The 17-Step Plan

I've come into this PhD with a determination to try and write often. This is for two reasons: mainly because I want to hone my outcome (my writing). But this determination is just as much because I want to refine the process (how I go about writing).

Here's how my writing process looks at the moment.  After I finish all my reading, and make all my notes, I:

1. Make a brainstorm of criticism and my ideas;
2. Group ideas and number this. Use this as basis for my paragraphs;
3. Wait until tomorrow, because you can't possibly start writing in the middle of the day;
4. Add headers;
5. Crack out 2,000+ words in less than 4 hours;
6. Print off first draft;
7. Wait until tomorrow, because you can't possibly write and proof-read in the same day;
8. Read first draft;
9. Scribble notes all over it;
10. Despair because I have so much editing to do;
11. Spend 3+ hours making corrections/editions and refining my argument;
12. Print off second draft;
13. Wait until tomorrow because you can't possibly write and proof-read in the same day;
14. Despair because I don't want to read it again;
15. Palm it off on husband to proof read;
16. Make corrections as quickly as possible because I don't want to look at it any more;
17. Send off to supervisors with a feeling of dread because it's drained me so much; then
18. Spend the time until my next supervision berating myself for being bad at this writing lark.

It is possible for me to write, but I can't help that feel this isn't the most efficient way to do it: just typing out this 17-step process has made me feel drained, and anxious. However, typing out the process is making me think about which particular elements of this make the process so hard. I'm going to try and suggest a few changes for the next time I write. I might do a follow-up post to see how they go.

Firstly, it takes a few consecutive days. Which as part-timer, I don't have. The intensity of the process (along with my natural tendency to procastinate) means that by the time I finish one stage (usually within a few hours) I run out of motivation to keep going. There are two solutions to this: stop procrastinating (yeah, right) and allow the process to take longer: I'd rather spend 6 hours writing at a manageable pace then spend 3 working flat out and then be drained.

Secondly, my argument changes between my first and second draft. Not majorly, but it often changes in focus or tone. Often I add more evidence. Often I remove points entirely because they suddenly seem weak. I know this isn't unusual; in fact, it's the whole point of editing. But it happens so often, with so many points that it makes me doubt my academic judgement in including them in first place. With the next piece I write, I want to have my ideas clear and present in the first draft, then keep most of the there.

Thirdly, that last draft almost always involves making bitty corrections to references. This one is simple, I think: I need to do my references as I write! More to the point, I need to start using the bibliography function on Microsoft Word. Or finally figure out EndNote...

I'm finally coming up with ideas that I'm proud of, and I think might go somewhere. I'm hoping that if I sort out these areas, I can actually focus on my ideas, not the strain of getting them down on paper.

Of course, in the meantime, I'd love to know what writing blocks you've faced, and how you cope with them.  

Organisation 101: PhD Edition

I'll be honest: I'm not naturally an organised person. I misplace things; I forget the dates of appointments, and misremember the time. So I have to work extra hard to remember where I'm supposed to be and what I'm supposed to be doing, especially now that my week is divded between work and research.

Laptop. Although it's quite hefty, you'll normally see me lugging around my laptop. This is mainly because I've started using Evernote to take and organise most of my notes. But it also means I can quickly look up references, order books, and add events to my calendar.

'To Do' Book. I find I need goals to focus my mind. So I use this grey notebook to make a plan for each week: what I'm aiming to read, topics I want to write about and questions for my supervisors. More importantly, I use this notebook to set five objectives for each day I'm studying. This means when I always have a sense of direction for my research. (On a sidenote, this notebook is really unglamourous. Any suggetsions for a new look? I think gold spots would be nice.)

Bright and Cheerful Diary. I use this for remembering appointments as and when I remember them. (I have an unfortunate habit of completely forgetting important events if I don't write them down!) But, I also use it to keep a record of the hours I work every day. This sounds a bit anal, I know, but hear me out. By keeping an honest record of when I work, I'm able to figure out my lull periods. So far I've learned that my most productive study days start well before 9am. It also means that I have to be a bit more objective about my work. I can see clearly what I've achieved and how hard I've been working. In a long-term project like this, I think that's important.

My mobile. I know, who doesn't carry their mobile? But I do use mine as a study aide too. Sometimes, I find it much easier to snap a picture of a complex diagram to include alongside my notes. Because I'm using Evernote to take my notes, it's easy to take a photo on my phone, and sync it to my work.

Brightly coloured pens. I know, I only have one pen in the picture so this is sort of a cheat. But! It's only because I left my pens at my desk. When I want to clarify ideas, brainstorm, or plan a piece of writing, I find coloured pens are the best way to organise my ideas. I like these because they're fineline and look really pretty.

Do you have any tips for keeping organised? What are your must-haves?