The First Version Update

The First Version writing technique is doing miracles! I expect to finish the dissertation in a week or so. Just kidding. Maybe not completely.

The First Version

In an attempt to plunge into the cool part of my dissertation writing I am experimenting with the First Version writing technique that Peter Elbow talks about in his Writing with Power book. So far it seems this technique has really unleashed a whole bunch of exciting thoughts and ideas. Peter is a saint! And so is my friend Barbara who recommended his book!

Philosophy

I started re-working on some introductory statements about the nature of suicide. I was reading some philosophically oriented text and the questions that were raised there were quite profound and unsettling: Is it cowardly? Is it sick? Is it a symptom of mental illness? Is it an expression of freedom? ... ... Quite a bit to ponder...

(Death and) Life

It is slowly dawning on me that, by focusing on death and self-inflicted deaths in particular, this project is actually giving me a chance to gain a better appreciation of life in all its various facets.

Speaking of Light...

...at the end of the tunnel, I was just thinking about "Ciaula Scopre la Luna" by Pirandello. I was introduced to it in 6th or 7th grade. Every time I re-read this piece the emotions are quite overwhelming...Wonderful!

Reading, Reading

I am reading and re-reading some general material to try to get my review of the lit. in shape. Will I ever see the light at the end of the tunnel?

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog about my dissertation! I'm a little anxious about it (understandably so, I guess), so I hope something good will come out of this!