I wrote my dissertation, Womanish Ways, in about a year. I had the funding to concentrate on it completely without working or teaching, and I had the motivation to get it one before I started my first position as a professor. As a graduate student, it was a privileged position to be in. But as a writer, I have been questioning lately if it was a good thing. Completing that work was probably the last time I had a consistent daily writing practice.
Dissertation writing was a weird and intense time. As the years go by, I have probably made it more romantic and idyllic than it was, but I remember with fondness the way my days revolved around the work. Wake up, eat, write all day and night, sleep in, wake up, eat, write, etc. I lived at home that year, so my responsibilities were few, and my mother was incredibly generous in creating a space for incredible focus. Much like having a baby, the painful parts of that writing labor do not dominate my memories of that time. In fact, if it wasn’t for the retellings of others (one of my mom’s friends, for example, would ask, “How’s the vampire doing?”), I probably would have convinced myself by now that it was all pink, fluffy unicorns dancing on rainbows.
Now that I’m writing again more regularly as well as writing in community, I have been working through a lot of ideas (and, frankly, baggage) around my writing and my relationship to it. I have gained increasing insight on the ways my dissertation writing still impacts my process and progress today. As a result of that season, I had created limiting expectations about the conditions I needed to write. It focused me on my ability to create significant output while obscuring the process and years of input that came before those months. It shaped my perception of audience, voice, value, and so much more.
As I am working through these things, it has been great to know that I’m not alone. Many of the writers I am connecting with now have expressed all sorts of wrestling with expectations, process, progress, and product. So my prayer today is for myself as well as all of us in the work of writing, creating, and surrendering all parts of every process we’re in to Him.
Creator God, You give good gifts. Writing (creating), with all its ups and downs, is one of Your good gifts to me, and I am grateful. Please make of my writing–this gift–what You will. Help me to see it with Your eyes each day. Encourage my heart to embrace the process, celebrate the progress, and dismiss that expectations that are premeditated disappointments in my work. Give me the strength to release patterns, conditions, habits, and goals of the past and cling to just You for what is to come–for what we will make today. I want You to take the lead here. Walk me into new words, new dreams, and new creations that honor You. You have already equipped me with what I need. Thank You, Lord. Cultivate in me a spirit of boldness to try new things as well as a spirit of discernment to hear Your voice and guidance for direction. I am so thankful for every opportunity You give to collaborate with You in the beauty of making.
Grow in me Your fruit in this creative process. Refresh my love of writing each morning and point me to joy in the insights and connections we make together. Allow me to enter my creative space daily with Your abiding peace and patience. Direct the kindness You’ve instilled in me to those You would call me to serve with this art. Cast each piece in goodness, and may You get the glory in my faithfulness. Restore in me a spirit of gentleness at the end of each night that I may be satisfied with (and not critical of) my progress for the day. In You, may I find the power to be focused (self-controlled) in stewarding Your great and amazing gift.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Dr. Mon's Creative Space 
Wake up, eat, write, sounds like the perfect life indeed. I’m living somewhat of the same life now, and can’t imagine doing anything else. Nice post. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading! What a season–I hope that you get to continue to craft the creative life you enjoy!
I’m so fortunate not only to have come across your blog, but also that you shared this experience. Although I haven’t written a dissertation, I have written many proposals, speeches and other projects. Now that I’m a bit older, have found my purpose after overcoming some major struggles the last few years, my perspective is extremely different. Mostly due to still learning how to navigate a recent disability, but I completely relate to this post especially with regards to shaping the audience, voice, etc. I wish you well in your journey and many blessings. Thanks again for sharing.
Sorry for my late response! Thank you so much for visiting and sharing your perspective. I’m glad this resonated with you. Blessings to you as you continue to walk in your purpose!
Oh, the dissertation days! By the time I got to the dissertation, I was fed up with Florida and needed to be gone, so I took my first FT tenure-track position right after I was admitted to candidacy. My days weren’t carefree, but it got done…eventually. The dissertation reminds me that I can do hard things. Again, thank you for the prayer.