This feels really weird. I'm on the brink of my first project deadline for school. The deadline looms dangerously close. Under normal circumstances, this would cause me to flip into a panic and instantly become super-motivated and focused on getting through it.
I find the opposite is true. I'm becoming increasingly distracted and my level of concentration seems to be diminishing. These distractions include but are not limited to:
I'm tired
I'm hungry
Oh yes, the long list of things OTHER than this that require my attention
I truly thought that I would become so engrossed in the paper that the outside world would just fade into the distance. Not true. The outside world is serving as an annoyance - frustrating me because... when I hit that brick wall of writer's block, my mind zips to something else I'd SOONER be doing than being in writer's block. I'd really rather be slamming words to the page, yammering on and on defending my thesis statement.
Alas, no... I'm just trying to avoid the feeling of writer's limbo by stuffing a distraction in the way.
Chatted with my friend M. yesterday - or was it the day before - about a 5000 word essay he wrote years ago that caused him to stay up all night, drink copious amounts of rye, and meet daylight and his Dad at the breakfast table with a completed work in Canadian History that earned him an 85% grade.
Maybe that's it. I think it was Sare who said "Remember, Turtle... 4AM is the new 1AM..."
So, to Sare's Uncle J. (AKA Anvilcloud) I know I promised a draft by yesterday, and you've been more than kind to offer your experienced quil of guidance, but alas... I'm stuck. I'm going to have a nap and see where it takes me. Then, maybe 4AM will bring with it some inspiration.
And to Jeremiah and Susie too... thanks for the offer... I've hit my wall and need to regroup.
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About Me
- Turtle Guy
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- English student, Pottery enthusiast, Yoga novice and lover of all people. I make friends over a warm handshake and a beverage. I discover, every day, someone willing to help me along my path.
7 comments:
Hey Turtle,
The thing with deadlines is... Well... nothing, they just are. I never could get a project done any length of time ahead of the deadline. I seem to be the 'holy crap it's due in three days' kind of person, however that being said, when I do finally reach that point, things just seem to happen. I've also done my share of all nighters and the though does not entice me to return. 4am being the new 1am? eek, say it's no so.
Anyway, you are a thinker, so that can get in your way. Try not to overthink your project and just start typing. There's something about the brain to keyboard connection that can make things flow.
I'd offer further help but I suck at english. lol
All the Best!
Very normal student stuff you are going through here... Not to worry. Some of us go through entire academic careers much the same way you are going through this paper. Not to worry... The paper will get done. You will survive to do the next one.
I hate when that happens. I'm one of these people who LOVES to write, but more often that not- I will become distracted by everything, instead of doing what I need to. I definitely can sympathize with ya there!
Take a deep breath, and relax. Now write a sentence of two, the rest will follow. :)
Plod on, one sentence at a time. Give yourself permission to write badly, go off the subject, wind around, then come back slowly. Writing is a process and you just need to get underway. Trust me. Every last one of my posts started with me saying "Okay, this is it. I have absolutely run out of things to say. I give up." Then, I start writing...
I think it's normal for us humans to do things at the last minute I can never get an assignment done unless my time is almost up. These days I usually manage to avoid the staying up all night scenario though - although I have 3 or 4 papers due on the same week in December so I may just end up eating my words! 4am is the new 1am - wow you learn something new every day.....
Glad you got it done. I'm sure that it will be good. Let's hope the teacher thinks so, eh.
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