I have met many people who finished everything in their doctorate and then failed to write their dissertation. The pitfalls are many. In a weekend seminar they warned us of the many obstacles we may face. I am trying to overcome a writers block about my chapter on our changing culture and the ways those changes lead to the need for new models of ministry.
I paused to record some of the barriers keeping me from wanting to write.
- Expectation that I won't like what I write. I think this block comes from the sense that I don't like where I am headed with something and I just want to stop writing. To head this off, I tried to start over in a new direction to find the one that I actually feel in my gut. When the structure of my writing leads me in a direction that falls out of step with my gut, I hit a block.
- Concern that my content reader won't like it. This is related. It is a sense that I am headed in a direction that is open to criticism. I can try to step back and start again. Maybe though, I need to just get the whole thought out there and then decide whether to trash it and start again or revise it.
- Frustration that I have written a chapter like this before and I don't want to have to write another one for this setting. I have to be more concise here than I was in previous papers. It is frustrating writing something again, gathering resources and citations again, knowing that I've done it before. I can not just use what I did before, though, because it doesn't fit the space or flow.
- A gestalt feeling that I just want to stop this and do something else. In the end, it all leads up to this, defeating that inward drive to quit.
Four vices for getting over writer’s block and completing your dissertation:
1.Fear, panic and general anxiety: I am not sure if these embody a true vice, but fear and panic are some of the most motivating emotions in the human repertoire. I did some of my best writing while wrapped in a warm blanket of sheer panic. Scare yourself silly and start writing.
2. Gluttony: have a long midday nap, take a long invigorating shower, two cups of coffee quickly followed by a glass of port…commence writing. Pure genius is guaranteed. Once you have written a good paragraph, go out and buy yourself a new computer monitor… you deserve it.
3. Arrogance: this is perhaps the lowest form of dissertation motivation. Think of all those fellow students who have barely mastered the footnote or a well reasoned academic argument, but yet somehow, still managed to successfully pass their dissertation reviews. Surely you are better than those people (admit it we have all had this thought).
4. Egotism: closely related to point 3, but get out your CV and picture “Rev. Dr.” in front of your name. Think of all the power and influence this will afford you. Pay no mind to the mundane reality and just focus on the fantasy: unlit pipe in mouth, glass of port or sherry in hand, your latest book up on the shelf (in hardback, naturally). You are scholar extraordinaire...start writing!
I am sure you could think up a few virtuous motivations but I am experiencing a bit of writer’s block just now.
Good luck with it Bill, I have full confidence in your ability to produce a great dissertation.
Thanks Bret. The consequences of quitting aren't as high for me, though there are of course consequences. I am hoping today will be better.
I really like number 2.
I am hoping today will be better. I know my subconscious is working out problems when a revised thesis statement comes to mind in the shower.
Now all you have to do is get yourself a waterproof laptop and you could do all your writing in the shower. Think of the inspiration!
We'd need a bigger hot water heater.
