Write early, write often

I am struggling through my first paper for my directed field study course.

I am one of these "do-all-your-research-first-and-then-write-the-paper-after" types. I am quickly learning that this is not the best way for me to go.

I spent about 4 weeks reading, reading, reading. I thought all I'd have to do is sit down, undertake the arduous task of organizing the information, and then write it all down. An edit or two, and done!

I forget EVERY TIME that writing is such a bloody process. I'm finding that I am writing stuff and then having to put (CITATION NEEDED) all over the place. Damn, damn, dammit!

I am this way because I am so afraid to write anything if I haven't read it somewhere else. My fear of being wrong is getting very annoying.

Be cocky. Write as you research.

Start the writing process when you start you first wee bit of research. Fill in the gaps as you go. When you're not sure, write what you'd like to say and back it up with research (or change it) afterward.

It is a hell of a lot easier searching for a specific piece (say a definition, or historical information) than sifting through piles of general material looking for a gem.

It is true that you have to start with a real general look at the literature when you begin just to get an idea of what is out there. But don't spend too long getting the big picture.

I have spent too much time looking at the big picture. It is like I am floating in space looking way down at my tiny desk and tiny paper. I'm so high up that I can't see my tiny pen on the desk. Space is a cold, lonely place. No air, no pens.

Do some general stuff, then write. Try to write the story - what did you learn from all the stuff? What if you were telling someone a story about it? How would it go? What would the key points be? What do the really important characters say? Can you group the characters?

How does the story relate to what you want to do? Is the story that you want to tell missing? Has it been told the wrong way by others?

As you write the story, construct it the way you want it to be. Be liberal in your placement of (CITATION NEEDED) brackets. Fill 'em up later. Correct them later.

Just get the story down. Once it is down, you are in the homestretch.