Study hacks can also help writers

Word count: 185 words

Reading time: Less than 1 minute

This is my weekly installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world to find websites, books and articles to help writers.  Today, I focus on Study Hacks.

The site I recommend this week, a blog, is one of my favourites. It’s called Study Hacks and it’s written by Cal Newport, a 29-year-old computer scientist who is an assistant professor at Georgetown University. Although it’s aimed at students — most particularly those who want to get into Ivy League universities (Newport often tries to talk them out of that goal) — it also explores why some people lead successful, enjoyable, meaningful lives, while others do not.

I can’t remember how I discovered his blog but I think I read somewhere that he managed to get his PhD, launch a blog AND write a book while never working later than 5:30 pm. I was gobsmacked! He writes well and I find his arguments convincing and interesting.

Look for his theory of “deliberate practice” (enter that term in the search field on his blog). I think this hypothesis could be useful for my readers although I don’t believe Newport has yet nailed an adequate explanation for how such practice could work for writers. Here’s hoping he does!

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