2/11/01.

I have bumped into what looks to be an extremely helpful book Bolker, J. (1998) WRITING YOUR DISSERTATION IN FIFTEEN MINUTES A DAY. New York: Holt. Here is why I think it is helpful (1) It makes the point, as does Lamott, that you need to do the actual writing every day. And, to encourage you in that direction, it suggests you set goals on a week-by-week basis that you are sure you can achieve. So for this week going forth you might set the goal: I will write for ten minutes each day. (2) She argues that if you make a rewarding activity contingent upon completing your writing, you are more likely to do it. In short, she suggests some behavioral principles that might make you feel better about your writing over time. You only get to review the box scores, or look at the cookbook, or bake the souffle, AFTER you have done your writing. (3) She has some excellent pointers for going about the process. The chapter on selecting your advisor and your committee appears sensible.