End of the quarter

The time is upon us: the dreaded end of the quarter. I always forget how hectic everything becomes at this time of year. Not only do I have to get finished up with all those things I said I'd do before the quarter is over, I have to start thinking about the holidays. I was going along okay until my adviser dredged up a book chapter that I said I'd like to help write and outlined a few months ago. Now, we're hoping to get an extension on the deadline, but even that means it'll be due at the beginning of the year. As I go into this new project, I'm determined to apply what I've learned about paper writing over this quarter. First and foremost: I won't have it perfectly written the first time I try. I think I've come up with a new strategy for paper writing:

1. Start a document for my notes that includes freewrites at the beginning of each session to get down my ideas.

2. Write on whatever jumps out as the most important.

3. Pull the pieces together until they form a coherent whole.

4. Leave the revisions until the end. Some pieces will be cut entirely and others will be expanded, but you can't know that until the end.

5. Keep writing until the paper feels right. This means having confidence that you know what a good paper is and can write something you'll be proud of.

Hopefully, by following this new approach, I can have a less stressful writing experience.

Today's Grad Gravy: Figure out your personal writing style.