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INSIDE THIS ISSUE - November 10, 2009
1. A Note from the Editor
As long as you must write, why not write productively? According to Dr. Paul
Silvia, writing is an attainable skill, not a gift, and in this issue we collect
some valuable pointers from his book, How to Write a Lot.
November 10, 2009
A Note from the Editor
Tracy Steen, Ph.D.
Reflections on Dr. Paul Silvia's How to Write A Lot
You are a writer.
You may not think of yourself as a writer, but you fit the definition: A writer is someone who writes.
Every ABD is a writer. And even if you are thinking, with perhaps a tiny streak of I-hate-to-write rebellion, that you don't want to be a writer, you do want to accomplish a lot of writing. Indeed, you must. The professional goal you are pursuing requires that you literally write your way to success.
With that in mind, you might as well add one complementary goal--to become proficient in writing. No moaning, please, for however little you like to write, such a goal is eminently attainable. You can learn to write productively because writing is a skill, not a rare genetic gift, and skills can be developed and improved with practice.
It's true that you are getting plenty of practice already, but if the goal of proficiency has so far proved elusive, perhaps it could be helpful to consider the methods or habits you are reinforcing each time you write. The key to improvement is not just practicing, but practicing good strategies that will make the writing process easier and the final product better.
Dr.
Paul J. Silvia has written a practical guide to productive academic writing
called How
to Write a Lot. In case you are now thinking that I'm going to review
just another book that offers more hope than help you can actually implement,
consider this quote by Dr. Silvia:
"Writing is a grim business, much like repairing a sewer or running a mortuary. Although I've never dressed a corpse, I'm sure that it's easier to embalm the dead than to write an article about it….Writing is hard."
Yes, that's what he said--"Writing is hard." I've introduced you to an author who gets it! Dr Silvia earned his Ph.D. the same way you are earning yours, by collecting data and writing about it, so he knows what you're up against. But more important, he knows how to get the job done effectively.
The basic secret is really no secret. You've heard many times before that you must adhere to a writing schedule. Dr. Silvia concurs emphatically, stating "I've met people who jogged at the same daily time, regardless of snow or rain, but claimed that they didn't have the willpower to stick to a daily writing schedule. Don't quit before you start--making a schedule is the secret to productive writing."
Dr. Silvia's short book is both entertaining and informative, but he admonishes the reader, "If you don't plan to make a schedule, gently close this book, clean it so it looks brand new, and give it as a gift to a friend who wants to be a better writer."
If you haven't made a serious effort at keeping a writing schedule, maybe now would be a good time to give it a fair try. Sometimes it's the simple things like scheduling that work best, yet we may bypass them, perhaps thinking we should employ a strategy that more fully engages the intellect. In this case, according to Silvia, scheduling will engage the willpower and doubtless provide sufficient challenge.
When
it's time to write, close the door, shut off internet access, and turn off
your phone. You can choose the time, though it's not so much the number of
days or hours, but the regularity of your writing that will bring you
ever closer to your goal. Determine your writing schedule, make it known to
friends and family, and stick with it.
Dr Silvia emphasizes that you must "ruthlessly defend" your schedule, recognizing that others are unlikely to respect the commitment you make to your writing. He recommends that you just say no to well-intententioned intruders.
Once you commit to a writing schedule, the next step is to clearly define your goals and priorities. This is an essential part of academic writing. Although your ultimate goal is obvious, set concrete goals for each day and then prioritize.
Dr. Silvia gives several examples of setting concrete daily goals (e.g., write at least 200 words, print the first draft and revise it, write the first three paragraphs of the general discussion). He also discusses the process of prioritizing and monitoring progress. Another chapter helpful to the graduate student deals with style.
Whether a grad student or beyond, you may want to read these and other sections in How to Write a Lot. Although I can't begin to cover everything in Dr. Silvia's slim but very instructive (and amusing as well) paperback, I don't want to leave this brief review without giving you a taste of his comments on writer's block:
"I
love writer's block! I love it for the same reasons I love tree spirits and
talking woodland creatures--they're charming and they don't exist.
When people tell me they have writer's block, I ask, 'What on earth are you trying to write?' Academic writers cannot get writer's block. Don't confuse yourself with your friends teaching creative writing in the fine arts department. You're not crafting a deep narrative or composing metaphors that expose mysteries of the human heart. The subtlety of your analysis of variance will not move readers to tears…."
Dr Silvia is not unsympathetic--after all, he has already admitted that writing is hard--but he is relentless in returning to the basic theme of his book, scheduling.
"Scheduled writers don't get writer's block, whatever that is. Prolific writers follow their writing schedule regardless of whether they feel like writing. Some days they don't write much--writing is a grim business, after all--but they're nevertheless sitting and writing…."
I agree that it's not always easy, but I do join the author in recommending scheduling. Sure, it's the same old recommendation you've heard many times before, but why do you suppose you keep hearing about it? Make a schedule; stick to it; be astonished at how much you get done after two weeks of regular writing sessions.
For some excellent tips on how to get started on a program of scheduled writing,
you may want to review an article from our archives by Dr.
Nancy Whichard, "Putting
Specifics Around Your Writing Plans Can Lead to Happiness." Dr. Whichard
covers momentum, consistency, planning and incentives -- essential components
of a successful scheduling strategy.
The benefits in becoming a more productive writer while working on your dissertation are obvious, but there is more. Develop your skills now and you will reap ongoing dividends throughout your career because the opportunity to advance through writing never ends.
Dr. TRACY STEEN, Editor, ABDSG
Tracy Steen, Ph.D. , is a clinical
psychologist and dissertation coach in Philadelphia, PA. She received her
Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and completed a postdoctoral fellowship
in positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Steen draws
on her research background in positive psychology in her coaching work with
writers, helping them to remove internal obstacles so they can find more engagement
and flow in their work. You can contact Dr. Steen with questions about this
newsletter or about coaching in general at steen_t@mail.trc.upenn.edu.
You can also visit her website at www.tracysteen.com
Inspirational Quotes
This issue's quotes were taken from Dr. Silvia's book, How to Write a Lot.
"Decide what you want to do. Then decide to do it. Then do it." (William Zinsser)
"Serious writers write, inspired or not. Over time they discover that routine is a better friend to them than inspiration." (Ralph Keyes)
"I was once told that the surest aid to the writing of a book was a piece of cobbler's wax on my chair. I certainly believe in the cobbler's wax much more than the inspiration." (Anthony Trollope)
"Is academic writing more important than spending time with your family and friends, petting the dog, and drinking coffee? A dog unpetted is a sad dog….Protect your real-world time just as you protect your scheduled writing time." (Paul J. Silvia)