Blend your passion with your craft: Artisanal habits in academic writing

Abstract

Introduction: The artisanal dimension of writing, as highlighted in Helen Sword's BASE model, is explored in the context of pharmacy education. Positing that "technical" and "artisanal" are adjectives on a continuum, this viewpoint suggests that pharmacy academicians may be writers embodying a blend of both.

Commentary: Perspectives and pearls from a variety of Mississippi artists and artisans are suggested as ways for academics to embrace artisanal habits as they apply creativity to their scientific writing.

Implications: If authors have employed artisanal habits, it is likely that the readers will ultimately come away with an appreciation for the care that the writer took, and the initiative implicit in the writing to share with others-regardless of whether readers find the content itself to be in line with or counter to their expectations and assumptions.

Keywords: Academic writing; Artisanal habits; Writing habits.