Author: Leslie H. Nicoll

Leslie H. Nicoll, PhD, MBA, RN, FAAN has more than 50 years experience as a nurse, researcher, author, and editor. She is the Editor Emeritus for CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing and the current Editor of Visions: Science of Rogerian Nursing Scholarship. She is the Founder and President of Maine Desk, LLC. Writer's Camp is a business venture of Maine Desk and an exciting resource for excellence in writing, editing, and publishing.

Email Hints and Caveats: Advice for Authors

The content discusses essential email etiquette for professionals, particularly authors and editors. Key points include the importance of using a simple, professional email address, maintaining consistency in contact details, creating a clear signature with necessary credentials, and ensuring attention to formatting. Adhering to these standards enhances communication and reflects professinalism.

Using Generative Artificial Intelligence for Reformatting References in Scholarly Writing

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are impacting nursing scholarship by assisting in various tasks, but concerns about accuracy, bias, and plagiarism persist. Authors must ensure the reliability of AI-generated content and disclose its use in their work. For reference formatting, traditional management software is more reliable than AI.

Manuscript Success: Writing the First Draft

Leslie H. Nicoll emphasizes the importance of preparation for successful manuscript writing. Key steps include selecting a journal, preparing guidelines, and creating a Manuscript Math Outline. Writers should establish their environment, select optimal writing times, and utilize short writing periods effectively. Finally, editing and feedback enhance the drafting process for successful publication.

The Manuscript Math Outline

Leslie H. Nicoll introduces the Manuscript Math Outline (MMO), a structured approach to writing that emphasizes single-idea paragraphs. Each paragraph serves as a building block, guiding the manuscript's development while ensuring clarity and organization. Nicoll discusses organizing content and maintaining appropriate manuscript length for publication.

Wrestling with the Muse: The Journey of Learning to Write

Marsha Fowler shares seven essential lessons from her writing journey, emphasizing the importance of writing on topics of passion and understanding personal writing rhythms. She advocates for recognizing one's unique process, whether bolus or steady drip, and rethinking experiences often labeled as writer’s block, viewing them instead as necessary periods of mental preparation.

Template Article Analysis: How To Do It

Leslie H. Nicoll, PhD, outlines a structured approach to effectively analyze a template article as part of the Manuscript Success Process. Key steps include counting paragraphs, identifying heading levels, and adding paragraphs to sections. This method allows for a clearer understanding of the article's structure and is crucial for organizing one's own writing.

The ABC’s of Attribution: Considerations For Why, What, and How to Cite Sources

Michelle DeCoux Hampton emphasizes the importance of accurate citation in academic writing. She discusses personal experiences with citation errors and their impact on research credibility. The article outlines the reasons for citation, differentiates between primary and secondary sources, and offers tips for effective paraphrasing, reinforcing the need for academic integrity.

Live Reporting from INANE!

Hello Campers! I am excited to announce that we will have live reporting from the INANE conference coming up in just a few weeks. Our reporter is Melissa Ann DuBois, a doctoral student at the Tan Chingfen Graduate School of Nursing, UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, Massachusetts. Stay tuned--Melissa will be introducing herself in … Continue reading Live Reporting from INANE!

When References Are Fabricated: A Quiet Warning from the Reference List

Parveen Ali emphasizes the critical importance of accurate referencing in academic work, sharing personal experiences that highlight its role in maintaining integrity. With the rise of AI tools generating fabricated references, she urges authors, editors, and educators to prioritize citation accuracy to uphold trust in academic scholarship and to prevent compromising ethical standards.