Crayons In My Manuscript

Stacey Ann Garrepy

Crayons in My Manuscript is a writing productivity inspiration podcast for early-career academics whose lives don’t fit the ivory tower mold. Whether you’re parenting, serving, translating your thoughts into your second language, or blazing a First Generation trail into academia, we’ll tackle the challenges, scribbles, and meltdowns (yours or your child’s!) that come between you and your manuscript.   Hosted by Stacey Garrepy, a fellow Ph.D., mom, and scholar who’s been there, each episode offers practical tips, mindset shifts, and real talk about making real progress on your writing, even amid life’s chaotic scribbles. Because meaning is often best found in the margins of our busy, messy, drafts.

  1. 2d ago

    SS1 Ep1 Why Can't I Just START?!

    Why is it so hard to start writing in summer, even though you finally have the time? In this Summer Office Hours episode of Crayons in My Manuscript, I'm getting honest about a question that haunts graduate students, faculty, adjuncts, working professionals, and nontraditional scholars alike: "Why can't I just start?!" If you've ever stared at a blank document, avoided opening your dissertation chapter, delayed a conference paper, or spent an entire writing day doing everything except writing, this episode is for you. We'll unpack the hidden reasons behind writing procrastination in summertime, including: ✏️ Changes in caregiving rhythms ✏️ Lack of structured time ✏️ Fears that emerge ✏️ Why struggling to start isn't always a discipline problem, but rather a case of the “should”s. You'll also hear a personal reflection on my own writing procrastination and a simple reframe that has helped me begin projects when motivation is nowhere to be found. Because sometimes writing doesn't start with what we think of as “writing.” Rather, sometimes it starts with opening the document, annotating a source, drafting one terrible sentence, or simply admitting what's making the work feel difficult. 💬 I'd love to hear from you in the comments: What barriers do you face when you start writing?   🎙️ Crayons in My Manuscript is a writing productivity podcast for graduate students, faculty, first-generation scholars, military-connected academics, parents in higher education, and anyone trying to build a sustainable scholarly life.   If you're looking for practical writing advice, academic productivity strategies, dissertation support, and honest conversations about life in academia, subscribe and join us. #AcademicWriting #WritingProductivity #GraduateSchool #DissertationWriting #AcademicLife #WritingTips #Procrastination #FacultyLife #PhDStudent #ResearchWriting #ScholarlyWriting #AcademicProductivity #HigherEducation #NontraditionalStudent #FirstGenerationScholar #CrayonsInMyManuscript

    12 min
  2. Mar 26

    S1 Ep06 Why This 1 Ritual Makes Writing So Much Easier

    Struggling to focus when you sit down to write? You’re not alone, and the solution might be simpler than you think.   In this video, I’ll share how simple writing rituals (yes, even lighting a candle!) helped me to stop my procrastination loop and start writing with more ease and clarity.   But here’s the truth: It’s not about the candle. Instead, it’s about how your brain responds to patterns, cues, and rituals.   ✨ In this video, you’ll learn: Why writing rituals actually work (it’s brain science-y) How to reduce decision fatigue and start writing faster 3 simple writing rituals you can try today 3 common mistakes that make rituals ineffective   So whether you’re a busy academic, parent (or both!) trying to find focus in a full life, these strategies are designed to help you write more efficiently without burning out.   👋 Hi, I’m Dr. Stacey Garrepy I help busy writers and researchers with full lives build sustainable writing habits, stay energized, and actually enjoy the process.   🎯 Resources Mentioned: 📺 Watch next: How to Beat the Blank Page: https://youtu.be/-NTDLL7ghhc?si=VevetBUR1J-onqyx ✍️ Free writing prompts: https://land.staceygarrepy.com/12prompts   💬 Let’s connect: Instagram: @crayonsinmymanuscript Facebook Community: CIMM Podcast ☕ Support the channel: Buy Me a Coffee → https://coff.ee/staceygarrepy 👍 If this helped you, don’t forget to like & subscribe!

    14 min
  3. Mar 10

    S1 Ep 05 Missed a Writing Deadline? Here's What Every Academic Needs to Hear

    Have you ever had that awful moment at 11:00 pm when you realize… you’re not going to finish your chapter in time? 😱 If you’re a grad student, early-career academic, or scholar balancing research with a full life, you intimately know and feel the pressure of writing deadlines. In this episode of Crayons in My Manuscript, Dr. Stacey Garrepy shares a personal story about missing her own review article deadline, and what it taught her about time management, perfectionism, and academic writing. If you’ve ever thought: • “Maybe I’m not cut out for this.” • “There’s not enough time to write the way I want to.” • “What if I don’t finish in time?” This episode is for you. In today’s conversation we talk about: • Why academic writing deadlines feel overwhelming • Perfectionism’s hidden role in missed deadlines • Building a sustainable writing system (even especially with a busy life) • Time-blocking and the Pomodoro Technique for academic writing • Reassessing deadlines with honesty and self-compassion Whether you’re writing during nap time, juggling teaching and research, or navigating academia as a first-gen scholar, you belong here. Your voice matters. Your scholarship matters. Every sentence you write counts. 📌 Connect with the community: Instagram: https://instagram.com/crayonsinmymanuscript Facebook Group: CIMM Podcast ☕ Support the podcast: Buy Me a Coffee: https://coff.ee/staceygarrepy 👍 If this episode helped you, please like, subscribe, and leave a review; it helps more scholars find the channel.

    10 min
  4. Mar 10

    S1 Ep04 I’m a First-Gen Academic… and I Still Feel Like a Fraud

    If you’ve ever wondered whether you truly belong in academia, whether getting in was luck, timing, or some kind of fluke, I want you to know you’re not alone. In this deeply personal episode of Crayons in My Manuscript, I’m sharing the fear I don’t often say out loud: that one day someone will “find me out,” see how messy my journey has been, and decide I don’t measure up. From rejected grad school applications and changing programs mid-PhD, to NICU motherhood and rebuilding my career on my own terms, this is an honest conversation about imposter syndrome, resilience, and what it means to navigate academia as a First-Generation scholar. This episode is for the first-gen, the parenting scholar, the nontraditional academic, the one quietly questioning themselves. We talk about: • The fear of being “found out” • Why success doesn’t automatically quiet self-doubt • Pivoting when the plan falls apart • Redefining what belonging and success look like for us You don’t have to have it all together to be worthy of being here. We’re building honesty, knowledge, and support in this community. Your story and your research matters.   🔗 Resources Mentioned: 👉 Join the Crayons in My Manuscript community: https://facebook.com/cimmpodcast. 📸 Follow on Instagram: @crayonsinmymanuscript ☕ Support the show: https://coff.ee/staceygarrepy   ✨ Major Takeaway: Don’t try to be someone else. Your story is your strength, and it might just light the way for someone coming after you.   #CrayonsInMyManuscript #ImposterSyndrome #FirstGenAcademic #AcademicParenting #PhDJourney #WritingMotivation #GradSchoolTruths #AcademicResilience

    18 min

About

Crayons in My Manuscript is a writing productivity inspiration podcast for early-career academics whose lives don’t fit the ivory tower mold. Whether you’re parenting, serving, translating your thoughts into your second language, or blazing a First Generation trail into academia, we’ll tackle the challenges, scribbles, and meltdowns (yours or your child’s!) that come between you and your manuscript.   Hosted by Stacey Garrepy, a fellow Ph.D., mom, and scholar who’s been there, each episode offers practical tips, mindset shifts, and real talk about making real progress on your writing, even amid life’s chaotic scribbles. Because meaning is often best found in the margins of our busy, messy, drafts.