the hardest part of writing for you?
Honestly, it is imposter syndrome and feeling as if academic writing is something I am not very good at. The nagging feeling that you have nothing meaningful to say or contribute is often present, although with time and experience, I have learned to diminish it enough so that it doesn’t cut quite as deep as it once did. A close second here is beginning to write. The hardest part of the actual practice of writing for me is those first few sentences of a new article or book chapter. There is a sense of both excitement and trepidation. It is why it is such a relief to get words on page and settle into the writing process. I am much more comfortable working with material I have already written, no matter how rough it may be, than starting fresh. I find I need to be a couple of paragraphs in before I truly ‘enter the zone’ and start to immerse myself in the writing process.
When I get stuck, I move on to a different section of writing. Sometimes I keep this material, sometimes it is omitted. Often, early drafts of my work resemble slapdash mosaics of bits and pieces of disparate content that I come back to and work into something more orderly and readable over time.
Are there any tips you have for writing or editing your writing?
My most important tip is to believe in yourself and persist – you have something important to say. Your voice is unique, and people want to hear it. This is easier said than done, I know, which is why my second tip is to try to surround yourself with kind and supportive people who will offer constructive feedback and nurture your curiosity and creativity. I have benefited enormously from friends and colleagues over the years and have learned much from those a bit further along and a bit behind in their academic journeys compared to mine.
I would also recommend trying to write clearly – especially in academia, there are unhelpful tendencies towards the use of jargon and long, run-on sentences. Write simply and write concisely. Clear, simple writing is often the best – avoid jargon where possible! The best academic writers I have come across are those that you can actually understand.
Finally, take breaks and pursue an appropriate work/life balance. Writing can easily consume us. It is important to take time for ourselves and maintain our physical and mental health.