Friday, June 15, 2007
Moving ahead
Using an outline to write chapter two helped me a lot to organize my ideas. I used the subtopics as section headings, dividing the text by topic, and making it easier to read. As I worked through it, I made changes, renaming a section or moving sections/subtopics around. The outline really helped me to organize the chapter contents and to tie in one section with the next. It also helped me when writing because I was able to add an idea to a different section the moment I thought of it, even complete sentences, that I was able to use later on or modify as needed.
I tried to follow Roberts' and Dr. Dawson's recommendations, worked with the editions Dr. Telg gave me during my proposal presentation, also used Dr. Mirka's strategy. That is, writing sentences or ideas on a piece of paper, wherever you are, saving them in a special place, and when it comes time to write, reviewing what you have and using what is appropriate at the moment. All in all, I think chapter two new draft is much better, although I know I might have to work more on it. We'll see what happens when the new revisions come in.
As the week unfolded I worked more and more hours each day. I had that feeling, that I was finishing chapter two and really wanted to make it true. My husband took care of the kitchen and cooked lunch and dinner, so that I could continue working on the dissertation. I remembered my friend Dina when she was writing chapter four, and how she needed to take little breaks when writing. I had to too, specially if I felt I was going to get a headache. Just walking a little, or crocheting a few minutes, allowed me to clear my mind and go back to work.
So, a new draft of chapter two is out. I made a list of what I still need to do, including those things I have started and not finished, and taped it on the wall by my desk. I organized my desk and placed all the journal articles about Writing in Mathematics in a folder, so that I can easily find them later on, when I work on more revisions and when I update the reference list. Cleaning my desk as much as possible, leaves space for chapter four data, my next main task.
Now I don't know if its because I have worked many hours this week, or because I have that feeling of finishing something that I don't feel like working today. But I will push myself to work at least one period of two hours. Little by little you can accomplish so much! I know that, and I push my self to do just that.
I am moving ahead and it is scary and good at the same time! :-)
I tried to follow Roberts' and Dr. Dawson's recommendations, worked with the editions Dr. Telg gave me during my proposal presentation, also used Dr. Mirka's strategy. That is, writing sentences or ideas on a piece of paper, wherever you are, saving them in a special place, and when it comes time to write, reviewing what you have and using what is appropriate at the moment. All in all, I think chapter two new draft is much better, although I know I might have to work more on it. We'll see what happens when the new revisions come in.
As the week unfolded I worked more and more hours each day. I had that feeling, that I was finishing chapter two and really wanted to make it true. My husband took care of the kitchen and cooked lunch and dinner, so that I could continue working on the dissertation. I remembered my friend Dina when she was writing chapter four, and how she needed to take little breaks when writing. I had to too, specially if I felt I was going to get a headache. Just walking a little, or crocheting a few minutes, allowed me to clear my mind and go back to work.
So, a new draft of chapter two is out. I made a list of what I still need to do, including those things I have started and not finished, and taped it on the wall by my desk. I organized my desk and placed all the journal articles about Writing in Mathematics in a folder, so that I can easily find them later on, when I work on more revisions and when I update the reference list. Cleaning my desk as much as possible, leaves space for chapter four data, my next main task.
Now I don't know if its because I have worked many hours this week, or because I have that feeling of finishing something that I don't feel like working today. But I will push myself to work at least one period of two hours. Little by little you can accomplish so much! I know that, and I push my self to do just that.
I am moving ahead and it is scary and good at the same time! :-)
Labels: outline
