Hi, I've collected my data and done some analysis. I've been disseminating the results through writing papers and giving conference presentations.

My problem is that i occasionally procrastinate and not write much. I may spend the day, ticking off less priority stuff on my to do list. I've started using an organiser which has really helped. I'm thinking perhaps its because i still have up till about a year to submit. I need to write 70-100,000 words and don't want to have to wait to the last minute. Though I've written about 30000 words that still need to be edited.. I have 7 chapters and reckon that if i do 10000 per month then i should be fine. Does anyone have any tips?

I'd say stay away from internet forums.(up)

Writing a thesis can only be achieved thanks to lots of procrastination. I should know, I was very good at it and still ended up with a PhD :p

Hi Koturu

A year of writing up isn't a long time and you have no time to waste. I've been writing up solidly for the last 9 months, working at least 12 hours most days, and will still be really, really pushing it to get this thesis done in a year. Don't forget, you might think you only have another 70 000 words to write, but your sup is likely to make you rewrite these, so in actual fact, you could be looking at more like 200 000 words. I will have rewritten everything completely at least twice - so writing 100 000 words three times.

Do a search on the forum on 'procrastination' - there's been lots of threads on this. Have you got a detailed plan for the next year? When each of your chapters will be done by, given back by your sup, when the next version will be done etc? Do a yearly plan, then monthly, then break it down. You'll see time runs out and the fear will make you to get going! Treat your PhD like a job, and put in the hours. Motivate yourself with rewards. Work in small increments, focus, then have a break. I've found the 25 minute timer at http://mytomatoes.com/ to be an essential tool.

Good luck! Keep us posted!

Hi Sue, the tomato stuff really worked. It's a bit similar to using my organiser. Except this time, i really set the timer on the work and not just have a to do list to tick off. I'll check for other ideas on the forum during the 5 minute break.Thanks to everyone.

Hmmm.... http://soapboxstutter.blogspot.com/2006/02/how-to-write-your-thesis-in-week.html :-)

Thanks 404, I think that may be good for writing a paper in one week, but i wouldnt wait till the last week to start writing the PhD. Brain could explode with stress. Cheers-k

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well, the guy suggesting this apparently "means well". ha! :-)

I've found the site at a panic-moment when trying to find out how many words people write a day (my submission is not too far and I still need to write 20k).

Good luck with your work (up)

I loved this but suspect that in social science / qualitative where results aren't presented in tables but are part of the discussion, we can't do it in a week.

I did write my MA Dissertation (24,000 words) (Geography) in less than a month while 8-9 months pregnant - bascially my pre-birth maternity leave was spent doing 15-18 hour days at the computer - trouble is I now think (know) how much I can get done in how short a space of time...