Dr Soundarya Soundararajan, medical scientist at the National Institute of Occupational Health in India, reflects on her writing since joining the Researchers’ Writing Academy
Hi Soundarya! You joined the Researchers’ Writing Academy in June 2021. Can you give us an impression of what your situation was like before joining?
I started a postdoc at the National Institute of Health (NIH) in the USA in 2018. During the COVID pandemic, I returned to India, where I had completed my medical doctor and PhD.
I was never taught how to structure a paper or how to make writing flow.
By that time, I had published six papers, of which two as the first author. But I always struggled with writing. And I wouldn’t blame it on English not being my first language – as critical reviewers often would point out. It rather felt like there was a mismatch because I wanted to write but the reality was that I struggled to do it.
I read papers from Nature and Cell, and I sincerely wished I could publish in high-impact journals. But the reality was that I barely managed to publish.
What do you think were the reasons that you struggled to write and publish?
I think there were two reasons:
One, I wish I had received formal training to structure a paper or make the writing flow instead of only receiving edits correcting the syntax of my writing.
Two, I simply did not know what to write. I had the world of time and resources. And I was deeply committed to writing but I didn’t no know how to put words on pages.
And that’s why I struggled. It took me 1-2 years to finish writing one paper.
That’s when I stumbled upon the Researchers’ Writing Academy. The moment I watched your free training, I knew I would benefit from the course and immediately enrolled.
This is by far the best course I have ever attended.
I’m so glad you did!
Oh, I learned so much! This is by far the best course I have ever attended and benefitted from, ultimately! And I don’t mean just the best course on writing, but any course in general. I have never reaped as many benefits from a course as from the Researchers’ Writing Academy.
What are the aspects you liked the most about the Researchers’ Writing Academy?
I saw enrolling in your course as an investment rather than spending money.
First of all, the structure presented in the course struck a chord with me. I am a person who does very well with structures and bullet points and visualised to-do lists. I loved the structure of your presentation. I kept a half-written paper at my side and developed it side by side when I watched the course videos.
That’s fantastic! That’s exactly how I recommend taking the course: To implement what I teach in the lessons immediately in your own work. In what way did the course change the way you write?
I realised I had already taken great notes on my research topic but didn’t know what information to include in my manuscripts and and how to present it. I always used to write lengthy introductions as I didn’t know how to write them in a focused way. After watching your lessons, my notes evolved into sensible introduction paragraphs addressing the broad and narrow problems in my field.
I also loved the storyboarding. Usually, I enjoy data analysis and dread putting my findings together to tell a story. But the storyboarding approach kickstarted my writing, and I started to enjoy the writing process itself!
A weight was lifted off my shoulder. That pressure of wanting to write and dreading it at the same time dissolved, and I could see that my writing flowed. I knew I always had it in me. And your course was the key to that portal. I sincerely would like to thank you for that.
This course was my rescue boat when I was drowning in the writing sea.
Wow, that makes me so happy to hear! I love that you started to enjoy writing because it really can be such a rewarding activity.
Oh, and did I mention I was jobless when I came back from the USA? I had some meagre savings from my postdoc, and with that, I enrolled in your course. I saw that as an investment rather than spending money. Even now, when I look at courses I dread the cost, and I bail. I am happy I did not do that when enrolling in the Researchers’ Writing Academy!
And what I’m curious to know: Did you finish your paper with the help of the Academy?
As soon as I finished the course, I actually produced two papers! One is a systematic review and the other one an original research paper. Both are currently under review.
I am publishing actual papers that I believe anyone would love to read.
Because I realised in your course that I work well with a structured plan on what to write in each step of the process, I since tried to develop a similar structure for my grant writing.
But I realised that it’s actually not so easy to do that! I’m amazed by the level of work you have put in this course. Thank you for your enthusiasm which kept me engaged until the final lesson.
You are so welcome. Having a system for your writing is the best, isn’t it?! Is there anything else you would like to say?
Just that I enjoyed your course thoroughly and learned loads. This course was my rescue boat when I was drowning in the writing sea. Now I enjoy writing, and I am also publishing actual papers that I believe anyone would love to read. And that is my foundation stone for the science journey I am about to embark on.
All the best of luck for your career, Soundarya! It’s a pleasure to have you in the Researchers’ Writing Academy!
