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Write No Matter What: Advice for Academics
With growing academic responsibilities, family commitments, and inboxes, scholars are struggling to fulfill their writing goals. A finished book—or even steady journal articles—may seem like an impossible dream. But, as Joli Jensen proves, it really is possible to write happily and productively in academe.Jensen begins by busting the myth that universities are supportive writing environments. She points out that academia, an arena dedicated to scholarship, offers pressures that actually prevent scholarly writing. She shows how to acknowledge these less-than-ideal conditions, and how to keep these circumstances from draining writing time and energy. Jensen introduces tools and techniques that encourage frequent, low-stress writing. She points out common ways writers stall and offers workarounds that maintain productivity. Her focus is not on content, but on how to overcome whatever stands in the way of academic writing.Write No Matter What draws on popular and scholarly insights into the writing process and stems from Jensen’s experience designing and directing a faculty writing program. With more than three decades as an academic writer, Jensen knows what really helps and hinders the scholarly writing process for scholars in the humanities, social sciences,and sciences.Cut down the academic sword of Damocles, Jensen advises. Learn how to write often and effectively, without pressure or shame. With her encouragement, writers of all levels will find ways to create the writing support they need and deserve.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2017
195 people are currently reading
1345 people want to read
About the author
Joli Jensen
7 books6 followersJoli Jensen received her PhD in 1985 from the Institute of Communications Research at the University of Illinois. She has been a faculty member at the University of Virginia (1984-1986) and at the University of Texas at Austin (1986-1991). She joined the Faculty of Communication at the University of Tulsa in 1991, where she became Hazel Rogers Professor of Communication in 2005. She also founded and directs the TU Henneke Faculty Writing Center.
Jensen initially majored in biology and psychology at the University of Nebraska, and begin a neuroscience PhD program at the University of Illinois, before switching into journalism and media studies.
Jensen initially majored in biology and psychology at the University of Nebraska, and begin a neuroscience PhD program at the University of Illinois, before switching into journalism and media studies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
September 12, 2020
I'm not an academic and I don't remember how I heard about this book, but as someone who's always trying to write but rarely seems to find the time and energy, I figured anyone who could help academics (who are clearly always stretched thin and crazy busy) could help me.
And I was right! This book is packed with helpful and exceedingly practical advice on how to secure the time, space, and energy for writing. I'm not going to give any of it away here (read the book, it's short), but if you follow her tips I fail to see how you couldn't become productive no matter your life circumstances. I'm excited to try this stuff out.
Of course, if you're not an academic, there are elements of this book that won't apply to you. But this is balanced out by the fact that there are NO stupid writing prompts or exercises here, as there often are in writing books. Jensen assumes her readers already know what they want to write about and want to get to it, not waste time on prompts they have no interest in. I appreciated that so much. Definitely recommend this for anyone who wants to write.
And I was right! This book is packed with helpful and exceedingly practical advice on how to secure the time, space, and energy for writing. I'm not going to give any of it away here (read the book, it's short), but if you follow her tips I fail to see how you couldn't become productive no matter your life circumstances. I'm excited to try this stuff out.
Of course, if you're not an academic, there are elements of this book that won't apply to you. But this is balanced out by the fact that there are NO stupid writing prompts or exercises here, as there often are in writing books. Jensen assumes her readers already know what they want to write about and want to get to it, not waste time on prompts they have no interest in. I appreciated that so much. Definitely recommend this for anyone who wants to write.
August 29, 2020
This is an excellent book for any writer, but especially academics who get stalled on projects. I am not going to do her sorting technique that she covers in the beginning of the book, but I really appreciated her points about trying to write only what excites you and letting go of the parts of the project that you feel like you have to write. Just abandon draft and move on.
August 2, 2019
If you're in academia, you may already be familiar with this book or other manuals that attempt to guide you as a writer. This one is especially helpful because it acknowledges all of the things that faculty must do outside of writing and gives you clear, concrete advice about how you can put aside time, space, and energy to do your scholarly writing. The book is very short (most chapters are four pages) and covers lots of different topics, from setting up your space or dealing with writers block to how you might start a writing group with your colleagues.
I had been feeling stalled for part of the summer and I can't say that this book solved my problems, but it has helped me gain a different perspective on the work I'm doing and how I can make room for it in my life.
If you're an academic in the humanities and don't seem to be doing the writing that you want to do, I think this is certainly worth a look.
I had been feeling stalled for part of the summer and I can't say that this book solved my problems, but it has helped me gain a different perspective on the work I'm doing and how I can make room for it in my life.
If you're an academic in the humanities and don't seem to be doing the writing that you want to do, I think this is certainly worth a look.
January 6, 2022
This is by far the most helpful work I’ve come across when it comes to the core of academia: writing itself. Jensen’s insights fit right into the workflow of any student or academic and proves to the reader that almost any written project is feasible for those willing to give it diligent, frequent attention.
February 3, 2020
A joyous book. A joyous read. Jensen shared the pain of writing, and the profound challenge of cutting writing time out of a full academic life.
Clear strategies are put in place to write, and write every day. It is also a book without excuses.
Outstanding. Funny. Powerful. Agile. Honest.
Clear strategies are put in place to write, and write every day. It is also a book without excuses.
Outstanding. Funny. Powerful. Agile. Honest.
August 17, 2023
This book is pretty great: smart, short, practical. It came to me at the right time. I read it through once, then read it a second time selecting what works for me.
March 6, 2023
This is one of the most useful things on writing that I’ve read. And I’m glad I put it down and picked it back up again when I did, because it helped explain some of the reluctance and grumpiness I’ve been feeling about writing lately. I may even ask a few colleagues if they’d like to try her version of a writing group.
July 26, 2022
Secure time, space, and energy. Do these three things while developing a posture of craftsmanship.
This was a helpful book.
This was a helpful book.
February 12, 2021
I feel like I have learnt a lot from this book. It's the first time I've read writing advice directed at academic writing in particular (as in, the writing process, not how to write a good academic paper)), but I feel like much of the presented advice can also be very helpful for fiction/non-fiction writers. Yes, it's the same old 'write more, fear less' as she says so herself. But there are some interesting tips and tricks and especially the writing myths/writing demons presented really struck a chord with me. It was almost painful how easy it was to recognise myself in many of them. Sometimes it's difficult to be honest with myself because it means recognising and dealing with those not-so-nice parts of myself, or just stupid beliefs I have. This book helped me being a bit more honest with myself, I think.
I implemented her three main points of advice immediately and for what it's worth, in the two weeks I've done that, it has really helped me to work more on a paper I would otherwise never have started already.
Four stars then because I feel like I have learnt a lot and personally this was a helpful read.
However, I do still have mixed feelings about this book. Some minor things I did not like were the repetition as well as the last few chapters going into her own Great Projects to help others write more. And also the way she portrayed fiction writers - there were some remarks when quoting writing advice by Stephen King for example, where she suggested academics have a harder time writing because they also do other things and are not full-time writers. That I thought was a low blow: most fiction writers are not Stephen King, aka. most fiction writers are also juggling a thousand things in their life while writing.
The biggest issue I have with this book however, is that it is so clearly a book about treating the symptoms. At some point she is very explicit about this: academia is not a good writing environment, there are a lot of issues academics have to deal with, etc. This book helps you write no matter those issues. On the one hand, that is a strong point and I know I am naive or idealistic if I believe we should change academia so it is perfect or something. But on the other hand, it meant the whole book is focused on what you yourself can change, how you as a person can be better and more productive. And that whole narrative just... does not sit well with me. It is a bit too close to this idea that your worth or value as a person depends on your productivity, and that you yourself are responsiblity for that productivity.
Might rewrite this review when my thoughts are clearer haha
I implemented her three main points of advice immediately and for what it's worth, in the two weeks I've done that, it has really helped me to work more on a paper I would otherwise never have started already.
Four stars then because I feel like I have learnt a lot and personally this was a helpful read.
However, I do still have mixed feelings about this book. Some minor things I did not like were the repetition as well as the last few chapters going into her own Great Projects to help others write more. And also the way she portrayed fiction writers - there were some remarks when quoting writing advice by Stephen King for example, where she suggested academics have a harder time writing because they also do other things and are not full-time writers. That I thought was a low blow: most fiction writers are not Stephen King, aka. most fiction writers are also juggling a thousand things in their life while writing.
The biggest issue I have with this book however, is that it is so clearly a book about treating the symptoms. At some point she is very explicit about this: academia is not a good writing environment, there are a lot of issues academics have to deal with, etc. This book helps you write no matter those issues. On the one hand, that is a strong point and I know I am naive or idealistic if I believe we should change academia so it is perfect or something. But on the other hand, it meant the whole book is focused on what you yourself can change, how you as a person can be better and more productive. And that whole narrative just... does not sit well with me. It is a bit too close to this idea that your worth or value as a person depends on your productivity, and that you yourself are responsiblity for that productivity.
Might rewrite this review when my thoughts are clearer haha
October 21, 2019
Tremendously helpful, practical, realistic, encouraging, compassionate. I picked this up to see if I might want to use any parts of it for a doctoral research writing course I'm developing to teach next semester. Not only do I want to use parts of it, but I'm now planning to have my students read it cover to cover and engage with the content through activities and discussions.
Where was all the practical, helpful guidance when I was doing my PhD? I finished my degree and emerged into the world, basically useless.
Where was all the practical, helpful guidance when I was doing my PhD? I finished my degree and emerged into the world, basically useless.
December 22, 2022
Manage and curate your time, place and energy; don’t get discouraged and don’t give up. That’s the book. The author should have quit writing after 10 pages but given the title this presumably was not a viable option.
September 28, 2017
Outstanding book for anyone who has to write (which is all of us). Especially for academics, a very clear concise declaration of hindrances and solid strategies on how to deal with them!!
February 25, 2023
2023 reads: 05
Rating 4.5 stars
Joli Jensen’s Write No Matter What offers an anecdotal and practical look at the myths, fears and obstacles to the writing process in academia. The book’s argument can be distilled into this: “In order to be productive we need frequent, low-stress contact with a writing project we enjoy.” (xi) The books mixes experience, confession, and practical guidance for establishing an academic career and personal environment in which these frequent, low-stress contact can be enjoyed. Jensen’s goal is clear: secure writing time, space, and energy, recognize myths, maintain momentum, and seek ways to give and receive writing support. These are some of the key ingredients to securing a productive career in writing.
I was struck by Jensen’s pastoral voice throughout. Her personal experience and gentleness were evident, as wisdom, guidance, and encouragement were offered to the reader. The subject was not some distant material. Her nearness to the subject could be palpably felt, enriching the book’s argument and making it all the more believable. Write No Matter What was particularly insightful when it came to unmasking typical practices in academia and the unspoken challenges faculty face. Jensen’s plea is evident and earnest, and readers are easily captured by her vision for developing writing processes that will be productive.
Practically speaking, I learned a fair bit about myself. I sense the fear of writing and of being measured by my ability to write. I discovered that I am a “binge writer”. As such I will have to develop daily habits that incorporate writing into my schedule. Thanks to Write No Matter What I have a resource I can come back to. The practical advice for working out of stalls, designating A, B, C time, and the many other tips are tools I hope to utilize.
Rating 4.5 stars
Joli Jensen’s Write No Matter What offers an anecdotal and practical look at the myths, fears and obstacles to the writing process in academia. The book’s argument can be distilled into this: “In order to be productive we need frequent, low-stress contact with a writing project we enjoy.” (xi) The books mixes experience, confession, and practical guidance for establishing an academic career and personal environment in which these frequent, low-stress contact can be enjoyed. Jensen’s goal is clear: secure writing time, space, and energy, recognize myths, maintain momentum, and seek ways to give and receive writing support. These are some of the key ingredients to securing a productive career in writing.
I was struck by Jensen’s pastoral voice throughout. Her personal experience and gentleness were evident, as wisdom, guidance, and encouragement were offered to the reader. The subject was not some distant material. Her nearness to the subject could be palpably felt, enriching the book’s argument and making it all the more believable. Write No Matter What was particularly insightful when it came to unmasking typical practices in academia and the unspoken challenges faculty face. Jensen’s plea is evident and earnest, and readers are easily captured by her vision for developing writing processes that will be productive.
Practically speaking, I learned a fair bit about myself. I sense the fear of writing and of being measured by my ability to write. I discovered that I am a “binge writer”. As such I will have to develop daily habits that incorporate writing into my schedule. Thanks to Write No Matter What I have a resource I can come back to. The practical advice for working out of stalls, designating A, B, C time, and the many other tips are tools I hope to utilize.
May 25, 2025
I'll keep this short and sweet. If you're an academic writer, you need this book. It's short, encouraging, helpful, and very, very easy to read in small chunks.
It has great advice for getting past writer's block, structuring writing time, putting things on the back burner, and getting our egos out of the way. I loved it.
I would also encourage using it as something to dip into from time to time as a little refresher—like Marcus Aurelius's Meditations.
It has great advice for getting past writer's block, structuring writing time, putting things on the back burner, and getting our egos out of the way. I loved it.
I would also encourage using it as something to dip into from time to time as a little refresher—like Marcus Aurelius's Meditations.
October 14, 2024
The book is overly negative about the process of writing. It is clearly also for academics, which says it right on the cover, so it may not be applicable to every writer.
However, some of the tools could be useful, such as how to organize your writing, how to write when you have a busy schedule and some of the general tips that many other books about writing have. There's also a big focus on the culture of academic writing, which may not be familiar to those who are not in academics.
Overall, I just could not stand the negative tone.
However, some of the tools could be useful, such as how to organize your writing, how to write when you have a busy schedule and some of the general tips that many other books about writing have. There's also a big focus on the culture of academic writing, which may not be familiar to those who are not in academics.
Overall, I just could not stand the negative tone.
March 26, 2018
Excellent work!
Highly recommend if you need or want to better understand why we fail to write and how we can be productive and less afraid of ourselves and failure.
Highly recommend if you need or want to better understand why we fail to write and how we can be productive and less afraid of ourselves and failure.
July 16, 2021
“Write No Matter What” by Joli Jensen
I picked up Jensen’s book as sort of a motivational gift to myself. I struggle with writing, in any capacity. Journaling, blogging, journal articles, conference papers, even emails. I struggle to tell myself I have the time to sit down and do it and when I do sit down to do it, it feels like I lose every word which should be there. So I’ve been trying to read and discover ways to unstick myself.
Jensen’s book is not very specific; it lacks some of the detailed techniques for writing, recording your writing, and revision that other books do. This is its greatest STRENGTH. Jensen seems to recognize that technique is rarely the issue, even though technique is a piece of what she does. This is really more of a writer’s self-help guide, offering commiseration with our struggles and some mind over matter advice for how to keep moving forward. To me, this is much more helpful than books which are hyper-technique driven.
But I’m still frustrated by the book in many ways. Most of Jensen’s advice seems to assume tenured or tenure-track status. It also does not address the balance between research practice and writing. Jensen’s own scholarly writing seems to focus mostly on criticism and writing, so time-intensive research and how it interacts with writing practice may not have been on her radar. As someone who wants to get back to interview-based research, help balancing daily writing against the research process would have been helpful.
I also found it odd that Jensen included an Afterword focused on public scholarship or scholarly journalism. It was one of her more substantial chapters, longer than many of the chapters in the book. If this is so important to the book, why was it not in the body of the book? It was an odd writing choice which I can’t help but footnote under her credibility.
But all of this is specific to me and what I need. I’m still looking for the right writing advice book that helps me connect my qualitative research ambitions with a productive writing practice. However, Jensen’s book was overall very thoughtful and provided some good fundamentals and ideas for me to take moving forward.
I picked up Jensen’s book as sort of a motivational gift to myself. I struggle with writing, in any capacity. Journaling, blogging, journal articles, conference papers, even emails. I struggle to tell myself I have the time to sit down and do it and when I do sit down to do it, it feels like I lose every word which should be there. So I’ve been trying to read and discover ways to unstick myself.
Jensen’s book is not very specific; it lacks some of the detailed techniques for writing, recording your writing, and revision that other books do. This is its greatest STRENGTH. Jensen seems to recognize that technique is rarely the issue, even though technique is a piece of what she does. This is really more of a writer’s self-help guide, offering commiseration with our struggles and some mind over matter advice for how to keep moving forward. To me, this is much more helpful than books which are hyper-technique driven.
But I’m still frustrated by the book in many ways. Most of Jensen’s advice seems to assume tenured or tenure-track status. It also does not address the balance between research practice and writing. Jensen’s own scholarly writing seems to focus mostly on criticism and writing, so time-intensive research and how it interacts with writing practice may not have been on her radar. As someone who wants to get back to interview-based research, help balancing daily writing against the research process would have been helpful.
I also found it odd that Jensen included an Afterword focused on public scholarship or scholarly journalism. It was one of her more substantial chapters, longer than many of the chapters in the book. If this is so important to the book, why was it not in the body of the book? It was an odd writing choice which I can’t help but footnote under her credibility.
But all of this is specific to me and what I need. I’m still looking for the right writing advice book that helps me connect my qualitative research ambitions with a productive writing practice. However, Jensen’s book was overall very thoughtful and provided some good fundamentals and ideas for me to take moving forward.
October 15, 2020
This is a fantastic book for academics. I wish I had been available years ago when I started grad school! For years, trying to improve my output, I would read general productivity books with generic advice like "make sure your workspace is clean," "eliminate distractions," and "delegate, cancel, or refuse as many rote tasks and useless meetings as possible to free up your calendar for productive time" (which, let's be honest, is unrealistic and generally bad advice unless you're high up enough in an organization that you can set the rules). Yet I would still struggle with navigating my own situation because a) most people around me were also struggling, so there weren't any/many good role models to look up to, and b) I would get stuck in unproductive mental traps and get overwhelmed with the sheer magnitude of perceived work I had. I really appreciate Dr. Jensen's straightforward advice to work on writing projects consistently for at least 15 minutes a day, dedicate your most productive time to writing even over tasks that seem more pressing and urgent, "leave gas in the tank" and stop working before you reach exhaustion, keep an interesting backburner project on hand as a reward for working on your main project, not be afraid to abandon unproductive projects, and seek out and surround yourself with likeminded people who can help exert positive peer pressure.
August 21, 2021
It's not a bad book, but most of the things are rather straightforward common sense (schedule time, energy, space and rest). The book can be summarised in a single sentence ("In order to be productive we need frequent, low-stress contact with a writing project we enjoy.") and the 3 most useful tips: create a project box (a single place organising the entire project), use a ventilation box (a diary to vent), and write 15 min everyday.
October 2, 2019
4.5 stars. The reason I didn't give it more is because I listened to the audio, and in hindsight I would have much preferred to take notes in the margins as I read due to the nature of the content. There are definitely some very helpful strategies detailed within and tips to building a support system for yourself, regardless of what type of writing you are working on.
November 26, 2021
This book was better than I expected. Joli Jensen gives good advice on the actual process of writing and how to avoid stalls and what to do if you realize a project has become toxic. I might listen to this book again. I`ve already started to track my lifestyle for a week to find out where I`m losing time, so that I can put some of her advice into action.
October 13, 2017
I liked this book a lot. It's among the best books in the "productive academic writing" genre.
July 1, 2020
Read the Chinese translation. The translation is actually good, smooth and elegant.
I'm not in academic writing but this book magically helped me a lot. I think so far as for writing in general (creative or academic) the most helpful books I've read about writer's block is this book and On Writer's Block by Victoria Nelson, the latter being more creative-writing related.
Why do I find them the most useful? Probably the disillusionment. You can't expect to reach a specific magic point--getting published, finishing terminal degrees, getting tenure/becoming famous, etc. --and then all writing problems will automatically disappear. Such a destination point does not exist. That kind of false hope will eventually lead to a bigger disappointment. Sometimes, because (especially on social media, cough cough) everyone is displaying the shiny parts, the disappointment is faced inward, towards myself. "Well, they can make it. Everyone can make it. Which means I AM the problem." And it's very comforting to hear that from experts outside my field.
Undeniably writing is an art, but to see it from a more practical angle works better for me. Haha I guess "craft" is an acurate word indeed. Yes it's romantic, unpredictable and fortuitous, but maybe I can be a carpenter too: expose problems, find solutions, get tools, and wait for the magic.
I'm not in academic writing but this book magically helped me a lot. I think so far as for writing in general (creative or academic) the most helpful books I've read about writer's block is this book and On Writer's Block by Victoria Nelson, the latter being more creative-writing related.
Why do I find them the most useful? Probably the disillusionment. You can't expect to reach a specific magic point--getting published, finishing terminal degrees, getting tenure/becoming famous, etc. --and then all writing problems will automatically disappear. Such a destination point does not exist. That kind of false hope will eventually lead to a bigger disappointment. Sometimes, because (especially on social media, cough cough) everyone is displaying the shiny parts, the disappointment is faced inward, towards myself. "Well, they can make it. Everyone can make it. Which means I AM the problem." And it's very comforting to hear that from experts outside my field.
Undeniably writing is an art, but to see it from a more practical angle works better for me. Haha I guess "craft" is an acurate word indeed. Yes it's romantic, unpredictable and fortuitous, but maybe I can be a carpenter too: expose problems, find solutions, get tools, and wait for the magic.
May 25, 2021
Brilliant motivational advice. Not on par with The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles for sheer motivational power, but much more specific. Pressfield tells you there is a demon called resistance. Jensen says that demon has many names and tricks. She nails it. And like Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It she describes using Voss's "Acquisition Audit" on yourself and put it all in a "Ventilation File." Then when you are stuck, you can look up which demon you might be dealing with on any particular day. You spend 15 minutes a day with your writing...even if it's just to vent. Great advice!
Read
June 30, 2025One in several books I'm trying out to get my shit together and begin working on the dissertation. This one was fine. Nice to see some of my biggest fears echoed and affirmed, but the actual "content" could have been an email:
1) Have a specific folder for your project. 2) Try to write at least 15 minutes every day. 3) Have a ventilation file for when you're stalled and figure out what's keeping you from writing.
Tada!
1) Have a specific folder for your project. 2) Try to write at least 15 minutes every day. 3) Have a ventilation file for when you're stalled and figure out what's keeping you from writing.
Tada!
Read
December 2, 2023It's a good book for researchers in huminites, from the pre-tenure level up. The author demystifies the (popular) academic writing process by looking at it as craft. There are useful tips on how to start and keep writing regularly, feeling good about ones work and progress. Its well applicable for writers in humanities and writers looking to write opinions or articles that necessitate very little data collection. If you are a grad student or postdoc who just got out of the lab after six months of experiments and need to crank out a manuscript, this book won't help _at all_.
The last few chapters of the book include tips on running (faculty) writing groups and clubs and writing op-eds. Both are interesting and the former is described in good and practical level of detail.
The last few chapters of the book include tips on running (faculty) writing groups and clubs and writing op-eds. Both are interesting and the former is described in good and practical level of detail.
November 25, 2024
Jensen cites the better books in the genre (Boice, Silva, etc.), so I'd steer a reader to those. Very little is new here, and the tone has a "just snap out of your blocks"attitude that seems uninformed by scholarship on race, gender, disability, or language minority status.
If it's the only book on academic writing you read, it might be just what you need. If you read a lot about faculty writing, it feels like a lot of lore with a lot of very basic coaching.
If it's the only book on academic writing you read, it might be just what you need. If you read a lot about faculty writing, it feels like a lot of lore with a lot of very basic coaching.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2020
A practical and motivating guide for academic writing, which includes original methods and approaches developed by the writer herself. It also presents a useful/orienting review of major studies in the field.
December 31, 2024
A writing guide for academics with general tools on how to make writing part of everyday life, even when you feel like you don't have time to write. It identifies the structures of academic life that are hostile to writing and offers advice on how to break them down, or at least tolerate them.
April 15, 2020
Clear, concise, accessible and full of actionable advice. I wish I read this 10 years ago (= the highest praise for a book on writing).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews