GOGSoc Episode V: The GOG Strikes Back

I remember being like that - saw it as a means to an end. Plus given I had zero supervision during my MA, I just couldn't care less at times

-------------------------------------------

So I have a week to write 3000 words - that's absolutely fine. But it's the first thing I've written since my MA thesis (which really is bad having dug it out and re-read it) so I don't know what to start about getting words on a page. Am also highly aware (and as supe pointed out) it's my first piece of written work. Any tips/suggestions before I cry?

I know the feeling...I'm a terrible writing but have to produce between 2000-5000 words a week on average. I would say...just go for it. My writing is never going to be spectacular, especially not in a week, but your supervisor is going to be aware of that, right?

Saying that this is for a masters, pretty sure the level is much higher for a PhD. Take a few minutes to calm and just do it.

You need to get a sense of proportion I think. It's a bar job- he offered you a short notice trial shift and, on reflection, you've declined. From the sound of it, that's the right decision for a whole bunch of what look like good reasons, so park it and move on. Do you really think the owner will be fretting about you turning the offer down?

Soup doesn't appear to be expecting much but you know, first impressions and all that

So I have a week to write 3000 words - that's absolutely fine. But it's the first thing I've written since my MA thesis (which really is bad having dug it out and re-read it) so I don't know what to start about getting words on a page. Am also highly aware (and as supe pointed out) it's my first piece of written work. Any tips/suggestions before I cry?

It's just another reminder of why I need to stop drinking - I say stupid things and get into awkward situations.

Just start writing and don't fret about it too much. It may well end up being one of the weakest pieces you'll produce during your PhD, and it's unlikely to become part of your thesis (not as it stands, anyway), but your supervisor probably knows that too and isn't expecting an awful lot from it. The main point is that it will help you to get back into writing, and it will do that even if it's not quite up to scratch.

Trying to write 300 words on why my research on an alien culture from the best part of 3000 years ago is relevant today.

Was that for that Ertegun thing? I had a look at that and realised that I don't think my proposed research is relevant or useful in any way, and I can't even come up with any arguments that might sound convincing even though I don't believe them. So in the end I didn't bother.

Meh. Once the PhD is over, which it is, and has been for two months, it is *really bloody hard* to summon the will to reopen the document. I need to polish it and send it off to a publisher. The publisher is waiting to see it. I'm totally paralysed! #fatigueanddisgust

(And I have a sore arm from playing Bubble Island for ages on facebook. Just to let you know where my priorities apparently lie!)

It's more...I don't know some of these things...it's not that they're not interesting but it's just...not the way I see my thesis going. I understand my supe is very enthusiastic and everything; his suggestions for readings, arranging meetings with academics etc etc are helpful but I feel as if I'm not 100% in control of how this is developing, you know?

Thanks I think you're right, it was a bit presumptuous of him to think I could drop everything a couple of hours before my first 'shift'. So relieved I said no to be honest: the thought of heading down there to work until the small hours makes me shudder. Instead I've cooked us a nice meal and am now settling down to some gentle reading

So I have a week to write 3000 words - that's absolutely fine. But it's the first thing I've written since my MA thesis (which really is bad having dug it out and re-read it) so I don't know what to start about getting words on a page. Am also highly aware (and as supe pointed out) it's my first piece of written work. Any tips/suggestions before I cry?

Meh. Once the PhD is over, which it is, and has been for two months, it is *really bloody hard* to summon the will to reopen the document. I need to polish it and send it off to a publisher. The publisher is waiting to see it. I'm totally paralysed! #fatigueanddisgust

(And I have a sore arm from playing Bubble Island for ages on facebook. Just to let you know where my priorities apparently lie!)

I was like that with my MSt dissertation, but now I'm just indifferent towards it (never intended to publish it though). Maybe in a few years I'll be indifferent to the inadequacies of my PhD thesis, but that doesn't help me right now... *shame* How much do you have to cut? One reason I've never published an article out of my thesis is that the chapters are so long, cutting them into articles would be too much work and annoyance.

Does anyone who knows about computers know what it means if one's computer refuses to shut down? When I tell it to, nothing happens. I think it has a virus (because when I leave it open, a weird screensaver of random videos appears) but I'm not sure what to do about this. I can't afford proper anti-virus software and my free McAfee trial expired (and also didn't seem to help). I'm totally clueless

I was like that with my MSt dissertation, but now I'm just indifferent towards it (never intended to publish it though). Maybe in a few years I'll be indifferent to the inadequacies of my PhD thesis, but that doesn't help me right now... *shame* How much do you have to cut? One reason I've never published an article out of my thesis is that the chapters are so long, cutting them into articles would be too much work and annoyance.

I was like that with my MSt dissertation, but now I'm just indifferent towards it (never intended to publish it though). Maybe in a few years I'll be indifferent to the inadequacies of my PhD thesis, but that doesn't help me right now... *shame* How much do you have to cut? One reason I've never published an article out of my thesis is that the chapters are so long, cutting them into articles would be too much work and annoyance.

Does anyone who knows about computers know what it means if one's computer refuses to shut down? When I tell it to, nothing happens. I think it has a virus (because when I leave it open, a weird screensaver of random videos appears) but I'm not sure what to do about this. I can't afford proper anti-virus software and my free McAfee trial expired (and also didn't seem to help). I'm totally clueless

In the good old days, computers had on/off switches. So if you had to forcibly shut down your computer you only had to flick a switch instead of having to keep pressing some stupid button for ages while cursing under your breath.