Six Tips for Psychiatrists Who Want to Write

In my last blog entry, I wrote about some common mistakes of aspiring writers.  In Part 2, I offer some remedies. 

1. Be a beginner. No matter how experienced you may be as a healthcare professional, you may still be a beginning writer.  Having a “beginner’s mind” is extremely helpful, because it fosters an attitude of curiosity and experimentation and expectation of mistakes. Look for opportunities to learn about writing and the writing process. For example, the American Psychiatric Association has had small workshops on writing for the past two years.
2. Meet other writers.  Join a local writer’s group or class, attend a writing retreat, or find a writing partner or coach. Two prolific researchers at my institution have been collaborating since 1985, and they tell me their camaraderie has permitted an honest and productive working relationship. A writing partner can also tell you when the piece is “good enough” if you are not sure. Other writers can also share notes from the journey.
3. Cultivate new ideas privately.  When nurturing a new creative idea or project you are excited about, keep it to yourself as the idea develops. Sometimes talking about writing can get in the way of actually doing it. Sharing your work with others can come later.
4. Start small.  Writing in a journal is a great low-pressure way to get comfortable with your writing voice.  One step bigger could be writing a wedding or graduation toast for someone you care about.  Ready for more?  Consider starting your own blog on Wordpress or Blogspot and making it accessible to select family and friends.  A blog can also become a structure for writing chapters of a book.
5. Use a moderator for comments.  If you do publish on the internet, it can be helpful to do it on a site on which an editor screens comments for appropriateness. If publishing your own blog, you can choose whether to allow comments and from whom. 
6. Tolerate anxiety.  It is normal to feel uncomfortable when expanding your comfort zone, especially when you are doing something you are really invested in and excited about.  Sharing your work with others can be nerve-wracking too., but it is still worth it. 

The growth of the internet has created myriad new opportunities for psychiatrists to write and publish. Sites like KevinMD.com publish physician blogs and accept open submissions, as do many others. (Editors note: Psych Congress Network is also seeking guest bloggers who want to share their perspectives and clinical experience with other mental health professionals. Write to lauren.lebano@psychcongress.com for more information.) 

Do you write?  What tips do you have for other mental health professionals who would like to write too? 

Leigh Jennings, MD, recently completed her residency training in adult psychiatry at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, where she served as Associate Chief Resident for Scholarly Activity. Follow Dr. Jennings on Twitter at @leighjenningsmd.