Roll up roll up Autumn Writing Challenge!

[bigkidsdidit]

Welcome everyone to Autumn Writing. Post your targets to be done before Christmas. Small or large!

Good stuff both.
I feel like I'm grinding to a halt with this chapter. I was writing quite a bit when this thread started but I've lapsed back to snail pace since last week. Feeling now like the project is just too big. Ive realised I won't make my Xmas deadline. I think the best I can do is get the monograph to a state where the remaining work is mechanical and filling in gaps, rather than big ideas and connections. I just don't want to be thinking about it any more in the new year. I can cope with cosmetics but that's it. In fact it's taking so long im tempted to give it all up, and I mean the job too!

Your post really reminded me of transition stage in labour you know you're nearly there when you suddenly think 'oh god I can't do it there's nothing left to give'

That plan sounds good though - ideas and rough writing now, tidying in the new year

Ha ha good analogy. I should have opted for c-section!

Half an hour of Grant 2 (now decided at March deadline), but need to get more done on the next lot of lectures this afternoon, plus leave early so DH can have the car for a DC related chore. Have a family member visiting so no writing this evening either.

This morning I am going to try to do the last bits I can on the co-written chapter and then send it back to my co-author. I haven't solved all the problems I've identified but at least I've articulated them and maybe she will have some more ideas about how to fix them.

This afternoon I'm going to try to ignore the fact that my kids will be home after having been away with their grandparents since Monday, and try to crack on with teaching prep. There's no point going home early to see them because although they'll be pleased to see me and give me lovely hugs, they'll then want to go straight back to computers and ignore me until dinnertime. So I should stay at work and just defer the hugs by a few hours.

I really need to sort out a results section for a paper. Been hanging over my head for months and need to get to it. Hoping to have a final full draft before Christmas. Without all my teaching in semester one that would be possible, we will see.

I've had a few good discussions at the end of last week. Can't wait till Monday to write the stuff up when everyone is out!

I’m going to have roughly written missing sections of chapter 2 by fri, ready to edit Monday. Must have a better work week this week...

Right our status is:
Grant application 1: with co-applicant but I have said I'll work on it today/tomorrow/Thurs as those are the days I have most time.
Grant application 2: unless I get grant application 1 back in the next hour, that's this morning's 2x1/2 hour task.
Book: co-author has promised that back by the end of the week.
Articles: just keeping on nagging ex-student for the first one.

OK just heard from co-applicant - she's doing her bits today.

I'm in a funk

Doing lab work / meeting today then heading home. I have two seminars to write and a fucking pumpkin to carve. I want to sleep.

Yeah Halloween should be a bank hol. All these bloody costumes etc eat badly into normal proceedings

Yay 2x grant 2 1/2 hours done
Off to give a lecture.
Then catch up on email backlog.

One article submitted! Admittedly after I contacted the editor to ask if she would mind it being a bit on the short side...
Then there's another piece I'm working on for a journal special issue. The theme is my thesis topic so I'll be really cross with myself if I don't submit something. Deadline is Wednesday.

Well done everyone! I submitted my paper one today too.

Tomorrow is full of committee business then I'll start paper two

Right, checking in today after a long silence because I have an article deadline tomorrow and I need to focus. I have the baby all day today, one hour of teaching today and three tomorrow, plus 6 essays to mark. So: before 10am today I will chase image permissions and redraft the scary-mess paragraph that's going to turn into section 2.

LRD how do you work with the baby??

And how do you TEACH with the baby??!

Grant 1 work today, half term day off with DC1 tomorrow, grant 1 work Thurs.

I don't! Sorry - by all day I meant DP is doing a full day. We swap at 5 and I teach 5-6. I wouldn't teach with her around because it'd just be too distracting.

I will let you know how I work with the baby just as soon as I convince myself I've done anything!

She's asleep right now so long may that continue. I have done my image permissions and half of monster paragraph.

Monster paragraph of doom is conquered. Baby is awake. Now I'm going to re-plan the structure and go for a walk, and if I am lucky she'll let me work in the coffee shop. Plan: re-draft messy notes middle section by 1pm.

Can I join in if I am not an academic but am trying to finish my first book?

Making some good progress today as baby decided to have a nice long nap. Last section of the paper is still a disgrace but there's still time!

Hope baby lets you get some more done this afternoon @LRD.

I could be wrong, but there used to be a writers' chat somewhere on MN?

In my oh-so-thrilling updates: messy middle section mostly ironed out but not as completely as it should be. However, I claim this writing session as a win, since I managed to encounter senior male colleague during one of the very short windows of time when I had my laptop open and was actively typing. Always good.

Cross post. Yay for sleeping babies, hat!

Crappy middle section ironed out. First section finished. Now I have section three and a conclusion to go, and then it's just tidying up references and a proofread.