The Structure Walk
A conversation with ScholarShape founder Margy Thomas about structural design in writing ⋆
Dear fellow writer,
Welcome to Swordswings, my monthly podcast series for writers in motion. These recordings are intended for you to listen to when you’re moving around — which is a great way to get your writing moving as well.
Today’s episode has a different format than usual, as it was created by my fabulous friend-in-writing
for her Oracles of Academia podcast back in late 2020. Margy is the founder of ScholarShape and my co-conspirator on two structurally complex but delightfully human Substack newsletters, #AcWriMoments and Tarot for Scholars. Margy has styled this 36-minute episode as an interview, titling it “Playgrounds for Revolution: Helen Sword on Structure, Pleasure, and Innovation in Academic Writing” — but it’s based on a longer and very much two-sided conversation about our mutual obsession with structural design in writing.For paid subscribers, I’ve included some bonus content at the bottom of this post: A link to my six-part Swordcraft series “Structural Metaphors,” now collected into a 40-minute video featuring six playful-but-serious metaphors for structuring key aspects of your writing and your writing life.
The Structure Catalyst
Speaking of structure, registration is now open for the Structure Catalyst, my new six-week online course for academic and professional writers who want to dig in and learn more — much more! — about how to build their writing on solid foundations. The course runs from May 17 - June 26, with discounts for WriteSPACE members and Catalyst alumni — or you can sign up for my next Stylish Writing Intensive (June 9, 11, & 13) and attend the Structure Catalyst for free. I’d love to see you there!
If you appreciate hearing about resources like these — or just want to make my day — please take a moment to drop me a heart, leave a comment, and/or click Restack at the bottom of this message. Your enthusiasm and support mean so much to me.🩷
Kia pai tō koutou rā (have a great day) — and keep on writing!
Write more, right now! For exclusive access to live workshops, craft-focused coaching, and premium writing and editing tools, join me and writers from 30+ countries in the WriteSPACE, a vibrant international writing community and resource treasury. To try free for 30 days, click below and enter the discount code SNEAKPEEK at checkout.
Books by WriteSPACE founder Helen Sword
Bonus content for paid subscribers
My Swordcraft short course on “Structural Metaphors” (total run time 40 minutes) features six short, sharp videos exploring metaphors for structuring six key aspects of your scholarly writing: your ideas, priorities, processes, texts, reader’s journey, and writing time. Enjoy!
