Write to the Top!: How to Become a Prolific Academic Book

Acknowledgments     xi
Preface     xiii
First, Establish a Well-Honed Writing Habit     1
Write or Don't Write but Make a Decision     1
Write as a Way of Life     4
Write about What Compels You     6
Take Control of Your Day     8
Write Every Day     10
Schedule Writing Blocks     12
Capture Time by Writing in the "Gaps"     15
Stay Home (or Locked in a Tower)     17
Become Dogmatically Disciplined and Set Firm Boundaries     23
Take Vows of Discipline and Delayed Gratification     23
"Just Say No" to Competing Demands     25
Rebuke the Demons of Service     28
Connect your Writing to Teaching and Service     30
Avoid the Factory Mentality and Lunch Crowd     33
Demand Equity in Faculty Responsibilities     36
Model Boundaries without Neglecting Students or Retreating     40
Keep "To Do" Lists for Your Day, Year, and Career     43
Cater to Your Writing Rhythms     47
Discover Your Optimal Writing Time(s)     47
When in the "Writer's Flow," Stay There!     49
Honor Your Own Writing Rhythms     51
Stimulate Brain Chemistry andWriting Efficacy     55
Develop the Attitudes and Perspectives of a Prolific Writer     59
Frame Productivity as a Professional Privilege     60
Write to Thrive, Not Merely to Survive     62
Be Patient as a Scholarly Writer     64
Be Persistent as a Scholarly Writer     67
Tolerate Rejection (and Learn from It)     69
Learn Good Coping Skills as a Writer     73
Take Time (But Not Your Writing Time) to Contemplate     75
Know When to Collaborate and When to Cut Losses     79
Find Supportive Colleagues and Critical Editors     79
Collaborate Often but Selectively     83
Carefully Structure Collaborative Projects     87
Know When to Cash Out     91
Practice Systematic Writing from Start to Finish     95
Clean Your Desk and File Your Work     96
Develop a Sound Writing System     99
Choose the Journal (or Publisher) First     101
Write Your Title Early     104
Work on One Manuscript at a Time     106
Generate Multiple Products When Possible     109
Write Programmatically-Maintain a Focus     111
Pick the Low-Hanging Fruit First     114
Overestimate Time to Completion     116
It's All about Quality (and Quantity Matters too)     119
Revise, Edit, and Revise Some More     123
Mediocrity is Not Allowed-Edit Yourself Thoroughly     123
In Words, Practice Parsimony     127
Return Revisions Immediately     128
Seek Mentors, Mentoring Networks, and Writing Coaches     133
Maximize Productive Mentoring Relationships     133
When Seeking a Writing Mentor Be Selective     136
Access Writing Coaches for Specific Concerns     138
Use Mentors to Learn Academic Cultural Norms     140
Not All Writers Benefit from Mentoring, Networking, and Coaching     142
Tackle Thoughts and Emotions that Block Productivity     145
Dispute Thoughts that Interfere with Writing     146
Overcome Procrastination or Die Trying     148
Reinforce Desired Behaviors     150
Refuse to Dwell on Setbacks     153
You Are a Writer, Writing is not You     155
Master the Mechanics of Publication: What Publishers Want You to Know     159
Solicit Feedback from Peer Readers and Proofreaders     160
Target Your Manuscript to a Specific Journal or Publisher     162
Carefully Prepare Your Manuscript      165
Carefully Prepare Your Cover Letter and Summary     168
Carefully Prepare Your Book Prospectus     170
Communicate Clearly with Editors and Publishers     174
Drink Deeply from the Cup of Life     177
Connect Writing to Life and Life to Writing     177
Practice Self Care and Healthy Habits     180
Infuse Your Writing with a Guiding Philosophy     183
Gracefully Weather Critical Life Events     186
Adapt at Midlife (and Beyond)     189
References     195
Index     197