Writing

This has been said many times before, I don't know why I never listen:

The only way to write is to write.

1)Starting:

All that advice about finding inspiration, getting into the mood, freeing your mind, choosing the setting? It doesn't work until you actually begin. And once you begin, it doesn't really matter.

2)Getting stuck:

My thesis draft is virtually unrecognizable from my first write. It was hard, I got stuck, I wasn't sure how to proceed.
But there are books out there on how to write in virtually any format. I found reading and speaking to people was key to organizing my own thoughts- I wasn't sure what I thought until I read it somewhere or told someone, and then things just clicked.

3) Effective reading:

Another thing I've learnt is to never read and copy out the relevant points aimlessly.
Make notes of what you read, save the references, organize the readings, and then write.

4) Trust yourself and your voice:

Your structure will change many times, but you need to be confident about what you've read, what you know, your material. Your confidence and insecurities show through clearly.
Don't use references as a clutch, use them to back up what YOU think.
Always make it easy for the reader- tell them where they're at and where they're going.

5) Editing takes time:

Your edits will change your entire piece. Give yourself enough time to go through your work repeatedly, and ask for feedback.

6) Make it look good:

Formatting, fonts and color matter. No one wants to read massive amounts of text. Make it sound AND look interesting.