Deadlines often come with a heavy dose of stress and anxiety, but what if we could reframe them as opportunities for creative breakthroughs, allowing us to produce our best work? Something I’ve found hugely helpful for allowing writers to reframe deadlines is to act as a thinking aloud partner.
Whether you’re an author racing towards a manuscript deadline, a professional finalising a report, or an academic wrapping up a research paper, how you approach deadlines can make a significant difference to your stress levels and the quality of your work.
Reframing writing deadlines with a thinking aloud partner
A ‘thinking aloud partner’ (or perhaps, a ‘thinking allowed partner’) inspired by Nancy Kline’s Time to Think and the work of Peter Elbow in Vernacular Eloquence, involves liberating assumptions and verbalising ideas.
This thinking environment your partner will help to create will be a space where you can freely express and develop your ideas without interruption and is crucial for deep, creative thought.
Why the thinking aloud approach works for writing deadlines
Kline emphasises the importance of giving yourself and others the time and space to think deeply and of focused questions in prompting this deep thought. By vocalising your thoughts, you can explore your assumptions and refine your ideas more effectively.
Thinking aloud helps you:
– Recognise assumptions that are stopping you meeting deadlines
– Clarify your thoughts by discussing them openly
– Identify areas needing further development
– Gain insights that are not immediately apparent through silent reflection
– Be challenged on what you may be overlooking
Focusing on creativity over word count
Earlier this year, I worked with a nonfiction author facing a publisher’s deadline. Instead of stressing about the ticking clock, she was able to reframe the deadline as a chance to enhance her creative vision. With me as her thinking partner, our discussions turned the deadline from a stressor (‘I haven’t got time to meet the deadline’ and ‘I’m not an expert on this topic’) into a tool for fine-tuning her ideas (‘what would I write if I knew I had time to meet the deadline?’ and ‘what would I write if if knew I was an expert on this topic?’). The result was a manuscript that exceeded her expectations and became a source of pride.
Focusing on ideas before language
A senior executive client for whom English was a second language faced pressure with an internal deadline. By focusing on refining her core message through verbal processing, she turned what could have been a stressful situation (‘my grammar isn’t good enough’) into a confident and clear presentation (‘what would I write about if I didn’t have to worry about my grammar?’). The thinking aloud approach helped her shape her thoughts and present them effectively without the earlier stress of the written word (after all, it’s impossible to edit a blank page).
Building confidence and claiming expertise
Currently, I’m helping a PhD student manage a challenging deadline. By using a thinking aloud approach, we’ve alleviated some of the imposter syndrome (‘I don’t belong on this programme’) and enhanced their understanding of their research project’s value (‘I don’t have anything to add to the conversation’). This verbal processing has made writing easier and they’ve become more confident (‘how would I tackle this deadline if I knew I was good enough?’ and ‘what would I write if I knew my research would make an impact?’).
What is a thinking aloud partner?
A thinking aloud partner is someone who listens to your verbalised thoughts, helping you shape and clarify your ideas. They support you by:
– Asking focussed questions that encourage deeper thinking and question your assumptions
– Helping you identify gaps or areas needing development
– Offering feedback without taking over the creative process
– Providing emotional support, especially when deadlines feel overwhelming
Tips for effective thinking aloud partnerships
1. Regular check-ins:
Schedule sessions regularly to discuss new ideas, brainstorm solutions, or review progress.
2. Free-flowing conversation:
Allow your thoughts to flow naturally; your partner can help organise them later.
3. Focused questioning:
Use the Time to think approach to facilitate deep thought.
4. Focused feedback:
Address specific issues or sections where you need help.
5. Accountability:
Use your partner as an accountability buddy to stay on track with deadlines.
6. Virtual or in-person:
Choose a format that suits you, ensuring a supportive space for idea exchange.
The power of speaking for written projects
Peter Elbow’s *Vernacular Eloquence* highlights how speaking can improve writing by clarifying thoughts and refining arguments. This approach bridges the gap between mental concepts and written expression, making your ideas clearer before they hit the page. Often my clients will use freewriting to ‘write though the fog’ but many find that ‘thinking aloud’ can be even more powerful.
Reframing deadlines as opportunities for creativity and growth, rather than obstacles, is entirely possible with the right strategies and support.
How do you approach your deadlines? Have you used any strategies that help convert deadline stress into creative energy? Could a thinking aloud partnership be the key to navigating your next deadline more smoothly?
Let’s embrace deadlines as opportunities for creative triumph.
References:
Kline, N. (2011). Time to Think: Listening to Ignite the Human Mind. United Kingdom: Octopus.
Elbow, P. (2011). Vernacular Eloquence: What Speech Can Bring to Writing. United States: Oxford University Press, USA.
This blog beautifully captures the power of collaboration in the creative process. The idea of using a thinking-aloud partner to turn pressure into productivity is both inspiring and practical. A refreshing read that offers real value for writers and creatives alike.