Monday, January 15, 2007

indecisive

Half the day is gone now. The plan was to sit and try to finish my overdue paper; in fact, yesterday was my external deadline. I mean, I told my prof I'd have something done in two weeks, but technically now it is one day late, and it already 4:30 pm. Yesterday was at least productive as I managed to write 3 whole pages, which is a step up. Maybe I'm just sick of staying home and trying to write -- I used to be able to convince myself to work at a cafe, but schlepping my books and latop was always a question. I half wish I lived near campus again, since last semester I used to write in library and get something done. So now I just go for a quick walk to get my double soy latte (which I get free from cafe job, thankfully). In the last week, I've been doing lots of reading and scribbling notes that will end up on the paper. The problem is I've started like 3 or 4 drafts, all of which start in a different way but similar ideas. It's always like, should I start with a historical/literary context first? or should I begin with the actual topic and consider why it is worth studying? Or should I start in media res and write part of the "case" I am analyzing? Every time I read an article I am at a total loss. "I wish I can write like this" is what end up thinking.

I just need to write. I just need to write and finish (!) and then submit the blasted paper already! okay, so it is about 5pm and need to get something done before midnight, since I work at 6:30 in the morning. No golden globes and no looking at itunes or myspace music to listen to the Knife.

2 comments:

al-maraya said...

Hi! Call it fate, but I stumbled upon your blog while randomly surfing and decided to read your post. Since I'm a professor of English, I'll give you the same advice that I give to my students when they have problems getting started with an assignment or moving beyond a certain point in one they have begun -- write anything! Don't worry about organization or any of the finer points of assembling the final draft right now. The best way to get over the hump is to just put your thoughts down as they occur. You can always copy and paste them into the precise order needed to fine tune your paragraphs AFTER you've moved the thoughts from your head to the keyboard and screen. Good luck with your assignment!

in pieces said...

Fate! Thanks so much, al-maraya!