Still Waters

Settle down with a notebook and pen — yes, the old-fashioned kind that you hold in your hand! — and freewrite in response to any of the prompts below. Gaze deep into the reflection pool of your own hopes, fears, and fantasies about what it means to write with pleasure. You may be surprised at what bubbles up!

Take quiet time to reflect on your relationship with writing over your lifetime. When did you first discover that you enjoyed writing? What kinds of writing have brought you the most satisfaction and why? What changed about your relationship with writing as it became more professional and academic?

Consider the gap between writing for yourself and writing for others. Are there aspects of your natural writing joy that you've lost sight of in the pursuit of academic success? What would it look like to reclaim some of that original pleasure while still meeting your professional goals?

Reflect on this question: If you could write about anything, in any way, without concern for audience or approval, what would you choose to explore? What does that tell you about what might bring more pleasure back into your current writing practice?

Journal about the deeper purposes your writing serves in your life and in the world. Beyond career advancement, what drives you to spend time thinking deeply and sharing those thoughts with others? What impact do you hope your writing will have on readers, on your field, or on society?

Think about the questions that most genuinely fascinate you, whether or not they fit neatly into your current projects. How might you create more space for authentic curiosity in your writing practice? What would it look like to let your genuine interests guide your writing choices more directly?

Consider how your writing connects to your values and your vision for the kind of person you want to be. How can your writing practice become more aligned with what matters most to you personally?

Explore your relationship with creativity in your academic writing. What does creative expression mean to you in the context of scholarly work? Are there ways you'd like to be more creative or expressive that feel compatible with academic rigor?

Reflect on your authentic voice as a writer. When do you feel most like yourself in your writing? What aspects of your personality, perspective, or way of thinking do you most want to bring into your scholarly work? What holds you back from expressing yourself more fully?

Think about the relationship between vulnerability and authenticity in your writing. What would it look like to bring more of your genuine self to your work while still maintaining appropriate professional boundaries?

Consider the sustainability of your current relationship with writing. Does your writing practice support your overall well-being, or does it feel like something you endure? What would need to change for writing to become a source of energy rather than a drain on your resources?

Reflect on the balance between challenge and pleasure in your writing life. How might you maintain intellectual rigor while also making space for enjoyment and satisfaction in the process? What would a truly sustainable writing practice look like for you?

Think about how you want to feel about your writing when you look back on this period of your life. What kind of relationship with writing would you want to model for other aspiring writers or scholars?

We’d love to hear how these writing prompts landed with you and whether they stirred any revelations. Please email us at writespace@helensword.com to share your thoughts.