This chapter explores the emotional dimensions of academic writing,
identifying its important emotional drivers and prohibitors. It highlights the difficulties
associated with the writing process and emphasizes that the process is experienced often
as a series of challenges and struggles to be navigated. By drawing parallels between
the writing ‘journey’ and the features of Campbell’s ‘hero’s journey’ it provides a
framework and language for supporting academic writing that could be helpful for
supervisors and their students. Associated concepts including the paradoxes of
academic writing and issues of genre and expression within disciplines are also
explored. References cited in this chapter include the link to a video clip of the author
discussing similar themes.
Keywords: Academic writing, challenges, conversation, emotional writing,
feedback, free-writing, phases, structure, student writing, paradoxes.