Do you have 15 minutes?

A review of Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day

During a meeting where I was struggling to write my proposal, my PhD advisor recommended that I read Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day by Joan Bolker. She’d never steered me wrong before, so I ordered the book as I walked back to my office after our meeting. I first read the book in January of 2024. I picked it up again for the blog to see if my reaction had changed.

Title: Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day: A Guide to Starting, Revising, and Finishing Your Doctoral Thesis
Author: Joan Bolker, Ed.D
About the Author: Bolker worked as a professor (Harvard, Wellesley, Brandeis, and Bard colleges), a writer, a writing coach, and a psychotherapist for struggling writers.
Genre: Writing
Sub-genres: Academic, Academia, Research, Nonfiction, Self-Help
Core Takeaways: Advice on how to create a pattern to get to the end of your writing project.
Appeal to me: I mentioned it was recommended. I thought, why not, if it helps me create an amazing daily writing habit.  
Appeal to me for you: Bolker cofounded the Harvard Writing Center and understood what students struggled with the most. This book addresses any issue you may be facing with your thesis writing. I enjoyed it, but it’s not for everyone as it is a little dated. The text is for any student struggling, not just PhD students. Should you read this book? If you are feeling overwhelmed, Bolker walks you through giving yourself permission to step back and start small. She very clearly states this is a guide and not a rule book.
Rating: 4/5

The book shows its age. Much of it was written before computers became a way of life, and although a later appendix nods to the digital era, it doesn’t fully reflect the realities of our tech-dependent writing world. Bolker even suggests avoiding computers altogether. In practice, I couldn’t do this; I stored everything in OneNote. This advice doesn’t translate to modern scholarship. If you can look beyond the book’s datedness, you will find guidance on habit‑building, self‑trust, and steady, sustainable progress that feels as relevant now as it did when the book first appeared. The tips are great! Like writing what you love, the fun part will come later once you have a draft, and only work with people you trust. While that feels like a given, the academic world can be hard to navigate. While it doesn’t make sense, she recommends you write and write, and you will eventually get over that writer’s block! Honestly, she’s right. I found out the hard way.

It feels like I underlined 1/3 of the book, if that helps you decide whether it’s worth reading. Here are a few favorite quotes:

• “There is no single writing method that will suit even most of the people most of the time… I want to teach you to find the process that works best for you.”
• “Don’t throw tantrums; that’s unprofessional.” This is in the section on how to work with or find a great chair/committee.
• “Write anything, because writing is writing.” It’s almost like she’s recommending that you become addicted to writing. While we see ‘addition’ as a negative word, if it’s helpful to you, we simply call it a daily habit.

Near the end of the book, Bolker writes, “writing your dissertation will still have changed you for all time.” Writing is hard, finishing is even harder. It is honestly life changing.

*By Advisor, I mean my university’s PhD advisor for our department, who is amazing. Chair/Mentor/Committee – those on my dissertation committee.