Monday, September 19, 2005

In the beginning. . . the page.

It's official. I am writing a thesis. Not just talking about it anymore. I put pen to paper last night. . . well . . . fingers to keyboard.

It's much less intimidating this way. Sure, I have miles to go before I rest, but that first step feels pretty good. I've spent so much time being afraid that I had forgotten how satisfying it can be to compose. To create. To make something out of nothing.

It's crap, don't get me wrong. But it's my crap. I wrote it.

Angela and I used to keep paper-o-meters in college. We'd mark off pages on our white board like notches on the United Way thermometer. I don't plan to keep one for this baby, but if it matters to anyone else: one page down, seventy-ninish to go.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jess... I'd like to hear more about your subject.
Lisa

aemelia said...

Beginnen ist halb getann.
That's German for Getting started is half the battle. Yup, yup. Keep it up.

Anonymous said...

Lisa -- Check out "The Big-Ass Paper" in the August archives. It's more complicated than that, but the the gist is there.

And Ann, thanks.

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS.

Good going.

Undomestic said...

Excellent!! You've done more than most!

LH said...

you awesome possum. make sure to reward yourself handily.

jm said...

It's like skiing. You're over that ridge at the top of the slope and it's all downhill from here. Maybe a few moguls, but not to worry, you're on your way! Yeah!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you've done the proverbial pen-to-paper thing. I hope I never have to write a thesis. I think it would be about how learning the client, science, facts, and legal theory of every single case I take is a thesis in itself - every time I get a new one I have to get it all down in my head in thesis fashion ... so I never get the satisfaction of the pen-to-paper thing. I think I might try that next time...

Anonymous said...

One step at a time
Ddoc

Anonymous said...

Is that you Dad???

Anonymous said...

That be me!
Ddoc

Anonymous said...

Nice to have your input, dDoc -- the original Doc.