Full Description
This book is for graduate students--and others--who want to become more productive writers. It's especially written for those who want to:• increase their motivation, focus, and persistence to move a project to completion• overcome procrastination and perfectionistic tendencies• reduce (or write in spite of) their anxiety and fear of writing• manage their time, work, energy (and advisor) for greater productivityThe process or craft of sustained writing is not a matter that's taught to undergraduate or graduate students as part of their studies, leaving most at sea about how to start a practice that is central to a career in academe and vital in many other professional occupations.This book grew out of conversations Jan Allen has held with her graduate students for over 30 years and reflects the fruit of the writing workshops and boot camps she has conducted at three universities, her own and numerous colleagues' experiences with writing and advising, as well as the feedback she receives from her popular Productive Writer listserv.While Jan Allen recognizes that writing is not an innate talent for most of us, she demonstrates that it is a process based on skills which we can identify, learn, practice and refine. She focuses both on the process and habits of writing as well as on helping you uncover what kind of writer are you, and reflect on your challenges and successes. With a light touch and an engaging sense of humor, she proposes strategies to overcome procrastination and distractions, and build a writing practice to enable you to become a more productive and prolific writer.Jan Allen proposes that you read one of her succinct chapters - each devoted to a specific strategy or writing challenge - each day, or once a week. When you find one that increases your concentration, motivation or endurance, make it a habit. Try it for two weeks, charting the resulting increased productivity. It will become part of your repertoire of writing and productivity tools to which you can progressively add.
Contents
Foreword—Chris M. Golde Preface Acknowledgments 1. Write Every Day 2. Schedule Your Writing 3. Write Early in the Day 4. Write a Very Bad First Draft 5. Set Writing Goals 6. Chart Your Progress 7. Preparing to Write 8. Write Before You Wake Up (What?. 9. Write with Deadlines 10. Develop and Use an Outline 11. Fill Your Reservoir 12. Avoid Distractions 13. Think Ahead and Plan Backwards 14. Getting to Flow 15. Avoid Binge Writing 16. Overcome Perfectionistic Tendencies 17. Stop Procrastinating—Now 18. Staying Motivated 19. The Last Five Minutes of Writing 20. Your Writing Environment 21. Stuck? 22. Revising and Editing 23. Time Management 24. Energy Management 25. Advisor Management 26. Practice Writing 27. Using a Writing Support Group 28. Responsible Writing 29. Writing a Graduate Fellowship Application 30 Writing a Grant Proposal 31. Writing a Research Proposal 32. Writing a Thesis 33. Writing a Dissertation 34. Writing a Journal Publication 35. Writing a Book Proposal for an Editor or Agent 36. How to Think and Act Like a Writer Appendices A. Your Writing Slogan B. Writing Goals and Journal C. Word Count Progress Chart D. Twenty Steps to Writing Your Thesis or Dissertation Proposal or Prospectus E. Think Ahead and Plan Backward F. Sample Schedule for My Next Writing Project G. Obstacles to Productive Writing H. Working Through Writing Obstacles I. Proposal, Thesis, Dissertation Progress Meeting Date J. Peer Review and Critique K. Chocolate Chip Cake Recipe L. Writing Tips and Strategies M. Resources for Academic Writers References About the Author Index
