Writing Commons

“If I waited for perfection … I would never write a word.” 
—Margaret Atwood

Despite our best intentions to knuckle down and write productively on a regular basis, competing demands and distractions—both personal and professional—can make it difficult to stick to a writing routine. Likewise, the pressure to produce the clear, coherent, and elegant prose that is the hallmark of an accomplished scholar can all too often stymie the writing process.

To help you address these challenges, we have conceived of this "Writing Commons" as a space in which communities of graduate student and postdoctoral writers can support each other. At this time, the Writing Commons offers a space in which to write in the company of others and a platform to exchange tips and strategies for writing productively. The Writing Commons is an evolving initiative, so we welcome your ideas for future endeavors.

In the past, we have organized these kinds of activities:

• Daylong "Just Write" Sessions (Downtown and Macdonald Campuses)
• 100 Minutes of Writing (Downtown and Macdonald Campuses)
• Half-day "Rise and Write in the Morning"

Our structured writing sessions follow a modified Pomodoro model that includes a mix of 10-minute breaks and 40-60-minute writing blocks.

Graphos Commons are offered free of charge, but registration is required. Only McGill graduate students and postdoctoral fellows are eligible to participate. 

Spring/Summer 2025