I've been quiet here, I know. It's a mixed silence, some of it imposed largely out of respect for the devastation in Japan. What sorts of things that I normally write about here have any importance in the face of the aftermath there? I've watched the headlines, counted my blessings. Inched forward with writing elsewhere -- thesis, primarily, and other notes to self.
I'm on the home stretch, despite my advisor's rejecting my most recent plan to get my page count where it needs to be. We don't do analysis in this program, she said; it's not required. By which she meant, no, I don't want a report. I want more of the story.
So I went back to my draft. She'd looked it over and sent good comments, so I had new ideas on how I might make Chapter 6 grow. Early last week, I forwarded a revision to her. Now, with Chapter 7 under construction, I have just nine pages or so to go.
It's a relief -- April 1st is my goal for the final chapter -- but it's also meant a certain amount of living under a rock (beyond reading the online news). I'm taking it in stints. Each weekday, a morning session, an afternoon session. Nights off. At the worst part of the struggle to get Chapter 6 started, I was staring at the screen at all hours, still getting nowhere.
To counter the feeling that I'm turning into an earwig, I've imposed mandatory outings that involve interaction with people. To get lunch with new acquaintances during the week (a girl has to eat). To peruse an art exhibit on a Saturday afternoon, to attend the symphony with D on a weeknight, even to ski. For that last one, I took the thesis with me and nearly got carsick working on it while D drove into the mountains, but it was worth the effort. I wrote until I was nauseated and then skied until my legs threatened to buckle. Went back home with a clear head, which, above all, is what I need to keep my writing brain moving.
It's not what I expected my writing process to be, but it's true that you can't write well if you spend all your time with your attention turned within. So I'll take it, even if the workaholic in me keeps tapping my shoulder and pointing at the time.
Nine pages. The end's in sight.
Addendum 3/22: Airline tickets for the defense have been purchased. No turning back now!
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8 comments:
Aren't deadlines dreadful. They loom up and also hover in the background - they are never out of our minds, whatever else we are doing. You have my complete and utter sympathies - but look, the end is indeed in sight and how wonderful you will feel when you push the chair back from the monitor, heave that proverbial sigh of relief and shout for joy that you have finished.
I'm rooting for you, CT and I've missed you
x
Julie
Nine pages? Rock on!! You will prevail, my friend. xo
I am so impressed by the fact that you're meeting your deadlines! Way to go! And I think your schedule sounds great. Those kinds of diversions are exactly what writers need (or so I've read). Walks, friends, the arts. Skiing. No justifications necessary. Whenever I read writer's diaries or letters, that's the kind of stuff their lives are made of. Sounds like a wonderful balance (even if you don't feel especially balanced right now).
And, yes, the devastation is Japan is, for me, apocalyptically unimaginable.
Hang in there!
Hello, FF! I look forward with great relish to that sigh of relief. I've missed you too.
TKW -- thank you. Today's break will involve the sewing machine. Yes.
GEW -- I cannot believe I'm within shooting distance of my deadlines. I just need everything to keep going in this vein for another week and a half. Fortunately, the activities are keeping me from thinking about that too much, another function of the whole diversion strategy ...
Way to go!! Deadline in sight! I know you'll be glad when it's done.
Hi Sherlock -- yes, so very close. Can't wait!
Sometimes it takes an extraordinary effort and amount of time to get where you want to go. But you do. Truly.
And yes - Japan, the Middle East. It's hard not to feel it looming. But each day we have living to do. The business of living. Our little piece in the puzzle of our families and offices and communities. We have to keep going. What else is there?
And you, chere CT - keep at it. You'll get there!
I know you know, BLW, the extraordinary efforts needed sometimes for the distances we have to make ourselves travel. Thank you for the encouragement. Progress this week has been two steps forward, one step back. But my net gain is still positive!
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