ABSTRACT
Although writing is essential to their success, most academics receive little guidance on how to maintain a productive writing practice. Academics often assume that their most prolific colleagues are just naturally motivated, and they are surprised to learn that many professors who have achieved prominence also face writing challenges. This chapter offers strategies to overcome external obstacles to productive writing. It offers solutions for internal blocks, such as worries about critics tearing the work apart or negative assessments of one’s own efforts. The chapter covers a range of writing topics, including planning, determining how many projects to work on at once, and managing coauthor relationships. Writing groups offer the benefits of both deadlines and thoughtful feedback on the content of our work.
