Edit, Edit, Edit

I've been writing like a mad woman for the past two months.  Now I'm in the editing phase.  This phase is much less rewarding than the writing phase.  There are no massive word counts to show for the hours of work--just an aneurism from reading my poorly written drafts.  It is sightly disheartening.  But I'm trying to stay motivated with embarrassing music selections on my Pandora and Dr Peppers!

On a completely random note: I watched Rudy last night; why are there no inspirational PhD movies?

2 hours a day

The bookstore is always filled with books that claim that you can write your dissertation in only 3 hours a day.  Personally, I've always been suspicious of this claim.  But now I believe!

I started off September writing 750 words/ a day.  I realized that this typically took just over an hour. (I didn't claim that it was good writing- just writing).  After my hour I typically read or watched 10 hours of Law and Order.

Then mid-September I had a writing revelation after reading How to Write A Lot.  So my new approach is a scheduled 2 hour block dedicated solely to writing new material 6 days/week.  It has proved to be fruitful! In September I wrote 19,367 words!

Other time is dedicated to editing and reading.  There even is time for some Law and Order!

750 September

In the PhD process there are phases: excited about getting in, I can shape the field, holy shit what am I doing, complaining to other grad students, looking up salaries of fast food restaurant managers, and committing to getting the f**k out of dodge.
I am in the last phase on that list.  As part of that I have committed myself to writing 750 words a day (no more than 500 of which can be notes), everyday in September.*  While I'm still reading and compiling literature, I HAVE to write.  Because I HAVE to graduate!

*I did make a similar (read the same) pact last September, but this year I'm doing it!

Every Day in September

I will write a 750 words for something... notes for field statements, grant proposals, etc.
My weekend trip to NOLA could be a problem. But I can probably write 750 words on the joys of Pat O'Briens and Cafe du Monde.

Grad Student Pact

I have nominally made a pact with a fellow grad student to write at least 500 words everyday.  Today is the day we begin.  It was suggested that we write 800 words a day, but 500 seemed more realistic.  So far I've written 58.