As summer approaches, many PGRs start thinking about carving out time for writing. The longer days, end of teaching commitments, and quieter campus can make it the perfect moment to focus. A whole summer, though, can feel both expansive and overwhelming, especially if writing already carries a bit of fear or uncertainty.

If that’s where you are, you’re not alone. Writing at any stage is demanding work, and it’s completely normal for it to feel daunting. As someone who has written a thesis and is finishing a second novel, I know this feeling well (and still need to take my own advice!).

Start with a plan that feels humane

A writing plan can be as simple as identifying one or two priorities for the summer. A light structure could be a weekly intention, a short list of goals, or a few protected writing sessions, just enough to give shape to your time.

If you thrive under a bit of pressure, you might set an external deadline, such as sending a draft to your supervisor. If you prefer something gentler, small daily targets can work well. After years of trying and failing to hit ambitious word counts, I’ve found that aiming for something achievable (for me, around 300 words) is far more sustainable. It’s a target I can meet even on a busy day, and over time it adds up to roughly 72,000 a year (almost a full thesis!).

Break the summer into smaller phases. This might mean monthly goals, planned rest days, or time set aside for events that support your writing, such as the Postgraduate Research Festival (16 June) or the Postgraduate Research Writing Summer School (14-16 July). These can be valuable moments to think about your work.

Acknowledge that writing feels difficult

Writing often feels exposing. It’s how we test our ideas and ultimately discover if they are any good. It’s normal to hesitate, to second‑guess, or to worry that the words won’t or don’t come out right. None of this is a sign that you’re a bad writer or bad researcher. It’s simply part of shaping and articulating original work.

Be gentle with yourself. Allow drafts to be imperfect, writing to be non-linear and fragmentary, and allow yourself to return to something later.

Make writing a shared activity

Writing doesn’t have to be solitary. Many PGRs find that writing alongside others, whether in  Shut Up and Work or an informal meet‑up with a friend, reduces isolation and makes it easier to begin. If you prefer to work alone, you can still create connection by checking in with peers, sharing small goals, or reflecting together on what’s working.

Remember: slow progress is still progress

You don’t need to transform your writing practice or complete everything on your list. I always remember Stephen King’s words that sometimes his best writing days mean ending up with fewer words than when he started. A summer of writing can simply be a season of steady movement: showing up when you can, taking breaks when you need them, and trusting that the work will grow through consistent, manageable effort.

By the autumn, you may find that you’ve moved further than you expected.

For more from Elizabeth, see her posts on our archive.