something personal

[howsmyenglish]

Dear invisible friends, I've decided that I need to come out, at least partly. I have hinted in more than one place that I can not start working on my book yet, because I have to finish something else before that. This something else is a doctoral dissertation. The thing is, I didn't want to admit that I have to write one, because I myself do not want to write it. I've been trying to avoid any thought or mention of it. But now I think it might even help me to talk about it here from time to time. I've been struggling with this for many years. My reason for writing it is simply that I want to keep the job I have now. I do not plan to become a professor or something. And I don't really see the point in academic texts - that is, other than it being a reason for other academics to write more academic texts. So, my dissertation is a major struggle and I do so wish it could be over already. I could drop it, of course, but dropping... I mean... I am very much against starting things and not finishing them, and also - without this dissertation I really might have trouble keeping my job, which I love. So, there it is. I'll go on struggling, and, maybe, writing about it from time to time.
But, people, once this is over there's a huge piece of candy waiting for me behind the PhD door: I will start working on my book! So far I only think about some of the characters from time to time. For now, fiction writing is more of a dream and something I very rarely attempt to have a go at when my brain refuses to think about the diss any longer. Don't think me lazy if I only talk about "plots" and "stories" and don't post any. :)
Thanks for reading!

Comments

[eller]

But that's so nice! You get to write a doctoral dissertation! I'm also working on mine although we're probably working on different subjects. :) It's not all that scary, though. I'll admit scientific writing is no fun (at all) but I don't think it's pointless or anything. You'll create new knowledge for humankind!

[howsmyenglish]

I had the feeling, we were in the same boat, and it did sound like you're more comfortable inside it than I am ;)

Thank you for the encouragement! I don't know about the world, but i certainly will create new knowledge for myself, and this must be worth some trouble.

[eller]

Yes, I'm lucky enough to do something that I actually like doing...

New knowledge for yourself is already a worthy goal!

[howsmyenglish]

That's so great! I envy you, but just a little: after all, I actually like to do what I'm doing as well, precisely this is the reason for my doing something i don't quite like at the moment 😁

1. English is excellent

[jesse_the_k]

2. Wandered in from the dw_news megapost.

3. I don't even have a college degree, and I have read many academic books because they're about something interesting. I think it's important to take the long view: when you've written it down, you've added to the store of knowledge available for future humans.

4. Hi!

Re: 1. English is excellent

[howsmyenglish]

4. Hi! :D

3. Yes, I know, though I don't really believe that my addition to the store of knowledge will really count for much. But thank you very much for your words! These things help. (as well as the reminder for myself that I did say that I intended to write about it from time to time instead of hiding from it;)

1. Thank you!