|  | Author: Paul J. Silvia
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
List Price: $14.95
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Rating:  60 reviews
Sales Rank: 5650
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Pages: 149
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5 x 0.4
ISBN: 1591477433
Dewey Decimal Number: 808.042
EAN: 9781591477433
ASIN: 1591477433
Publication Date: January 15, 2007
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 16-20 of 60
 Useful, with a touch of refreshing humor February 15, 2009
Rebecca M (Somerville, MA USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Paul Silvia's volume is a humorous bit of sound advice on how to produce plentiful bits of academic writing. His basic premise centers around the creation of a writing schedule that is immutable and permanent. Whether you spend four weekly hours or ten, Silvia contends that the consistency will produce results far faster than if you should wait for inspiration to strike.
It wasn't without some guilty recognition that I read Chapter 2, "Specious Barriers to Writing a Lot". However, Silvia keeps the tone pragmatic, rather than condemnatory, and suggests various methods of tracking one's progress and "carrot-on-a-stick" rewards.
While I am sure Silvia's methods will work (I've had success thus far), I do wonder about academics who have children. The needs of children do not often fall into a schedule, and I can see that parents might find maintaining a strict writing schedule more difficult. I do know a few colleagues who would find Silvia's approach an oversimplification of what it takes to write.
I recommend this book because it is a quick read and contains some valuable and consolidated insights into writing productively. I think he is overly negative about the act of writing (some of us DO enjoy writing), but addresses it as a necessary evil for those who may not be so inclined. While it is geared toward post-graduates and faculty, it certainly would help anyone engaged in writing a dissertation, particularly in the humanities or social sciences.
 belly aches! February 4, 2009
smarter than mom says I am (pretty much to the right and upward direction)
0 out of 9 found this review helpful
When I sit down to write, I get the jumblies in my tummy and it hurts like a force of nature took the wind right out of you. I can't read that well, and I only started English class two years ago, but I am going to write the next grate american novel (I hope!). Thank you Dr. for you tips that sometimes strangers will read to me if they're not in a hurry and I'm well dressed.
 Simple Point, Repeated Frequently January 31, 2009
Regan N. Clem (Ohio)
6 out of 9 found this review helpful
Paul Silvia received his PhD in psychology from the University of Kansas in 2001. Since that time, it appears that he has been busy writing; he has written or co-written twenty-five journal articles and three books including this one. This book is the culmination of his study of books on how to write a lot combined with conversations he had with prolific writers. Paul Silvia begins the book with the idea that the key to productive writing is to plan time for writing. Time to write is not something that a person can just find. As Silvia explains, "Instead of finding time to write, allot time to write" (12). The book continues to reiterate that idea throughout.
The book needs some tweaking in order to have crossover appeal to all fields, which it is so close to already having. Too much of the book is embedded in Silvia's field of psychology. The principles still can be applied, but the work that could have been done by the author to make this book more appealing to a wider scholarly audience was not done. Silvia wrote an exceptional book for writers in the field of psychology and an adequate book for writers in other fields. His overarching principle of scheduling time to write is applicable no matter what field you are in.
Great book January 30, 2009
C. Dush (New York)
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is a fabulous book, with wonderful advice. It is funny, short, and I will be recommending it to everyone. Paul gives great advice, and he encourages work and family balance, which I can certainly appreciate. I am already setting up a spreadsheet to track my productivity. If I get tenure, I bet this book will have a hand.
You knew most of this but still very helpful January 15, 2009
Miss Word (Southern Arizona, USA)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful
I bought this several months ago and have found it truly helpful. I am writing more. As noted by the less favorable reviews the key to his system is write based on a schedule. There is more to the book than this one line. I enjoyed the author's dry sense of humor and the details of his own experiences. The next most important thoughts in the book are avoid binge writing and form a writing group. It may be most helpful to academics. Although I am not in psychology I did not find the references to his field distracting. Some of the critics say there is not enough depth to this, but I re-read sections from time to time to motivate myself.
Showing reviews 16-20 of 60
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