I began work on my second chapter about a month ago - far, far behind schedule - and my process has been radically different. I've never planned an essay or a chapter in my life before; I've tried, but I get frustrated and end up launching into the fun, writing stage. I usually end up editing and re-editing my work as I go along, having a vague idea in mind which becomes more clearly defined the more I write and edit.
Up until now, it's worked, although it has always been rather an embarrassment to admit to. It certainly doesn't come across as methodologically sound.
Yet so far the greatest challenge I've encountered in writing my thesis is finishing my first chapter - and that is entirely down to my way of working. As a consequence, I'm planning my second chapter out meticulously - down to the paragraph. While I'm feeling frustrated again - I want to write, not plan! - I can't deny that this has been invaluable thus far. For instance, I'd originally conceived the idea to write about the conflict between classical and Christian interpretations of heroism between 1710 and 1737 - but quite honestly, it was hard to keep this on the topic of comic sword-fighting. If I hadn't planned out my chapter then it might have taken me weeks of writing and editing before I'd come to that realisation.
I am a rather reluctant convert. I still think that there's a lot to be said for starting out with nothing but a few key ideas in mind - it brings a spontaneity to writing that's hard to replicate. Certainly my more successful creative endeavours have been as a result of writing without planning: I know what I want to say and the mood I want to create, and those things would be lost if I spent too much time considering what ought to go where. Academic writing, on the other hand? Well, I suppose that deserves a little more thought.
