Dissertation Update

[cwmackowski]

I have 27,028 words written for my dissertation so far. I keep writing, hoping that an actual form will begin to manifest itself, but so far, nothing is materializing. I don't know the shape of the thing yet. I don't know what I want it to be. I don't have a narrative arc. What I do have are snippets, vignettes, reflections, short narrative

Comments

[anthrojesus]

When I have this problem I allot more time for editing.
Am I right? Make a wider rift between the writer and editor?

[vivitalia]

Jared: You're right, if the way I write is also right. If not, we're all screwed.

When I run into that problem (which, creatively, is almost always) I write like hell until I can't write anymore or until my deadline crawls up on me, whichever comes first, and then edit what I've got into something usable.

Sure, trust the process. More like: stumble through the fog until you find something and then hold on. It'll be a helluva ride.

[cwmackowski]

Yeah, normally I'd just keep writing and trust that things will begin to materialize into some sort of shape that I can then get my arms around. It usually starts to come together earlier than this, though, which is what has me disconcerted.