Writer’s Block

I’ve stalled. With just under five months till I submit my completed thesis I have run out of steam. I have no time to waste, and so I waste time. I know all of the advice – I have given it many times, but still I pause. My bookshelves are tidied, my yarn is sorted, my fridge is clean.

I still feel that I need to give myself permission to write. I’m framing my thesis as an auto-ethnography because that feels right – it feels authentic – but I still struggle to justify my approach. Maybe I worry that it is not rigorous enough – maybe my background in anglo-analytic philosophy has trained me to privilege an argumentative style over the explanatory … Maybe I need to channel my inner philosopher (note to self: do not channel your inner Deleuze).

Whatever, the time has come. I remind myself of one of my favourite quotes:

“Fool,” said my muse to me. “Look in thy heart and write.”

Wish me luck …

This entry was posted in #CLMOOC, PhD, Researcher Journal, Writing and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

7 Responses to Writer’s Block

  1. Simon Ensor says:

    I find that I just have to let stuff distill and be quiet.
    After it splurges.
    Have faith. It will be come.

  2. Looking at your structure sheets I wonder if you have linearized your stuff too early? Perhaps it helps if you drop your ideas on a map like my Condensr.de

  3. Thinking of you … sending inspirational thoughts …

  4. Go forth and conquer! Good luck.

  5. Karen LaBonte says:

    I completely understand. And I am completely certain that you got this. Lemme know if there’s anything I can do….

  6. Wendy says:

    As the yarn curls comfortingly around the needle / loop after loop / it does not know the garment it will make / but the maker knows / but can not see it. Loop after loop after loop / sometimes an increase / or colour change is required / the patter talks / or let the yarn talk / let the fibre say how long or how wide / loop after loop / until it is done.

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