If you are an academic finding the writing difficult to do over time, you are not alone. It is one thing to master the skill of academic writing and publishing. It is quite another to keep writing over many years. Writing With Purpose, Peace & Passion: A Guide for Sustaining Your Academic Writing, by Margarita Huerta, is for anyone wanting help with sustaining an academic writing practice.
How to Bring More Joy into Your Writing
By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD
Recently, I found myself feeling good after a writing session. Even though I hadn’t completed a project, I was more focused, productive, and creative during that time, which made the experience more enjoyable. It was great to have a writing session that felt better than previous ones. But what made it better? As I reflected on this, I realized it was likely because I had rearranged my office shortly before I began to write. You might wonder, “How does rearranging my office impact my writing?” Let me explain.
Do Your Publishing Research; Then Follow It
By John Bond
I have spoken to a fair share of happy authors over the years. Conversely, I have spoken with some disenchanted ones. They may have submitted their book idea (or whole manuscript) to several publishers and gotten no offer of publication. Also, some authors may submit a manuscript they labored over to a peer review journal and gotten nothing but the dreaded reject. No doubt this is a disheartening experience. It can hurt.
Three Actions You Can Take to Feel Happier as a Writer This Year
By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD
I’m sure many people wished you “Happy New Year.” But what does it mean when it comes to writing? In other words, what can you do to feel happier in your writing practice? To address this question, it’s essential to first define what happiness means.
According to Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness and The Myths of Happiness, happiness is to be happy in and with our lives, meaning that you (a) experience more positive emotions than negative ones, (b) feel that your life is good and meaningful, and (c) are satisfied with the progress you are making toward your life goals.
2025 TAA Conference Bookstore Featured Book: ‘Literature Review and Research Design’
Is research literature a foundation on which you build your own work, or an ocean in which you drown? Literature Review and Research Design: A Guide to Effective Research Practice by Dave Harris offers practical perspectives on using literature in the design and development of your own research project, with special attention on writing the project’s literature review. Published by Routledge.
How to Appreciate and Build on Your Strengths as a Writer
By Angelica Ribeiro, PhD
When reflecting on your writing progress this year, it’s common to focus on what didn’t go well, such as receiving a rejection letter, struggling with a writing project, or getting negative feedback. While these setbacks can provide valuable lessons, it’s equally important to acknowledge what went well. In his book Flourish, Martin Seligman advocates for a helpful exercise called “What-Went-Well.”