The Australian Association of Writing Programs

Welcome as final student editor for 2009, Natalie. The AAWP Conference is always stimulating (and a great party too). Luckily this site allows us to maintain our networks and keep abreast of each other's research work. It is getting very close to Xmas and I have a final draft of paper before sendinng to Gail. Then there is my exegesis needing to be whipped into formal shape before the New Year dawns. Oh dear, can someone extend my days with extra hours and top up my energy levels whilst at it. I hope I can keep typing into this blog as the year draws to a close.

Call for papers:

The First Annual Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand (PopCAANZ)Sydney. will be held June 30, July 1, 2 in  Sydney.

This interdisciplinary and transnational conference is accepting proposals on ALL aspects of popular culture including but not limited to:

The Art, Media, Design and Writing Disciplines are holding a two day conference in Melbourne on 17th & 18th of November.

http://artmediadesign.synthasite.com/

It is $100 for students and payment can be made by cheue or paypal. There will be a postgraduate session for students of Writing and two streams of colloquia presentations.

Registration is via the website and details of the keynote speakers can be found there also.

Just thought I would let everybody know that the University of Sydney is offering a grant for to attend a Conference on Patrick White in London next year.

Modernist impact/Critical futures
23-25 June 2010
Institute of English Studies University of London

Call for papers

Hi Carol,

Don't feel lonely on this site - even if people aren't posting I'm sure they're reading as usually several 'guests' are around. Besides, there has been much more interaction lately than previously. Also, as you say, maybe we're all being exceptionally good with our time management.

I found a really bracing set of guidelines addressing time management for writers. I think its worth reading, even though I usually  cringe when managerial fads are deployed beyond their natural scope.

The full doc is at 

I admit it I am a lowly Ma but I promise I am working (I use the term loosely lol) towards a PhD, as well as about a thousand other unfinished projects.

How do people cope with writers block? because I'm finding I am struggling with it in my 'hobby' writing ie my personal escape from adademic writing.

Top 3 strategies :

It's a question every PhD student hates. I had an epiphany about it recently: I realised that the response I usually feel is called for - a painfully honest assessment of progress against my timetable - probably isn't even necessary. People ask the question as a conversation-opener; they are nodding in the direction of an all-consuming preoccupation, not initiating an interrogation about whether you're likely to finish on time. It would be sufficient - and more pleasant for both parties - to recount some recent triumph, like finishing a chapter or sending off an article to a journal.