Graduate Writing Group
A writing space for grad students
Are you a graduate student determined to write and defend your dissertation before your funding package expires?
Do you find it difficult to maintain a consistent writing schedule? Would you like to commit to writing regularly?
Join a community of peers who share your experience and can help keep you accountable.
Contents
How it works
Groups of ten graduate students, with the support of a Learning Strategist and graduate mentor, provide a small, informal and encouraging atmosphere for you to focus on your work and discuss your writing goals.
Schedule: Fall/Winter 2019-2020
There is limited space available in the groups and your peers need you to be there for accountability and support, so register only for groups (MAXIMUM 3) you can commit to attending each week. The following groups are still accepting registration:
Monday:
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Ivey Library (New College Library), 20 Wilcocks Street, Downstairs Workroom
1:30 – 4 p.m. UTGSU Building, 16 Bancroft Avenue, GradLoft
Tuesday:
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Koffler Student Services Centre, 214 College Street, Room 313
1:30 – 4 p.m. OISE
5 – 7:30 p.m. Indigenous Writing Group, First Nations House, 563 Spadina Avenue, 3rd Floor Lounge
Wednesday:
1:30 – 4 p.m. Jackman Humanities Building, 262 Bloor Street West, Room 213
4:30 – 7 p.m. First Nations House, 563 Spadina Avenue, 3rd Floor Lounge
Thursday:
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Student Success Centre, 214 College Street, Meeting Room 5
1:30 – 4 p.m. Student Success Centre, 214 College Street, Meeting Room 5
Friday:
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Koffler Student Services Centre, Room 204, Group Room A
Saturday:
10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Grad Room, 66 Harbord Street, Lower Level
Sunday:
1:30 – 4 p.m. Grad Room, 66 Harbord Street, Lower Level
Registration
To register, contact Grad Writing Group, Academic Success at gwg@utoronto.ca.
Grad Mentor Bio
Paula Karger
PhD Candidate, Comparative Literature
Favorite writing quote: "It's hard to beat someone who never gives up." – Babe Ruth
Favorite non-writing activity: Running or walking on outdoor trails
Day & time of my group: Mondays 1:30 – 4 p.m. and Wednesdays 1:30 – 4 p.m.
Grad Mentor Bio
Cristina D’Amico
PhD Candidate, Department of English
Favorite writing quote: "Write. Find a way to keep alive and write. There is nothing else to say." – James Baldwin
Favorite non-writing activity: Browsing the bookstore
Day & time of my group: Thursdays 5:30 – 8 p.m.
Grad Mentor Bio
Maria Dasios
PhD Candidate, Department for the Study of Religion
Favorite writing quote: "I’ve had the same editor since 1967. Many times he has said to me over the years or asked me, Why would you use a semicolon instead of a colon? And many times over the years I have said to him things like: I will never speak to you again. Forever. Goodbye. That is it. Thank you very much. And I leave. Then I read the piece and I think of his suggestions. I send him a telegram that says, OK, so you’re right. So what? Don’t ever mention this to me again.” – Maya Angelou
Favorite non-writing activity: Reading (in print or digitally, silently or aloud, alone or with others, & especially with my kids); outings of all kinds (parks, museums, libraries & coffee shops on rotation)
Day & time of my group: Tuesdays 1:30 – 4 p.m. and Saturdays 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Grad Mentor Bio
Jen Marshall
PhD Candidate, Pharmaceutical Sciences (Collaborative Bioethics)
Favorite writing quote: "Writing is a small door. Sometimes fantasies, like big pieces of furniture, won't come through." – Susan Sontag
Favorite non-writing activity: Biking, skating, birds, ukelele
Day & time of my group: Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Grad Mentor Bio
Jade Nixon
PhD Student, Women and Gender Studies Institute
Favourite writing quote: "Are you sure, sweetheart, that you want to be well? ... A lot of weight when you're well." – Toni Cade Bombara, Salt Eaters
Favourite non-writing activity: Attending Caribbean Carnivals globally. This is also referred to within the carnival community as playin mas'.
Day & time of my group: Thursdays 1:30 – 4 p.m. and Fridays 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Grad Mentor Bio
Niki Stamatelos
MA Candidate, Curriculum, Teaching and Learning
Favorite writing quote: "Think long. Write short." – George Lois
Favorite non-writing activity: In no particular order and preferably all at the same time: Drinking coffee, doing puzzles, and spending time with family
Day & time of my group: Sundays 1:30 – 4 p.m.
Grad Mentor Bio
Sandy Noel
Ph.D. student, Women and Gender Studies Institute (WGSI)
Favorite writing quote: "Writing is really a way of thinking—not just feeling but thinking about things that are disparate, unresolved, mysterious, problematic or just sweet." – Toni Morrison
Favorite non-writing activity: Attending cycle fit/spin classes, followed by a few laps of swimming.
Grad Mentor Bio
Keshna Sood
PhD Candidate, Molecular Genetics Department, Faculty of Medicine
Favorite writing quote: "It's not the writing part that's hard. What's hard is sitting down to write. What keeps us from sitting down is Resistance." – Steven Pressfield
Favorite non-writing activity: Yoga
Day & time of my group: Thursdays 1:30 – 4 p.m.
