Why Aren't You Writing?: Research, Real Talk, Strategies, & Shenanigans
Write more with less pain! Why Aren’t You Writing?: Research, Real Talk, Strategies, & Shenanigans describes research on how bright and otherwise fairly normal people lose their minds when it comes to writing, and then shows the reader how to stop being one of those people. Author Sharon Zumbrunn designed this brief text for beginning and struggling academic writers so they can understand the psychological hang-ups that can get in the way of productivity.

This book intertwines social and behavioral science research and humor to offer tips and exercises to help writers overcome their hurdles. Each chapter includes a description of findings from psychological and related research on writing hurdles and personal experiences of the writing process. Within the chapters, the author provides practical strategies and resources to help writers move beyond the challenges holding them back.

Why Aren't You Writing? acknowledges how emotionally and mentally challenging it can be to be a "writer." This book helps readers to balance the hard work required for change with a bit of levity often necessary for withstanding sustained difficult thinking and meaningful change. Together, the components of this text present a systematic approach for beginning and struggling academics to become aware of what might be happening in their heads when they (don’t) write, and harness that knowledge to build a healthier and more resilient relationship with writing.

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Why Aren't You Writing?: Research, Real Talk, Strategies, & Shenanigans
Write more with less pain! Why Aren’t You Writing?: Research, Real Talk, Strategies, & Shenanigans describes research on how bright and otherwise fairly normal people lose their minds when it comes to writing, and then shows the reader how to stop being one of those people. Author Sharon Zumbrunn designed this brief text for beginning and struggling academic writers so they can understand the psychological hang-ups that can get in the way of productivity.

This book intertwines social and behavioral science research and humor to offer tips and exercises to help writers overcome their hurdles. Each chapter includes a description of findings from psychological and related research on writing hurdles and personal experiences of the writing process. Within the chapters, the author provides practical strategies and resources to help writers move beyond the challenges holding them back.

Why Aren't You Writing? acknowledges how emotionally and mentally challenging it can be to be a "writer." This book helps readers to balance the hard work required for change with a bit of levity often necessary for withstanding sustained difficult thinking and meaningful change. Together, the components of this text present a systematic approach for beginning and struggling academics to become aware of what might be happening in their heads when they (don’t) write, and harness that knowledge to build a healthier and more resilient relationship with writing.

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Why Aren't You Writing?: Research, Real Talk, Strategies, & Shenanigans

Why Aren't You Writing?: Research, Real Talk, Strategies, & Shenanigans

by Sharon K. Zumbrunn
Why Aren't You Writing?: Research, Real Talk, Strategies, & Shenanigans

Why Aren't You Writing?: Research, Real Talk, Strategies, & Shenanigans

by Sharon K. Zumbrunn

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Overview

Write more with less pain! Why Aren’t You Writing?: Research, Real Talk, Strategies, & Shenanigans describes research on how bright and otherwise fairly normal people lose their minds when it comes to writing, and then shows the reader how to stop being one of those people. Author Sharon Zumbrunn designed this brief text for beginning and struggling academic writers so they can understand the psychological hang-ups that can get in the way of productivity.

This book intertwines social and behavioral science research and humor to offer tips and exercises to help writers overcome their hurdles. Each chapter includes a description of findings from psychological and related research on writing hurdles and personal experiences of the writing process. Within the chapters, the author provides practical strategies and resources to help writers move beyond the challenges holding them back.

Why Aren't You Writing? acknowledges how emotionally and mentally challenging it can be to be a "writer." This book helps readers to balance the hard work required for change with a bit of levity often necessary for withstanding sustained difficult thinking and meaningful change. Together, the components of this text present a systematic approach for beginning and struggling academics to become aware of what might be happening in their heads when they (don’t) write, and harness that knowledge to build a healthier and more resilient relationship with writing.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781544341156
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Publication date: 12/22/2020
Pages: 192
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Sharon Zumbrunn is an independent coach, as well as an associate professor of educational psychology and the co-director of the Motivation in Context Research Lab at Virginia Commonwealth University. As a feelings-and-learning-ologist, she spends a whole lot of time thinking about and studying writing motivation and self-regulation. She has published several research articles on the writing context, writing self-efficacy, writing attitudes, perceptions of feedback, and writing strategies. Importantly, she self-identifies as a struggling writer . . . depending on the day. She currently resides with her husband, two kids, charming-but-annoying dog, and hordes of woodland creatures in Charlottesville, Virginia. Learn more at sharonzumbrunn.com or follow her on Twitter (@Sharon Zumbrunn) and Instagram (@SZumbrunn).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xiii

About the Author xv

Chapter 1 Introduction 1

Organization of the Book 2

Organization of Each Chapter 3

How to Use This Book 4

A Couple of Notes Before You Begin 4

Activity: Put Your Grace Goggles On! 6

Chapter 2 Imposter Syndrome and Writer Identity 7

Understanding the Psychology 7

Academia: The Perfect Ecosystem for an Imposter Syndrome Epidemic 8

Who Is Most at Risk for Feeling "Imposter"? 10

Writer identity Deficit Disorder 11

The Power of Perceptions 11

Reality Check 13

TL;DR Summary 14

Essential Strategies for Productive (and Sane) Writing 14

The Fast Track to Expertville 14

Keep a Failure CV 15

Have a Heart…For Yourself 15

Build Your Village 16

Next Steps 16

Extra Resources 17

Humor Break 17

Quiz: Which Emoji Is Your Imposter Syndrome? 17

Activity: "I Belong Here" Contract 18

References 19

Chapter 3 Writing Stress and Anxiety 22

Understanding the Psychology 22

Deconstructing Fear and Anxiety 23

Paralyzing Overwhelmedness 24

Reframing Anxiety 25

Angsty Itchy Thoughts 27

TL;DR Summary 28

Essential Strategies for Productive (and Sane) Writing 28

Acknowledging and Saying Farewell to the Funk 28

Writing Projects Have Personality: Give It a Name 29

Don't Eat the Whole Pie (Or Even Pretend That Eating the Whole Pie Is Reasonable…or Healthy) 30

Making (and Sticking to) a Block Schedule 31

Growing Habit Seedlings 32

Motivation Check 33

How Reading, Listening, and Speaking Can Help With Writing 35

A Date With Your Journal 35

Vivid Alternative Endings 36

Next Steps 38

Extra Resources 39

Humor Break 40

Quiz: What Does Your Sleeping Position Say About Your Level of Writing Stress? 40

Activity: Dress Your Writing Monster 41

References 42

Chapter 4 Writing Self-Efficacy 45

Understanding the Psychology 45

Mastery Experiences: Failing Up 47

Vicarious Experiences: The Comparison Trap 48

Social Persuasion: Flattery and Scars 49

Physiological Responses: Intense Feedback From Your Bod 50

TL;DR Summary 52

Essential Strategies for Productive (and Sane) Writing 53

Tracking Gratitude and Wins 53

Keep Your Finger on the Affective Pulse 55

Kill Your Darlings 55

Pump Up the Jam 56

Next Steps 57

Extra Resources 57

Humor Break 58

Quiz: This Sorting Quiz Will Tell You Which Harry Potter Character Describes Your Writing Self-Efficacy 58

Activity: A Choose-Your-Own Writing Self-Efficacy Adventure 60

References 61

Chapter 5 Maladaptive Perfectionism 63

Understanding the Psychology 63

Perceived Ridic Standards 65

Chickity-Check Yo'Self Before You Wreck Yo'Self 66

Shove Critical Cathy in the Closet 68

Atelophobia 69

TL;DR Summary 71

Essential Strategies for Productive (and Sane) Writing 71

Put Your Cocktail Dress and Bowtie Away. It's Just a Draft 71

The Mess Is Where We Begin 72

Defining #GoodEnough 73

Burn It 73

Next Steps 74

Extra Resources 74

Humor Break 75

Quiz: Perfectionism: Which Friends Character Are You? 75

Activity: Perfectionism Voodoo Doll 77

References 78

Chapter 6 Autonomy in Our Work and Writing 80

Understanding the Psychology 80

The ins and Outs of Autonomy 81

Too Much of a Good Thing? 82

Too Little of a Good Thing? 83

Newbie Struggles 84

TL;DR Summary 85

Essential Strategies for Productive (and Sane) Writing 85

Laser Focus 85

Define What's Yours 87

Find Your Writing Mojo 88

Next Steps 89

Extra Resources 89

Humor Break 90

Quiz: What's Chasing You in Your Dreams? What Your Dreams Reveal About Your Autonomy 90

Activity: Things-You-Can-Control Coloring Page 91

References 92

Chapter 7 Embracing the Feedback Process 94

Understanding the Psychology 94

Not All Feedback Is Created Equal 95

Behavioral Reactions to Feedback 96

Emotional Reactions to Feedback 97

Considering the Feedback Context 98

Feedback Roles: Whose Job Is It, Anyway? 99

TL;DR Summary 101

Essential Strategies for Productive (and Sane) Writing 101

Exemplars: The Hidden Feedback Source 102

Bravely Seeking Feedback 103

Human Yet Strategic Feedback Management System 105

Feedback on the Feedback 107

Haters Gonna Hate; Keep Perspective 109

Next Steps 110

Extra Resources 110

Humor Break 111

Quiz: Which Animal Describes Your Openness to Receiving Feedback? 111

Activity: Get It Out 113

References 114

Chapter 8 Finding Social Support for Writing 116

Understanding the Psychology 116

Everybody Needs a Mentor 118

Getting by With a Little Help From Our (Academic) Friends 118

TL;DR Summary 119

Essential Strategies for Productive (and Sane) Writing 120

Inviting the Support You Need 120

Ain't No Party Like a Writing Buddy Party 121

Virtual Support 122

Escape to a Writing Retreat 124

Next Steps 125

Extra Resources 125

Humor Break 126

Quiz: Which Disney Princess is Your Ideal Writing Buddy? 126

Activity: Writing Village Gallery Wall 128

References 129

Chapter 9 The Importance of Wellness and Self-Care 131

Understanding the Psychology 131

Why Wellness and Self-Care? 132

Get Enough Sleep 132

Move Your Body 133

Surround Yourself With People Who Support You 133

Be Mindful of Your Thoughts 134

Be Thoughtful About Your Work 135

TI;DR Summary 136

Essential Strategies for Productive (and Sane) Writing 136

Get Your Good Sleep On 136

Find a Fitness Friend 137

Mindful Social Media 137

Mindfulness for Beginners 138

Watch What You Eat 139

Strategic Agreements 139

Make Time for the Things That Feed You 140

Next Steps 141

Extra Resources 142

Humor Break 142

Quiz: Test Your Self-Care IQ 142

Activity: Self-Care Mad Libs 144

References 145

Afterword: An (Un)Ending of Shorts 150

Tear-out Section: Chapter Activities 151

Activity: Put Your Grace Goggles On! 153

Activity: Dress Your Writing Monster 155

Activity: A Choose-Your-Own Writing Self-Efficacy Adventure 157

Activity: Perfectionism Voodoo Doll 159

Activity: Things-You-Can-Control Coloring Page 161

Activity: Get It Out 163

Activity: Writing Village Gallery Wall 165

A Final Activity: A Writing Shenanigans Maze 168

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