Very Slow Bits of Progress

It's a maturing process.. writing long manuscripts such as a college based manuscripts has become very challenging.

I just got a bit of feedback - not barely enough to understand on the mobile to Mobile conversation ... all I could hear was: 'research, not enough research.. prove to your readers that what you have done works..

Well, obviously I knew I had not put [enough] research. I had put in some, but it needed a lot of careful reshaping. Well, I guess that is why I have a mentor??
It was discouraging, but clearly, not hurtful news. I hoped to have heard something a bit more glowing. But at the end of the day, writing is not automatic and the incremental stages of progress are worthy.

Well, it was another great leap to faith. I knew the overall route, but struggling to get the words safely carried out is a great task. I find myself making inch-by-inch progress - never glowing at the end of the day, but the point is:

with regard to writing research based manuscripts that are on the long(ish) side:
1. maintain focus even if the feedback isn't what you want to hear
2. use the research from the focus point branching out extending to illustrated specific teaching related points
3. References are of course always helpful

I must say clearly I felt I had simply 'jumped in' and revised without sticking to an outline. After all, I was writing about my teaching.. why would i need an outline? Even if the subject seems crystal clear- I think I will start again writing tomorrow with an outline. it might help with some of those faith issues, even when I feel I'm sinking.

Despite this delayed feedback, which I had to seek out and not the other way around, I will continue to write. After all, mentors are to faciliate - and hopefully, the message will seep into the more earthy areas of writing and not via the self-editing critic!

Happy Friday!