Inside Our Monthly Planning Session at EMERGE: Support, Structure, and a Little Sparkle for AcWriMo

Academic Writing Month (AcWriMo) is in full swing in the EMERGE Co-Writing Community, and last week we held our November monthly planning session. This time, I opened the session to people who are not members yet, and it turned out to be a really meaningful and energising gathering.

We had participants from Belgium, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Austria, and the UK. PhD students, postdocs, lecturers and early career researchers joined to take a moment to pause, reflect, and set intentions for their writing during what is often one of the busiest points in the semester. They all came from different disciplines: history, anthropology, communication studies, linguistics, English literature, and more!

A Moment to Reflect

We began, as always, by looking back at the past month. What did you manage to get done? What felt hard?

This is a simple structure, but it opens the door to honest conversations. One person shared:

“I have so much writing to do and I feel very insecure about it. I do not know whether what I am doing is even the right thing.”

That feeling of uncertainty came up more than once. And it is exactly why I created this community. Writing can feel heavy when you are carrying it alone.

Setting Realistic Goals for Academic Writing Month

After the reflection, we turned toward the month ahead. Some participants are revising a conference paper into a journal article, others are working on dissertation chapters or planning their next steps after submission. Everyone set a clear focus for November and broke it down into smaller weekly goals.

This is how we approach academic productivity in EMERGE. Not by pushing harder, but by breaking things down, acknowledging what is difficult, and building in support through regular co-writing sessions.

Small Treats, Big Motivation

One of my favourite parts of these planning sessions is the moment where everyone chooses a reward for themselves. Something to mark the month. Something to look forward to.

Here is what people shared this time:

🎄 a Christmas market visit 🛁 a spa day 🗓️ a new calendar 🎂 a birthday celebration with friends 🍝 a solo dinner 🖼️ an exhibition visit 📆 a full weekend off

These small rituals matter. They help us connect motivation with care, not pressure.

Internal Interruptions: Letting Go of Perfection

We ended the session with a short mindset exercise. This month, we explored interruptions. Not just the external ones like emails or messages, but also the internal ones that come from within.

One member shared that she often finds herself re-reading and editing the same section again and again. She knows it is good enough, but finds it hard to let go.

That stayed with me. It is something I hear from academics at every level. The fear of submitting something that is not perfect. The hesitation around letting a piece of writing go.

A Gentle Push to Submit

That is exactly why, at the end of Academic Writing Month at EMERGE, I share a submission set with everyone. It includes a printable permission slip that you sign yourself. It is a small, symbolic way to remind yourself that you are allowed to submit your work. Even if it still feels a bit uncertain. Even if it is not perfect.

You Are Not Meant to Do This Alone

After the session, several participants said how much it helped to realise they are not the only ones struggling with procrastination, isolation, or uncertainty. That it feels like a relief to outsource the accountability part. To simply show up, reflect, and get support for planning the next steps.

That is the kind of structure we build in the EMERGE Co-Writing Community. A space to write, plan, and keep going without doing it all alone.

Want to Join AcWriMo x EMERGE?

If you are looking for structured support for your writing — whether you are revising a journal article, working on a dissertation, or trying to finish a research proposal — there is still time to join Academic Writing Month at EMERGE.

You will get access to a co-writing session, planning tools, the opportunity to ask questions and receive advice, and a thoughtful community of peers who get it.

👉 Sign up here and check out the full program.