How Writing Retreats Unlock Creativity: Insight from Dr. Vani Naik

Stories of Change & Creativity

Are you a professor, researcher or writer? Do you battle with distraction and writer's block? If so, a writing retreat might be just what you need to finish your project. Retreats provide academics with distraction-free environments to focus solely on their writing projects, helping them make significant progress in a short time.

While teaching a class at Queen Margaret University in Scotland, I stumbled upon a writing retreat just down the hall from my classroom. I asked Dr. Vani Naik, Researcher Developer at Edinburgh Napier University, for a quick interview on my iPhone. I'm fascinated with the creative process and thought it could make for an interesting podcast episode. Let me know what you think.

"When you're writing, you're writing, and when you're not writing, you're not writing" - Vani Naik

Key Takeaways

• Writing retreats separate participants from daily demands and distractions
• Structured 90-minute writing sessions create focused blocks of productive time
• Creative elements like guided walks, yoga, and puzzles enhance productivity
• Building community and acknowledging participants personally creates a supportive environment
• Sustainable practices academics can incorporate into their regular routines
• Separating writing time from non-writing activities is crucial for productivity
• Creative approaches to academic writing challenge traditional views of academic seriousness
• Participants consistently are surprised at how much they accomplish in short periods
• Setting clear boundaries around writing time (out-of-office replies, phones away) enhances focus
Bio:

Dr Vani Naik is Researcher Developer at Edinburgh Napier University, where she supports researchers with their professional development. She’s particularly interested in supporting career development, as she recognises how much enjoying your work impacts on wellbeing. She’s carved out an enjoyable working life so that the “Sunday Scaries” don’t apply, and works to foster this in others. Apart from curating creative writing retreats, she is also keen to support professional development for researcher developers. She is part of an international committee creating one-to-one mentoring pairs, and a UK scheme for peer mentoring circles.

What Vani loves about her work is that she can create practical impact from her theoretical PhD thesis work on academic career pathways to the professoriate for women engineers. She has also started her own business with a view to sharing creative practices, providing consulting services to individuals and higher education institutions. Her main interest throughout all her roles is transforming academic barriers into bridges, ensuring that researchers thrive in any chosen career pathway.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Writing Retreat Concept (00:00:00)

2. Importance of Distraction-Free Environment (00:01:52)

3. Incorporating Creativity and Wellness (00:03:12)

4. Building Community and Inclusion (00:05:17)

5. Fostering Academic Creativity (00:08:00)

6. Just Say Yes to New Experiences (00:13:40)