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
