by Angela Glotfelter

Tim Lockridge loves workflows.

In his new book, Writing Workflows: Beyond Word Processing (read an advanced copy), written with co-author Derek Van Ittersum, he explores the potential of thinking about your own workflow as a “personal and creative way of approaching writing tasks and knowledge work.”

Tim Lockridge leads a workshop on Reimagining the Work of Writing Through Tools and Technologies.

 Lockridge will be the first ever HCWE Writing Scholar in Residence. Over the course of the semester, he’ll be bringing his expertise in workflows and digital writing practices to the Howe to work with both writing center consultants and interdisciplinary faculty to think about their use of tools and technology.

The room is packed for his first HCWE workshop, Reimagining the Work of Writing Through Tools and Technologies. Attendees pass around colored pencils, markers, Post-it notes, and different kinds of paper.

What does your writing workflow look like? How do you feel about the tools and technologies you use? How flexible are they? Do they allow you to quickly save your ideas? Can you reuse those ideas easily? And, most importantly: Can you make your writing workflow work better for you?

These are the questions workshop participants explore as they create colorful workflow maps and talk about their ideas with their colleagues.

Lockridge explains the workflow mapping process.

Participants create workflow maps.

Participants discuss their workflow maps.

They end by exploring new software for mind-mapping, outlining, note-taking, drafting, and more. The world of writing software is actually much larger than Microsoft Word and Google Docs, Lockridge says.

Lockridge’s parting advice is to take control over your workflow, asking yourself what software you want to use, for what, and why. Instead of letting software dictate your writing process, let your writing process help you imagine what new tools might offer.

Stay up-to-date with more from Lockridge and the HCWE by following the HCWE on Twitter at @HCWEMiami and Facebook and keeping an eye on our events calendar.

Learn more:

• Read the advanced copy of Lockridge’s new book, Writing Workflows: Beyond Word Processing, written with co-author Derek Van Ittersum and follow Lockridge on Twitter at @timlockridge 
• Visit Lockridge’s personal website 
• Follow the HCWE on Twitter at @HCWEMiami and Facebook to hear about upcoming events and opportunities
• Stay up-to-date with HCWE events

Participants end by exploring new software.