Books How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing (2018 New Edition) by Paul J. Silvia (Author)

"How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing" by Paul J. Silvia is a straightforward, actionable guide aimed at helping academics overcome common writing barriers and become more productive writers.

The core thesis is simple: prolific writers write regularly by scheduling their writing time and sticking to it. Silvia dismantles typical excuses for procrastination and emphasizes that successful writing is less about innate talent and more about disciplined habit and efficient use of time.

Key practical tips include:

Ruthlessly protect your writing time from interruptions like meetings, emails, and distractions.

Set concrete, achievable writing goals for each session.

Track your writing progress with tools like spreadsheets to stay motivated.

Prioritize writing projects to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Write first, then revise, avoiding over-analysis in early drafts.

Recognize writing as a skill improved by consistent effort rather than inspiration alone.