Interlude: Conversations, Research Misconduct, and the Superpower of Verbs

I'm very selective about what email lists I join. I know that when I read someone's newsletter, I'm gifting them two of my greatest assets: my time and attention.

This is one reason why I'm so grateful you're here. This newsletter exists because of you. Thank you for sharing your time and attention with me every week.

I also want you to know that this newsletter is a conversation, not a broadcast. I believe that the best ideas and connections come from genuine dialogue. If you reply, I will be at the other end.

If something here resonates, challenges you, or raises a question worth exploring, I hope you'll reach out. I read and reply to every message personally—because that's the kind of exchange I value most.

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

​Want Better Scientific Writing? You Need to Read This Book​
If you're looking to sharpen your scientific and medical writing, I have just the book for you. In this video, I'll share one of my most recommended books, as well as three key takeaways that have had a lasting impact on how I write and teach others to write.

Reading

​Global reporting standard for AI disclosure in research​
". ..several organisations...have joined forces to work towards a Global Reporting Standard for AI Disclosure in Research. ...COPE is joining a group that consists of the International Science Council, the World Conferences on Research Integrity Foundation, STM and the Global Young Academy, bringing together a wide variety of voices and perspectives. This will help with developing a reporting standard that will be useful across research disciplines and for different publishing models."

​Hallucinated citations produced by generative artificial intelligence may constitute research misconduct when citations function as data in scholarly papers​
"...GenAI hallucinated citations might qualify as a provable instance of research misconduct under the U.S. federal regulations when a) the researcher uses a GenAI tool to produce hallucinated (i.e., nonexistent) citations for a research document; b) the citations function as data because they directly support research findings, as in, for example, review articles or bibliometric studies; and c) the researcher demonstrates indifference to the risk of fabrication of the data (i.e. citations) because they did not check the GenAI’s output for veracity and accuracy. Other types of problematic citations such as bibliometrically incorrect citations, or contextually inaccurate citations, are indicative of poor scholarship and irresponsible behavior, but do not qualify as research misconduct."

Listening

​The hidden superpower of verbs​
In this episode of the Grammar Girl podcast, Sarah L. Kaufman, author of Verb Your Enthusiasm, shares the power of choosing strong, dynamic verbs in your writing.

Quote

“Words are magical in the way they affect the minds of those who use them.” – Aldus Huxley

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Reading Profusely, Writer's Block, and Levels of Reading

This weekend is Mother’s Day. So naturally I’ve been thinking about my mom.

In the last decade or so of her life, she wrote a column for the local newspaper. She wrote about life in the little town I grew up in, and she infused her articles with her quirky sense of humor. (If you're curious, ​here's one article​ from the newspaper archives.)

My mom's knack for writing didn't come from a higher education. She graduated from high school and then worked as a secretary for several years before becoming a full-time homemaker.

So you might be wondering, how did she develop her writing skills?

She read, a lot.

Nearly every 2 weeks, she would visit the local library to load up on books on every topic in every genre you can imagine. She often took me and one of my brothers, and we would all walk out of the library with our arms loaded with as many books as we could carry—and they were (nearly) all for her.

She learned to write well not by taking courses and getting degrees, but by reading widely and profusely.

How then did she manage to get a regular column in the local newspaper? She wrote a few letters to the editor. And the newspaper noticed her talent.

Why am I telling you this story? Because writing well isn't necessarily about degrees and credentials. It's about committing to your craft and dedicating the time and energy to hone it—and then building the confidence to share your work.

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

​5 Books to Sharpen Your Scientific and Medical Writing Skills​
Whether you're drafting your first manuscript or polishing your hundredth, having the right resources on your shelf makes all the difference. In this video, I share five essential books that are my tried-and-true recommendations for people who want to hone their scientific and medical writing skills.

Reading

​Ness Letters: Writer’s Block is Optional​
“...your brain encodes information better when you produce it yourself. . . [T]his is called the Generation Effect. A meta-analysis of 86 studies involving over 17,000 participants found that people remember material substantially better – roughly a 40% boost – when they produce it themselves than when they simply read it.”

​The Best Summary of How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler​
“Think of these levels as reading to entertain, reading to inform, reading to understand, and reading to master. When you learned to read in elementary school, you were taught to read for entertainment. If you made it to high school and college, you learned to read to inform. This is where most people stop. But most of the value comes at the last two levels.”

Watching

​How to Improve Your Communication Skills
​In this video, Matt Abrahams and Dr. Andrew Huberman discuss tools you can use to improve your communication skills. They discuss the importance of providing structure to help the audience remember, the power of interactive learning, and the value of reviewing and reflecting on your communication.

Quote

"The expert in anything was once a beginner." — Helen Hayes

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Lower-Impact Journals, "Good Enough" Drafts, and Growth from Practice

Recently, I heard a researcher describe submitting to a lower-impact journal as "settling."

They framed it as the option to consider when the top-tier journals don't work out.

It was a reminder of how much language shapes our perceptions.

A paper in a lower-impact journal is not a consolation prize, or "settling." It's often a deliberate, well-reasoned, and scientifically sound choice. And the journal it appears in tells you almost nothing about the mark it will leave on the field.

Consider three papers that changed science—none of which appeared in Nature, Science, or Cell.

In 2013, Jennifer Doudna published a ​landmark paper​ on CRISPR genome editing in human cells in eLife—a journal that had launched just the year before and had no impact factor at the time.

In 1951, Oliver Lowry published a ​simple method​ for quantifying protein in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. With more than 300,000 citations, it is the most-cited scientific paper in history.

In 1958, Kaplan and Meier published their ​survival analysis method​ in the Journal of the American Statistical Association. This method is now used in more than 70% of clinical oncology research.

None of these articles appeared in a "top-tier" journal. Yet all three are foundational pillars of modern biomedical science.

So I'll keep reminding as many people as I can:

The venue is not the value. A paper published in a focused, rigorous, lower-profile journal is not a failure—it's often the right home for the work.

And finding the right home for your science? That's something to be proud of.

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

​Your 10/10 Science Deserves Better Than 3/10 Writing​
Submitting a "good enough" draft can feel like a relief. But settling for "good enough" comes with a cost: rejected grants, desk-rejected manuscripts, delayed publications, fewer citations, and missed opportunities for recognition and advancement. In this video, I share how your manuscripts, grants, and other research documents are your research products—and how the writing you package them with matters just as much as the science.

Reading

​Academic journals’ AI policies fail to curb the surge in AI-assisted academic writing​
“. . .despite 70% of journals adopting AI policies (primarily requiring disclosure), researchers’ use of AI writing tools has increased dramatically across disciplines, with no significant difference between journals with or without policies. . . Crucially, full-text analysis on 164 k scientific publications reveals a striking transparency gap: Of the 75 k papers published since 2023, only 76 (~0.1%) explicitly disclosed AI use.”

​Continuation of Modifications to Peer Review Practices​

“. . . modifications were made to peer review practices for applications submitted for the January 2026 and May 2026 Advisory Councils...[and] will remain in place for the October 2026 Advisory Council:

• The percent of applications discussed in most meetings will be reduced to 30-35%, instead of the usual ~50%.

• Applications voted by the committee to be in the middle third will be designated as “competitive but not discussed” and applications in the lowest third will be designated as “not competitive and not discussed”. Applications in the middle third will be considered for funding, along with the discussed applications.

• Summary statements will be simplified. . . summaries will have a sentence describing the degree of consensus in the committee vote, plus bullets listing the main score driving points. Summaries for all applications will contain the written critiques from the 3 assigned reviewers. . . Summaries for applications that are discussed will have the overall impact score.”

Listening

​Hear Me Out: How Understanding Accents—Ours & Others—Improves Communication​
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Valerie Fridland and host Matt Abrahams discuss how connection is a collaboration shaped by accents on both sides of the conversation. A few things that stood out to me were that filler words can sometimes be helpful, how we have speaking and listening accents, and the benefits of saying something before you introduce yourself.

Watching

​Growth comes from practice, not perfection
In this Instagram post, Simon Sinek shares his thoughts on AI, how we're so focused on metrics, and how we've forgotten about the value of the process that makes you a better version of yourself. "I don't want them to just say the perfect thing. I want to know why they are choosing the words."

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Unexpected Generosity, Human Editing, and the Illusion of Clarity

These days, everyone seems to be carrying a heavy load. And I've found that small gestures matter more than we may realize.

For example, when I'm walking my dog in the rain, I pick up newspapers on the sidewalk and leave them on the recipient's dry doorstep. Nobody asked me to. But it felt like the right thing to do.

It's an unexpected generosity.

What are some other ways to show unexpected generosity?

• Arrive early to every meeting so attendees don't have to wait for you.

• Submit your work ahead of the deadline to make life easier for your team.

• Share a useful resource, paper, or tool without being asked, simply because you thought of someone.

• Give thorough, constructive feedback on a project—the kind you'd hope to receive yourself.

• Respond to emails and review requests promptly, even with just a brief acknowledgment, so colleagues aren't left wondering.

Unexpected generosity doesn't require grand gestures. It's small choices you make—how you communicate, how you show up, and how you treat the people around you. These small acts can lighten someone's load and even brighten their day.

What are some ways that you like to show unexpected generosity?

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

​How Human Editing Fixes What EditGPT Misses​
AI tools can help with writing, but they can't replace you. Last week, I shared how EditGPT can and can't improve a sample paragraph. In this video, I edit the same sample in real-time, with running commentary on the why behind every decision. From paragraph structure and topic sentences to word choice and reader empathy, this video is packed with tips you can immediately apply to your own writing.

Upcoming

​Early-Career Medical Writers Summit​ – June 8–12, 2026
I'm thrilled to join an incredible panel of speakers in this virtual summit designed especially for medical writers who want to grow their skills and gain confidence in the field. In my session, "Past the Prompt: What Strong Medical Writing Means Today," I’ll talk about why great writing still matters in the age of AI and how you can stand out as the human behind AI-generated text. You'll get expert sessions, exercises to practice new skills, and opportunities to ask questions during live Q&A sessions. Early-bird rate ends April 30.

Reading

​The Voice That Got Away: AI, Authenticity, and the Slow Death of Your Writing Voice​
"What is happening now is that many writers, particularly those who are not confident in their voice to begin with, are choosing the AI's version of their idea over their own. All because even if the AI version is not better it looks more like the writing they have been reading. It is polished. It sounds like expertise. It lacks the friction of a real human perspective. . . AI is not making mediocre writers better, no matter how much we wish it were, for the world would be a better place with more skilled writers. It is making mediocre writers feel better while widening the gap between their written voice and their real one (and ironically destroying the credibility they are seeking)."

​The Illusion of Clarity: How to Test Whether you Really Understand Something
“This exercise forced me to confront what I’ve come to call the illusion of clarity: the confident feeling that you understand something, when in reality your grasp is full of gaps you’ve never noticed. And I’m not the only one falling prey to the illusion of clarity. In a study, psychologists asked participants to rate how well they understood everyday devices like sewing machines, zippers, or cell phones and then asked them to write detailed explanations. After attempting the explanation, self-ratings dropped sharply. The act of actually trying to explain revealed how little people actually knew.”

Quote

"It's hard to build momentum if you keep dividing your attention.”–James Clear

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Frequency Illusion, Editor vs AI, and Polluted Literature

I've been experimenting more with AI to see how it might support my day-to-day work. Most of my experimenting has been with things like video summaries and marketing copy.

Through these experiments, I've noticed that AI tends to favor certain words, like practical, hidden, and quietly. Now I see these words everywhere. And when I do, I immediately think that the text was probably generated by AI.

The same thing seemed to have happened with the em dash—which is a powerful punctuation mark when used sparingly and intentionally.

But as I think more about this, I wonder if it's not necessarily that more people are using AI. Instead, maybe I'm experiencing the frequency illusion (more formally known as the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon).

The frequency illusion is a cognitive bias that makes something you've learned about suddenly appear everywhere, even though its real frequency hasn't changed at all. For example, if you're shopping for a new car and fall in love with a certain model, you start seeing that model everywhere.

So I'm beginning to wonder, maybe the frequency illusion is part of what makes all of this so fascinating. The more we notice patterns in writing through AI, the more we learn about our own biases in perception.

As we keep learning and experimenting, I hope we stay curious and use AI not to flatten our voices, but to deepen them—and to write with even more intention.

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

​What EditGPT Gets Right—and Where It Falls Short​
Many writers are turning to AI tools to refine their scientific and medical writing. In this video, I put EditGPT to the test using a sample paragraph. You’ll see where EditGPT shines, where it stumbles, and what it completely misses—so you can make more informed decisions about when and how to use AI for your own writing.

Upcoming

​From Choppy to Cohesive: Creating Flow in Medical Writing​ – May 2, 2026
I'm delighted to be invited to speak at the AMWA Delaware Valley Chapter's Annual Princeton Forum about a common problem in medical writing: stacking facts in separate sentences without showing how the ideas connect. I'll also share how applying a few key writing principles can create a smooth flow that guides readers through the content, builds on their knowledge, and keeps them engaged. Registration closes April 30.

Reading

​Hallucinated citations are polluting the scientific literature. What can be done?​
"An exclusive analysis conducted by Nature’s news team, in collaboration with Grounded AI, a company based in Stevenage, UK, suggests that at least tens of thousands of 2025 publications, including journal papers and books, as well as conference proceedings, probably contain invalid references generated by AI."

​Journal Submissions Riddled With AI-Created Fake Citations​
“As AI proliferates in academic life, professors are increasingly haunted by phantom citations. . .Gale Sinatra, an education and psychology professor at the University of Southern California, recently asked an AI chatbot for a list of her publications, and it included some real papers and some made-up ones. The fake papers were so convincing she double-checked her own curriculum vitae.”

Listening

​Why so many studies can’t be replicated​
Some researchers have warned that many scientific studies can't be replicated. In this episode of Science Friday, Tim Errington and Abel Brodeur share their findings that only half of papers across economics, education, and psychology could be replicated. Although their work is in the social sciences, much of what they share translates to the health sciences.

Next Week in the Academy

Writing Feedback Lab
In our monthly Writing Feedback Labs, our members can get feedback on their writing through interactive discussions or collaborative revisions. Over the past few weeks, we've been talking a lot about presentations, so during next week's session, we'll discuss a slide deck on pharmacovigilance and safety monitoring in clinical trials. Join us when you're enrolled in ​Scientific Writing Simplified​.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: "Good Enough" Drafts, AI Guidelines, and DOI-First Referencing

I've talked to many researchers who submit "good enough" drafts of their manuscripts. By that point, they're burned out from months—or even years—of collecting data, analyzing results, and writing the manuscript. And they just want to get the draft off their desk.

But when readers have to trudge through dense or confusing prose, they lose interest—and with it, they lose meaning.

The writing might meet the standard for scientific rigor, but it doesn't meet the standard for reader engagement.

Yet engagement is the real threshold for impact.

An engaged reader is more likely to:

• Grasp the significance of your findings.

• Retain your message.

• Apply your insights in research or practice.

• Cite, share, and build on your work.

None of that happens unless your reader connects with your message. And connection starts with writing that feels clear, purposeful, and alive—that respects the reader's intellect and attention.

A “good enough” draft might get the job done, but your work deserves more than that.

Great science deserves great writing.

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

​5 Essential Guidelines for Using AI in Scientific Writing
​AI tools like large language models can be really useful. But they also have risks and limitations—and you are the one who is accountable for how they’re used. In this second video of my series on how to use AI responsibly for scientific and medical writing, I share some best practices so you can confidently and responsibly use these tools for your own work.

Reading

​Towards a DOI-First Referencing Model: Opportunities, Limitations and Implications for Scholarly Publishing​
“This article proposes a DOI-first referencing model as a simplified and identifier-centered approach to scholarly citation. It discusses the opportunities of DOI-based referencing for improving efficiency, interoperability, and integration with digital research infrastructure while acknowledging disciplinary diversity and identifier limitations. The paper argues that prioritizing persistent identifiers can modernize citation practices in an increasingly digital and AI-assisted scholarly publishing environment.”

​Correction to a retraction highlights tortured phrases have been around longer than LLMs​
“While large language models are taking the blame for hallucinations, punctuation and all manner of language choices these days, turns of phrase were being tortured well before the arrival of LLMs. . . ‘Tortured phrases are produced by ‘text spinners’: online websites running a basic algorithm that replaces some words with synonyms, using a thesaurus."

Training

​From AI Curious to Confident​​ – May 4, 2026
Most AI training for medical writers offers generic advice that doesn’t reflect the reality of working with clinical data, peer-reviewed literature, and regulatory standards. In this 2-week bootcamp, Núria Negrão will give you practical, real-world AI workflows with hands-on exercises, real use cases, and live Q&A in just 35 minutes a day. Early bird rate ends April 15.

Quote

"We tend to think of writing as the act of assembling words, but it's a deeper experience than this. Words may be symbols, but they are not abstractions; they are the method by which we express our ideas." – John Warner

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Partial Points, AI Risks, and Responsible Authorship

A few days ago, I was talking to someone about task management and making progress in the small pockets of time available in our schedules. During our conversation, she shared an interesting strategy she uses to track the laps she swims in the pool (thanks, Vijaya!).

When she swims, she aims for 36 laps (or about one mile). But instead of counting 36 laps one by one—which can feel daunting until at least the midway point—she counts in quarter points. After every four laps, she gives herself one point. That way, she only needs to reach nine points instead of 36, which feels like a smaller, more achievable goal.

I found this approach fascinating because it doesn't exactly break a big task into smaller ones. Instead, it organizes tasks into batches that get marked as done when the group is complete.

What could this look like in your writing?

Maybe progress means writing one paragraph instead of a set of sentences. Or revising all the figure legends as one "section." Or as responding to reviewer comments in one section at a time.

I've been batching tasks for a while, so that part isn't new to me. But I hadn't thought about using partial points to make a large project feel smaller and more doable. I'm curious to see how this reframing might change how I approach my work.

Have you tried something like this? Hit reply and let me know—I'd love to hear what works for you.

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

AI in Scientific Writing: Powerful Helper or Risky Enabler?​
Everywhere you turn, you see AI—new tools, clever prompts, and lots of hype about what they can do for your writing. But these tools also carry important risks, limitations, and implications, especially in scientific and medical research. This video kicks off a series on how to use AI responsibly for your writing, starting with some key risks and limitations to keep in mind.

Upcoming

Early-Career Medical Writers Summit – June 8–12, 2026
I’m excited to be speaking about what strong medical writing means in the age of AI at the Early-Career Medical Writers Summit this June. This virtual summit is designed to support new and aspiring medical writers with practical advice from professionals working in the field. You'll get expert sessions, exercises to practice new skills, and opportunities to ask questions during live Q&A sessions. Early-bird rate ends April 30.

Reading

​The complex ecosystem of hyperprolific authors​
". . . hyperprolific ​authorship​ is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, shaped by disciplinary traditions, methodological choices, and structural incentives within academia. It is neither confined to a single field nor governed by a uniform definition. . . [P]erceptions of hyperprolificacy vary substantially. . . with some portraying it as a marker of successful collaboration and others raising concerns about questionable practices. This divergence reflects an underlying tension between valuing high productivity and safeguarding scientific integrity.

​Creating a responsible authorship culture in science: Anchoring authorship practices in principles of transparency, credit, and accountability​
"We propose that fostering a responsible authorship culture requires a shared, principle-based framework grounded in transparency, ​credit​, and accountability. These three interconnected principles. . . will strengthen the credibility of individual research, the fairness of recognition systems, and, ultimately, the trustworthiness of science itself."

...Oh, and if you want a strategy to ensure these three principles hold true for your author team, check out ​this video​ (and free planning tool).

Training

​Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab – April 9, 2026
Can you explain why a clinical practice gap exists—not just describe it? WriteCME Pro is hosting a Root Cause Analysis Practice Lab. In this hands-on lab, you'll learn how to identify true drivers of practice gaps, filter for educational addressability, and write compelling narratives.

Quote

"Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an injury to one's self-esteem. That is why young children, before they are aware of their own self-importance, learn so easily; and why older persons, especially if vain or important, cannot learn at all." – Thomas Szasz

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Refreshing Writing, First Manuscripts, and Causal Language

Spring is here.

I love watching the flowers bloom, hearing the birds in the trees, and feeling that renewed sense of energy and growth in the air.

Around this time each year, I also like to refresh my living space. I do a deep clean, donate things I no longer use, sometimes move furniture and decor around, and open the doors and windows to let fresh air flow in.

As I was doing this recently, I started thinking about how our writing sometimes needs a refresh as well. We can get stuck in old writing habits, forget skills we've learned, or over-rely on writing tools like AI. And now is a great time to tap into the renewed spring energy to refresh our writing.

If you'd like to refresh your writing skills this spring, I just reopened my free 5-day writing challenge. In 5 days, you can challenge your mindset, bust surprising myths about scientific writing, and hone your writing skills in four key ways.

🌱 ​Join the challenge​

Whether you join the challenge or simply choose one small habit to shift, consider this your invitation to give your writing the same care and fresh air you'd give your home this season.

What are you looking forward to refreshing this spring?

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

​3 Problems I’d Fix in My First Research Manuscript
I recently revisited the paper I published in grad school and found myself shaking my head at all the things I would do differently now. In this video, you'll learn three mistakes that I made in that paper and that I see many authors make in their research manuscripts. You'll also learn how to fix them so that your papers are clearer, more persuasive, and easier to read.

Upcoming

Tips and Tricks for Solving Common Grant Proposal Pitfalls​ – April 16, 2026 @ 3 pm PT
In a few weeks, I'll join Kimberly Mankiewicz to discuss common pitfalls we see in grant writing. We'll also share tips, tricks, and actionable strategies for crafting clearer, more persuasive, and more competitive grant proposals. You must be a member of the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences to join.

Reading

​How and when to use causal and associational language​
"Here, we clarify why, if the underlying research question is causal, it is not only preferable to use causal language to articulate the question, but necessary. We also propose clear guidelines for how often misused terms such as 'causal effect,' 'association,' and 'estimated causal effect' should be used in research articles and in reference to which quantities."

​Artificial Intelligence (AI) guidance for authors, peer reviewers, and editors: A content analysis of journal policies​
". . . 62.5% (n = 50) of the journal policies mentioned AI. 96% of these journals did not permit AI to be listed as an author. 54% of journals allowed authors to use AI tools to improve language in their manuscript, whereas using AI to generate images was prohibited by 26% of journals. 64% of journals did not provide any AI-related guidance for peer reviewers/editors."

Listening

​Quick Thinks: How to Create Messages People Remember​
"In this Quick Thinks episode of Think Fast Talk Smart, [Carmen] Simon and host Matt Abrahams explore practical, research-backed ways to make communication more memorable. They discuss why handwriting notes can deepen understanding, how curiosity and tension capture attention, and why communicators should avoid overwhelming audiences with too much information. Instead, Simon encourages speakers to structure ideas so audiences can recognize patterns and return to a clear core message."

Quote

“1. When you write something intended to be read by an important person, go through it and cut every unnecessary word.
2. The reader of anything you publish is an important person.”
–Paul Graham

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Writing Fingerprints, Managing Emails, and Memorable Communication

I recently watched ​this reel​ in which Simon Sinek talks about a Japanese concept called wabi sabi, or the beauty found in things that are temporary or imperfect. He shares an example of ceramics made by humans versus machines, and how ceramics made by humans are beautiful because they're unique and imperfect.

He labeled this "the value of human error."

This idea made me think about writing. I work hard to have zero mistakes in my writing, and as an editor, that's something people expect. But I'm also human, and mistakes happen. And typos can feel like failures, as though they reflect a lack of care.

But in a world with AI, where machines can produce nearly typo-free text in seconds, maybe those imperfections could remind us that there's a human behind the words.

The value of human error.

So maybe our writing imperfections aren’t faults at all. Maybe they're our fingerprints—signs that a real person is behind the text.

Now onto this week's round-up…

Round-up

From My Desk

​Spend Less Time in Email and More Time Writing​
Do you open your inbox and groan at the number of unread messages? Maybe important emails keep slipping below the fold while you’re trying to get real work done. In this video, you’ll learn 7 strategies I use to manage my inbox and protect my time for writing and other deep, focused work.

Reading

​CONSORT-Children and Adolescents (CONSORT-C) 2026 extension statement: enhancing the reporting and impact of paediatric randomised trials​
"As an extension to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) 2025 statement, the CONSORT-Children and Adolescents (CONSORT-C) 2026 reporting guideline aims to improve the quality and completeness of reporting of paediatric RCTs that involve participants aged 0-19 years."

​Trends in scientific output on open science and open access (2015–2024): a bibliometric study​
"Over the past decade, scientific output related to open science and open access has increased steadily and has been disseminated through multidisciplinary sources. This trend reflects the ongoing transformation of scientific communication and highlights opportunities for publishers to implement policies that support open knowledge dissemination."

Listening

Say What Sticks: The Neuroscience of Memorable Communication​
“In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, [Carmen] Simon and host Matt Abrahams discuss how to distill your communication for maximum memorability. Whether you're pitching an idea or presenting to a team, Simon’s practical techniques will help you ensure your 10% message is the one your audience takes away."

Quote

"If your words are simple, people can understand them. If people can understand your words, they can repeat them. And if your words can be repeated, your ideas will spread." – Simon Sinek

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Restitching Writing, Persuasive Pillars, and Preprint Reviews

Earlier this week, I was talking with one of my students about practicing and building confidence in your writing. She shared an incredible analogy for how she thinks about the process (thank you, Tracy!).

She said that she likes to think about practicing the craft of writing like practicing the craft of crocheting. You need to take time to practice and not worry if you make a mistake—because you can always go back, pull out a few stitches, and correct the mistake.

That's exactly what we do in writing. When you notice something isn't working in your draft, you can go back, undo what you wrote, and refine the text to make the piece stronger.

So the next time you sit down to write, I hope you'll remember Tracy's analogy and that you don't have to get it right on the first pass. Just show up, put the stitches in, and trust that you can always undo and revise until you are happy with the result. And with every stitch, you're strengthening not just your prose, but also your confidence in your writing.

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

​The 3 Pillars Behind Persuasive Scientific Writing​
Persuasive writing is not about promotional words like “novel,” “innovative,” and “cutting-edge.” It’s about supporting your writing with three pillars of persuasion. In this video, I share what these pillars are, what you can do to build them in your writing, and what is the foundation that underlies everything you need to consider for persuasive writing.

Reading

Career effects of preprints get mixed reviews from biomedical researchers​
”Nearly half of biomedical scientists worry preprints could spread shoddy research and misinformation. . . [R]esearchers on average do not believe publishing preprints enhances their career advancement. But many acknowledge benefits, such as spreading their findings more quickly than peer-review journals do and helping them find collaborators.”

​Physicians Are Not Providers: The Ethical Significance of Names in Health Care: A Policy Paper From the American College of Physicians​
“The words physician and provider are not interchangeable. Provider undermines the physician’s ethical obligations, clinical integrity, and accountability, as well as trust in the patient–physician relationship. The term should not be used to describe physicians, nor should physicians use it to describe themselves, their team members, or their trainees.”

Tools

​Aligning numbered lists in Word​
Do you ever get annoyed by the default way that Word aligns numbered lists? My colleague Melissa Bogen shared a great mini-tutorial on how to fix this problem.

Quote

“Working smart isn't the opposite of working hard. It's the result of working hard. You have to put in the hours before you can see the shortcuts. You have to learn the details before you can know which ones matter. You have to do the work wrong many times before you discover how to do it right.” –Shane Parrish

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Consistent Practice, "Harmless" Phrases, and Not Disclosing AI Use

I adopted a new dog recently. His name is Tucker. He's an older fella, and I don't know much about his background. But he's had a lot to learn. So we've been doing a lot of training.

We train every day, multiple times a day—during walks, mealtimes, and playtimes. I've even worked training into small moments throughout the day, like a cue for a piece of carrot while I cut vegetables for dinner.

And I've been amazed at how quickly he's learning. (Granted, I only have an n of 2 for comparison—but I know more now than I did when I was training Benson).

When I reflect on what's contributed to his progress, one thing stands out: consistent, dedicated practice.

That reminds me of what I often tell my students: when you commit to consistent, dedicated practice, you can transform your writing.

And every bit of practice helps. You can invest in a course, join a webinar, or even just learn a new word each day. The time you dedicate does not have to monumental to be meaningful.

So show up consistently for your writing. Practice with dedication and purpose. And over time, your commitment will lead to transformation.

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

​3 "Harmless" Words That Can Sabotage Your Scientific Writing​
Word choice can make the difference between connecting with readers and alienating them. In this video, you’ll learn three words that may seem harmless but can actually signal arrogance and come across as presumptuous or dismissive. You'll also learn how a simple fix can make your writing more empathetic and persuasive.

Reading

​Biomedical and life science articles by female researchers spend longer under review​
"…female-authored articles tend to spend longer under review than male-authored articles, and that the trend is robust to controlling for several potentially confounding factors. Even though the gender gap is pervasive across biomedicine and the life sciences, it does not affect all fields equally, being absent and even reversed in a minority of disciplines."

​Basic Experimental Studies in Humans (BESH) Will No Longer Be Considered Clinical Trials by the NIH​
"In the context of the definition of clinical trials, the NIH now considers a health-related biomedical or behavioral outcome as having the potential for direct advancement of health. Although BESH research, which produces fundamental information about biology or behavior, might eventually inform advances in health, it is not conducted with the express intent of changing clinical practice or health but rather aims to understandfundamental aspects of phenomena without immediate clinical applications. Therefore, BESH research is no longer considered to meet the NIH definition of a clinical trial."

​Why Authors Aren’t Disclosing AI Use and What Publishers Should (Not) Do About It​
"There is one solution I encourage publishers not to adopt: investing in AI text detection tools. Not only are these tools notoriously unreliable and slow to adapt as AI models improve, but they also reinforce the idea that using AI to help with writing is forbidden, a position not taken by most publishers. If we believe that AI tools will help ESL scholars level the playing field for publication, why are we so obsessed with trying to detect their use?"

Quote

“Practicing the basics is the foundation for mastering the extraordinary.” –Greg LeMond

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Asymptotic Mastery, Study Participants, and Suspiciously Recent

I have a confession. Sometimes I struggle to think of myself as an expert.

At first, I wondered if I had this struggle because of the imposter phenomenon (an alternative to "imposter syndrome," which often carries a negative or ​clinical connotation​). Early in my career, the imposter phenomenon was definitely at play. But now, I think my struggle is rooted in something else.

So I've been thinking: how does someone achieve mastery of a subject to become an expert? More importantly, can anyone achieve true mastery of an evolving subject like language (or a scientific field)?

The more I sit with these questions, the more I think that mastery is asymptotic. In case you're not a math nerd like me, an ​asymptote​ is a line that continuously approaches a specific value as a variable tends toward a limit, often infinity, without ever actually reaching it. In other words, as you change the variable (expand your skills), the line gets closer and closer to the desired result (true mastery) but never actually reaches it.

That analogy captures my thoughts on mastery well. No matter how many skills you learn, mastery is not an endpoint to attain. Instead, it's an aspiration to motivate you to keep learning, practicing, and growing your skills.

So perhaps mastery is not an end goal, but rather a mindset. One that invites all of us to stay curious, open, and humble—no matter how far along we are on the asymptotic curve.

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

​Why “Subjects” Is Harmful Language in Medical Research​
A single word can change how we view people who participate in medical research. One word that is particularly troublesome in medical research is the word “subjects.” In this video, I share why this word is a problem and what words you can use instead to show respect, empathy, compassion, and kindness to people to take part in medical research.

Upcoming

​Modern Authors Tools and Workflow​ – AMWA-MAC Annual Conference
During this panel discussion, I'll join three medical writers in examining how medical writing teams are managing global, technology-driven authoring and review workflows. We'll discuss ​effective collaboration​ across time zones, smart integration of writing and review tools, version control and audit readiness, responsible use of AI, and what the next 5 to 10 years may hold for medical writing workflows.

Reading

How recent is recent? Retrospective analysis of suspiciously timeless citations​
"Our investigation confirms what many readers have long suspected, but none have dared to quantify: in the land of biomedical publishing, 'recent' is less a measure of time than a narrative device. With a mean citation lag of 5.5 years and a median of 4, the average 'recent' reference is just about old enough to have survived two guideline updates and a systematic review debunking its relevance. Our findings align with longstanding concerns over ​vague​ or ​imprecise​ terminology in scientific writing..."

​Why “Ta-Da Lists” Might Be the Most Motivating Productivity Hack Ever
“The ta-da list is basically a way to take inventory of all your accomplishments. Instead of writing things down that you need to do, it’s a list of the things you’ve already done. (You’re saying a congratulatory, “ta-da!’ Get it?) They’re a complement to to-do lists, and strangely motivating.”

​Rising Publication Costs Strain Researchers​
"These high costs...can be barriers for early career scientists and those from institutions with less resources and funding. . .open access models create inequities. . .[and] research funding is a finite resource."

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Caring for Readers, Meetings with a Point, and Sounding Like AI

Most of us were trained to write for a captive reader—the teacher who was paid to read every word we wrote. That training can subconsciously teach us to take our readers for granted, even when we care deeply about the work itself.

But outside the classroom, our readers are volunteers.

They are busy clinicians between patients, scientists skimming articles between meetings, and medical communicators juggling multiple projects. They are tired, interrupted, and distracted—and they are free to walk away at any time.

When someone reads our writing, they are giving us three of their greatest gifts: time, energy, and attention. Those gifts are precious. And we need to honor them by writing as though they truly matter.

That means caring not only about the information we want to share, but also about the experience our readers have as they digest that information.

What are a few ways you can take care of your readers?

🧐 Write clearly to respect their time and reduce their cognitive load. Strip down complex language so they can focus on what really matters.

🌊 Maintain flow to reduce friction and keep them moving forward. Use signposting, logical structure, and smooth transitions to guide them smoothly through the writing.

🎶 Vary the pace and energy to keep them engaged. Use strong verbs, avoid passive voice, and mix shorter and longer sentences to add rhythm and interest to the story.

When we write this way, we take care of our readers by showing respect and empathy.

I'm curious: how do you take care of your readers?

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

Live Edit: Fix Common Problems in Medical Writing
You can have the most compelling science in the world and still lose your readers if your writing is dense, abstract, or overloaded with long sentences. In this video, you’ll watch me revise a short clinical research excerpt line by line so you can see exactly how small, concrete changes can make you writing clearer, more engaging, and easier to read.

Reading

​Dramatic increases in redundant publications in the Generative AI era​
"The rapid growth in redundant publications...suggests a systemic failure of editorial checks. These papers distort meta-analyses and scientometric studies, waste scarce peer review resources, and pose a significant threat to the integrity of the scientific record. Current checks for redundant publications and plagiarism are no longer fit for purpose in the GenAI era..."

Listening

​Meetings With a Point: How to Design For Better Decisions​
"In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Hinds and host Matt Abrahams discuss why meetings so often go wrong—and what it takes to make them work. Whether you’re leading a team, trying to protect focus time, or simply hoping to spend less of your week in calendar invites, Hinds offers practical frameworks for designing meetings with purpose so they become a tool people actually value."

Watching

​Why Are People Starting to Sound Like ChatGPT?​
"Algorithms and AI don't just show us reality—they warp it in ways that benefit platforms built to exploit people for profit, says etymologist Adam Aleksic. From ChatGPT influencing our word choices to Spotify turning a data cluster into a new musical genre, he reveals how new technology subconsciously shapes our language, trends and sense of identity."

Training

​AI in CME Practice Lab​ – Starts March 9, 2026
In this advanced AI in CME Practice Lab, experienced CME professionals can move beyond prompts to build real, defensible workflows. Over 4 weeks of live sessions, you can design and test AI-assisted processes for research, drafting, analysis, and quality control.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Taking Action, Acknowledging AI, and Word Associations

I often get asked for book recommendations—and I love that question. Books have shaped so much of how I think about writing and communication. They offer new perspectives, challenge our thinking, and give us helpful frameworks and strategies to draw from.

But reading alone doesn't change our writing—or us. Insight without action tends to fade. The real transformation happens when you apply what you learn, test it out, and make it your own.

Books are a wonderful source of knowledge and inspiration. But action is the source of transformation.

So keep reading books, and also keep taking action. Choose one small thing that you've learned recently in a book, and put it into practice this week. That's how transformation begins.

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

​How to Disclose AI Use in Publications (and Why It Matters) 
If you’re using AI tools to help with your manuscripts, you need to know how to disclose that use correctly in your publications. In this video, you’ll learn why disclosure matters, what you should (and don’t have to) disclose, and where to include this information in your manuscripts.

Reading

Comprehensive bibliometric analysis of characteristics, patterns, and causes of retractions in pediatric literature​
“Articles with four authors showed the highest retraction rate, and the retraction rate generally decreased as the number of authors increased. . . Additionally, time to retraction was positively correlated with the journal’s impact factor (r = 0.106, p = 0.015) and the citation count (r = 0.213, p < 0.001) but showed no significant correlation with time to acceptance (r = − 0.019, p = 0.675).”

​Linguistic Framing in “Cancer” and “Cancer”-Adjacent Terms​
“Our findings support the hypothesis that the term “cancer” elicits stronger negative emotions and more severe associations than its synonyms or related terms. It is a clear instance for which the concept of linguistic framing is useful for differentiating meaningfully between terms that might be thought of as semantically equivalent, or synonymous, even to the general public.”

Tools

OZDIC Dictionary​
A friend recently introduced me to OZDIC, a collocation dictionary that provides frequently used word combinations and idiomatic expressions. This dictionary can help you learn words that are commonly combined so you can write and speak more natural-sounding English.

Quote

"Communication is not about saying what we think. Communication is about ensuring others hear what we mean." – Simon Sinek

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Avoiding Distractions, Writing Environments, and Grant Writing Courses

I've been thinking a lot about distractions lately, not just how to avoid them, but also what leads us to them.

We often hear that we are distracted by our overflowing inbox or by constantly checking our phones. But what if the real root of the problem is not the distracting object but rather an emotional state we're trying to avoid?

When you face writer's block, do you ever check your email to get a "break" from the text?

When the writing feels draining, do you find yourself grabbing a snack or playing with your dog?

When a wave of loneliness hits, do you automatically open your favorite social media app?

This makes me think about how we often focus on avoiding distractions themselves. But maybe we need to focus on tending to our emotional state instead.

So the next time you get distracted, I hope you'll see it as a gentle signal to tune into how you're feeling and choose your next step with intention.

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

​How to Design a Writing Environment That Actually Makes Writing Easier​
If your writing feels harder than it needs to be, your environment might be to blame. In this video, I share practical, low-friction tweaks to your work location, physical space, and tech setup so writing feels calmer, faster, and more focused.

Reading

​Building strong grant writers in academic medicine: outcomes of early-career faculty enrolled in the University of California San Diego Health Sciences Grant Writing Course​
"Thus, the program supports the development of a supportive environment for grant-writing success, which gets away from the solitary, unsupported experience typical for early grant writers, enabling the success of all faculty, including women and underrepresented participants. . . In our view, these intangible returns on investment are priceless. . . Institutional support for programs of this type is an important component of promoting the equitable success of early-career faculty in garnering extramural funding."

…Oh, and if you’re looking for grant writing training, you might want to check out my Scientific Writing Simplified course.

​Safeguarding scientific image quality and integrity: what more can be done?​
"​Scientific images ​often require editing for clarity, like adjusting brightness, adding scale bars, or enhancing contrast. While such modifications are essential for effective scientific communication, a 2021 study by Helena Jambor and colleagues revealed that poorly presented figures remain surprisingly common, suggesting researchers need better training in visual data presentation."

Watching

​How to Communicate with Your Dog, from a Westminster Champion​
In this TED talk, Jennifer Crank, a world champion in dog agility competitions, shares how the secrets of interspecies communication can teach us to effectively communicate with any audience.

Connecting

​Meet, Greet, Repeat with The Anthill​ – February 25, 2026 @ 2 pm ET
If you're a medical communicator and networking makes you cringe, this online session will help you make genuine connections through short, relaxed conversations. You'll rotate through brief 1:1 conversations so you can meet new people, spark new ideas, and discover new collaborators. ​Register here

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Collective Illusions, Desk Rejection, and Chasing Impact

A few months ago, I listened to a ​podcast interview​ with Todd Rose, author of Collective Illusions: Conformity, Complicity, and the Science of Why We Make Bad Decisions.

In the interview, Todd described a fascinating study about how our opinions can be shaped by others, even when we think we are being objective.

In the study, participants rated how attractive they found people in photos. Then they saw a supposed "average rating" from a group that was actually made up. Then when the participants rated the photos again, most shifted their scores to align with the average rating.

In other words, they conformed to groupthink, not because they truly changed their minds, but because they didn't want to stand out. Todd calls this a collective illusion.

When I heard this, I thought about the use of promotional language in scientific and medical writing, particularly in manuscripts and grants. I've always been cautious about using promotional language. Although it can sound impressive, it can also create hype that erodes credibility. Still, many researchers tell me they use it because they think "that's what reviewers expect."

This made me wonder: did promotional language become "expected" because it's genuinely persuasive, or because one reviewer was swayed by it years ago and everyone else followed suit?

Maybe this, too, is a kind of collective illusion.

As communicators, we all want our work to stand out for the right reasons—clarity, integrity, and genuine insight. Maybe we need to question our collective habits (or presumed conventions) and decide which ones still serve us.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you think the use of promotional language is more about collective illusions than true persuasion?

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

​7 Reasons Papers Get Desk Rejected (and How to Avoid Them)​
Desk rejection can be frustrating and feel like a verdict on your abilities, but it’s often about fixable issues in your research manuscript. In this video, I share 7 common reasons journal editors reject papers without peer review and practical strategies to address each one before you submit.

Reading

​How chasing a high-impact publication nearly broke me​
"The relentless pursuit of academic success through publications in prestigious journals nearly broke me. Looking back, I’m not sure it was worth the sacrifice. I might not have felt the need to step away from academia had we aimed for a lower impact journal."

​ArXiv preprint server clamps down on AI slop​
". . . a rule instituted on 21 January now requires first-time posters to be endorsed by an established arXiv author in their own field. People who have previously posted in the same disciplinary section of arXiv do not need an endorsement. The move is an attempt to clamp down on a rising tide of fraudulent submissions. . ."

Listening

​Using ‘impact’ as a verb. ‘Sympathy’ versus ‘empathy.’ Big help, Irving.​
I've met many writers who have strong feelings about about the use of "impact" as a verb. I'm careful about using "impact" as a verb (or even a noun) because I think it's a ​vague verb​. In this podcast episode, Grammar Girl shares how the use of "impact" as a verb evolved and why this use can be problematic in your writing.

Training

Marketing Made Easy with AI​​ – The Mighty Marketer
In this 7-week online course with Lori De Milto, you can discover how to use AI as your personal marketing assistant. You'll get an AI-powered toolkit packed with ready-to-use resources and prompts that you can combine with your own voice to help you grow your business and personal brand. Starts February 9, 2026. Join now to save 50%.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Making Sense, Reading Papers, and Prolific Débutante Authors

After you explain something to someone, do you ever ask, "Does that make sense?"

I hear this question all the time, especially among smart, well-intentioned people who want to be clear.

But here's the thing: while you might be checking whether you explained something well, the listener may hear a different message.

To listeners, this question might sound like you're questioning their ability to understand. That tiny shift can create distance between you and the person you're trying to connect with.

So instead of saying "Does that make sense?", try asking:

• "What questions are coming up for you?"

• "Is there anything you'd like me to expand on?"

• "Would it help to go into more detail on anything I discussed?"

Small shifts in language can create big connections in communication.

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

​How to Actually Read a Scientific Paper​
I've heard a lot of questionable advice out there about how to read a scientific manuscript. And I disagree with most of it. In this video, I share some of the strategies I’ve heard people advise, why those strategies are problematic, and what I recommend doing instead.

Reading

​A Comparative Analysis of Author Guidelines on the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Manuscript Preparation in the Top 100 Medical Journals​
“Although most journals require disclosure of GAI [generative artificial intelligence] use, there is considerable heterogeneity in permitted applications, disclosure formats, and alignment with external ethical frameworks. Our correlation analyses showed that policies permitting broader use of GAI, especially for language editing and manuscript generation, tend to cluster together and are often accompanied by mandatory disclosure and explicit ​authorship​ prohibitions.”

​Letters to scientific journals surge as ‘prolific debutante’ authors likely use AI​
“They found that from 2023–25, a small group of 'prolific debutante' authors suddenly appeared in the top 5% of letter writers. They suspect much of the rise was driven by programs such as ChatGPT. . . this study appears to be the first to examine the phenomenon among letters to the editor—a key venue for postpublication reviews, but also a potential avenue for exploitation by unscrupulous authors aiming to pad their CVs.”

Listening

​How Leaders Sound Smart Without Saying Too Much​
I often talk about the ​curse of knowledge​ and how it contributes to poor writing. Through this podcast episode, I also learned about the curse of passion and how the combination of these two curses leads to "expertitis" that can get in the way of communicating well.

Quote

"Mastery is not only about getting better at your craft, but also about finding ways to eliminate the obstacles, distractions, and other annoyances that prevent you from working on your craft. Top performers find ways to spend as much time as possible on what matters and as little time as possible on what doesn't. It is not someone else's responsibility to create the conditions for success. You have to actively work to eliminate the things that don't matter from your workload. If you haven't figured out how to do that, you haven't mastered your craft." –James Clear

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Nurturing Relationships, Clinical Terms, and Preprint Models

A few days ago, I was scrolling on Instagram and came across a ​quote​ from Simon Sinek:

"Strong relationships are based on trust and communication. But if there is no communication, there can be no trust."

Although Simon's words broadly apply to everyone, they made me think about the relationships between authors and readers.

We often think we are writing to readers or, better yet, for readers. But both of those mindsets focus on a one-way relationship.

What if we reframe that thinking to focus on a two-way relationship between authors and readers? That we're not just writing to readers (to serve ourselves) or for readers (to serve them), but to nurture the relationship we have with them.

So the next time you sit down to write, think about how you can strengthen the relationship you have with your readers—one word, one sentence, one shared understanding at a time.

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

​5 Clinical Terms Writers Constantly Confuse​
Commonly confused words in medical writing can quietly sabotage your papers—and even be detrimental to patients. In this video, you'll learn what I think are the 5 most confused pairs of clinical words in medical writing. You'll also learn their definitions and see practical examples so you don’t confuse these words again.

Reading

Over 100 institutions back eLife’s reviewed preprint model​
“As reported in Research Information, eLife surveyed over 100 institutions and funders to assess how their publishing model is viewed. Over 95% of respondents endorsed non-traditional publishing approaches like eLife’s, confirming publications will continue to be factored into hiring, promotion, and funding decisions.”

​A new preprint server welcomes papers written and reviewed by AI​
“At most scientific publications, papers co-authored by artificial intelligence (AI) are not welcome. At a new open platform called aiXiv, they are embraced. The platform goes all in on AI: It accepts both AI- and human-authored work, uses built-in AI reviewers for baseline quality screening, and guides authors through revisions based on the chatbots’ feedback.”

Watching

​My #1 rule for reading books​
I have a ​process for remembering what I read​ in books. But I love the idea of intentionally taking action while you read. In this 1-minute video, Vinh Giang shares how he plans to take action after he reads every chapter in a book.

Quote

“Rejection isn’t a verdict; it’s data. Use it.” –Shane Parrish

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Cultivating Wisdom, Predatory Journals, and Understanding Copyright

Earlier this week, I was walking around my neighborhood, listening to a ​podcast interview​, and the guest said something that stopped me in my tracks:

"We're drowning in information. We're starving for wisdom."

I think most of use feel that way. I think I can safely say that we've all felt overwhelmed by a flooding inbox, continuous social media feeds, and multiple browser tabs open at once.

Back in 2008, researchers estimated that people consume an ​average of 34 GB​ of information a day. And that was almost 20 years ago. I imagine that number is higher today.

With so much information—and with new content appearing faster than we can read it—how do we discern what's accurate, reliable, and good quality?

That's where wisdom comes in.

Wisdom is not just about consuming information. It's the ability to step back, evaluate, and act with discernment.

And it's also why I believe that AI can be a valuable writing partner—but not a replacement for human judgment.

AI generates information. Humans cultivate wisdom.

And that wisdom is what your readers (and the world) need most.

Now onto this week's round-up...

Round-up

From My Desk

​How to Spot Predatory Journals Before You Submit​
Predatory journals are getting harder to spot—and the consequences of submitting to one can be disastrous for your research and publishing plans. In this video, I share a clear, repeatable process for deciding whether a journal deserves your manuscript—or whether it's safer to walk away.

Upcoming

5-Day Challenge​​
When writing for experts, you might fear that simple language will seem simplistic, offend readers, defy convention, or erode your status as an expert in your field. But simple language is a powerful, evidence-based tool for crafting a clear, persuasive message. In this FREE 5-day challenge, you’ll uncover the power of using simple writing principles to amplify your science—and maximize the impact of your work. Doors close today! ​Save your spot

Reading

​Five things to know about NSF’s new rules on merit review​
". . . the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) announced changes to its highly regarded system of reviewing the some 50,000 grant proposals received each year. The move has created uncertainty and anxiety across the U.S. scientific community. Here are five things to know about the changes, which went into effect on 15 December."

​Update to AMA guidelines on figure titles​
"Titles of ​figures​, including diagrams, photographs, and line drawings, should include identification of the type of figure, which may be useful for interpretation, aid in searching, and help meet accessibility standards for those with visual impairment who use assistive technology such as screen readers."

​Top 10 Misconceptions About Copyright in Medical Communications​
"The reuse of published material in medical communications projects is common practice but understanding how this activity intersects with copyright law can be confusing and fraught with misunderstanding that can lead to greater risk of infringement to your organization. Here are some common misconceptions around content access and reuse and guidelines for educating yourself — and your clients — on the responsible use of published content."

Watching

​How reading changes the way your brain works​
You might think that reading is something that comes naturally. But our brains developed the capacity to read over thousands of years. In this video, you'll learn the value of reading, how language evolved over time, and how the language we read channels different parts of the brain.

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal

Interlude: Momentum, Building Confidence, and Making Complex Ideas Accessible

Happy New Year!

Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

I stopped setting New Year’s resolutions many years ago. Like most people, I would abandon them within a week or two of the new year.

For the past few years, I've taken a different approach. Instead of setting a resolution, I choose a single word to set my intentions for the year. This year, my word is momentum.

Why momentum?

Like many of us, I found last year challenging. My attention felt scattered, and my actions often felt frenetic. I know I'm at my best when I move with purpose, alignment, and intention—and that's the energy I want to build on this year.

So in 2026, I'm focusing on creating momentum that expands that sense of purpose and flow. And I'm so excited to take you with me.

Do you have a word of the year? I'd love to hear it. Hit reply and let me know.

Now onto the first round-up of 2026...

Round-up

From My Desk

How to Build Confidence in Your Writing in 2026​
Do you want to build more confidence in your writing or writing process this year? In this video, I share 10 practical strategies to level up your writing systems and habits so you can build more confidence in your writing and writing process.

Upcoming

Simplify Your Writing to Amplify Your Science Challenge​
When writing for experts, you might fear that simple language will seem simplistic, offend readers, defy convention, or erode your status as an expert in your field. But simple language is a powerful, evidence-based tool for crafting a clear, persuasive message. In this FREE 5-day challenge, you’ll uncover the power of using simple writing principles to amplify your science—and maximize the impact of your work.

Reading

​What advice do I give to my students?​
In this article, the author shares advice he often gives to his students related to mentoring, getting advice, identifying what is meaningful to you, and knowing what not to do. He also shares some personal techniques he recommends. This article is on the long-ish side, but well worth the read.

Listening

Rethinks: How to Make Complex Ideas Accessible​
"In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, strategic communications lecturers Matt Abrahams and Lauren Weinstein explore the “​curse of knowledge​” and offer specific techniques you can use to be more successful in getting your point across."

Watching

Vocal Branding: How Your Voice Shapes Your Communication Image​
The physiology and perception of the human voice are important aspects of communication that many of us overlook. In this video, Wendy LeBorgne, voice pathologist and author, shares 5 key elements of your voice that influence listeners around you.

Quote

“No one can get you where you want to go. Only self-motivation can do that. If you're waiting for someone to motivate you, it's because you don't love it, haven't decided what you want, or are not committed. When you're truly committed to a goal, you'll find the motivation within yourself to push through obstacles and make it happen. External motivation might get you started, but only internal motivation will carry you across the finish line.” – Shane Parrish

Thank you so much for reading.

Warmly,

Crystal