Reflections

Winston Churchill said, "If you're going through hell, keep going."

I read frequently.  I don't mind writing... or so I thought.  Writing on a certain topic, to prove a point, or actually having to choose then prove an opinion has always been a different story for me.  Enter: my own personal version of hell.

The reading that was assigned this semester was fantastic.  Revolving on a science theme, it has made several ideas more accessible and encouraged me to find ways to communicate a complex idea clearly.  Reading selections (particularly "The Orchid Children" and "The Nice Little People" -- both subjects of  my research papers) were anecdotal and seemingly simple but allowed plenty of room for interpretation.  

I was already familiar with many of the writing methods introduced in this course.  But it had been several years since I'd been forced to apply them to any writing, let alone in the newer, more challenging field of science.  It was a challenge.  

First, I was filled with excitement.  Having just finished a fantastic story or read about an interesting idea or genetic discovery, I was eager to begin work.  Reading through material and finding sources was fun.  The flexibility of topic choice gave enough freedom to keep me engaged and excited about learning more.  

Then, the flexibility of topic-- so recently enjoyed-- became a serious problem for me.  At each assignment, I would get too excited.  I'd find so much information and want to study each area so in depth that the number of sources and possible directions to go in often became unmanageable.  I'd begin writing.... and end up with pages and pages of information completely unrelated to my original point.  

In comes the writing method that I "knew". 

Annotated bibliographies, identifying theses, and being held accountable to a timeline and peer group proved to be the push I needed to get my organization and goal in check (this is the "keep going" part). 

And it worked. Well, for the most part.  My first drafts were weak-- rarely more than lists of loosely associated ideas and interesting quotes.  Ann Lamot's "Shitty First Drafts" helped me get past the initial embarrassment of having to turn in something incoherent; it gave me hope that with enough work, something decent *might* just result.  

My second drafts were better.  The final drafts-- though admittedly still far from perfect-- were a transformation.  

This semester has been a challenge.  The time constraints were at times difficult to manage (this was 1 of 5 summer classes; mix in 2 vacations and a full time job), writer's block drove me crazy, and I wanted to have time to read and research so many more of the topics I came across.  In the end, I know that I put in full effort and am very satisfied with the result and my growth.  The skills I learned (see prior post bullets) and discipline I was forced to practice will be a good foundation for my future writing endeavors and process management.