A　scheme　is　proposed　for　the　generation　of　a　W　state　for　three　atoms　trapped　in　spatially　separated　cavities　connected　by　optical　fibers　via　quantum　Zeno　dynamics.　Our　scheme　is　based　on　the　resulting　effective　dynamics　induced　by　continuous　coupling　between　the　atoms　and　cavities.　The　effects　of　decoherence　such　as　atomic　spontaneous　emission　and　the　fiber　and　cavity　losses　are　considered.　Numerical　results　show　that　the　scheme　is　very　robust　against　the　cavity　decay　due　to　a　tiny　excitation　probability　of　the　cavity　fields　during　the　operation.　©　2011　Elsevier　B.V.