I've been terrible since christmas - even dire necessity isn't motivating me :(

yeah 100 per day is much more realistic and achievable, in 1st-2nd yr. Obviosuly the bluk is gonna be third yr, but that's writing up year so necessarily you're gonna write more.

I went the opposite way. I completed my PGCE (Biology) and enrolled in a phd in science education same year. Mainly because of tough job competition in n.ireland.
Teaching's cool though. And with a phd you'd be well in-line for promotions and stuff, if that's what you're into. Depending on your subject and the nature of your phd, having a good grounding in your subject, like proper expertise, would mean your planning takes a LOT less time because you're much more confident like subject knowledge, and eventually you get used to all the other bullshit.

"but for phd level it needs a bit more theoretical weight and a firm grounding in the academic literature. "

I did two focus groups using a £35 Olympus digital voice recorder.

The sound wasn't the best and parts are hard to make our but to be honest that's more a practical thing than with the qualityof the recorder. Like next time I'll just put it in a better place, make sure there's no stupid stuff going on in the background and if someone's mumbling, tell 'em to speak up!

I've been told my style is "too journalistic".
I take that as meaning it's too readable and interesting ;) I need to make it drier, more boring and inaccessible.

I understand what they mean though, it does read well but for phd level it needs a bit more theoretical weight and a firm grounding in the academic literature.

So I'm having to think about making my stuff a bit "heavier" but it's good to know that after i finish (if I ever do ;) ) I have at least some sort of writing skills that might make people want to read my stuff.

Yeah I know what you mean. I've got two pilot focus group sessions that I need to start analyising and just can't really get stuck in yet!

I've always been like this, undergrad to MA and now phd - I can only ever get "real" work done at night. I TRY do do 9-5 (well, 10-6, 11-7, whatever ;) ) but I find that the only work I can do during the day is communication, transcribing, data-input, filling-in forms etc. I can't do the real thinking/theorizing and writing stuff that really makes the phd until the wee small hours!!!

I'm using mixed-methods in educational research for my phd. I'm combining quantitative questionnaires with focus-group interviews. I've only started piloting but I'm enjoying the mixture of methods from a practical point of view. The quantitative stuff has been useful in presentations while the qualitiative stuff has given some really interesting insights so far.

I work 3x 2.5 hr shift in the biomedical library at my uni, it's easy money, close to my office and it get's me out of bed in the morning!!!
If I'm just going into my office I find it tough to make it in on time, but if I HAVE to turn up for work/meeting etc it's so much easier, so it really suits me to work in the morning.

It's alright we all do the same thing!
I'm really interested in my subject but of course as soon as it becomes a DUTY or you HAVE to do it, it's no longer a choice (especially if the grant is your source of income) - it's pretty much alienation ;)
I have a like a million books I was supposed to read and by the end of first year had probably read 3 and just glanced through the rest!!!

My tips, some of which are probably same as others (I'm starting 2nd yr by the way)

- Start writing early as possible - even if it's just summarizing literature. It gets you used to putting stuff on paper and gives you something to show your supervisor that you can get feedback on.
- Listen to feedback you get. I sometimes go into meetings and just nod my head, but don't really take feedback in - but I've found that when I make an effort to act on feedback, I'm way more productive
- I'll also say the references one - get them in some sort of order, everytime you read something, anything at all, stick it in your references in some order that will make sense to you and you can locate the reference. I personally use Refworks.
- chat to other PhD students - even if it's just youse all having a whinge

I'd be curious about this too - would be well-handy for transcribing ;)

Tough one, our phds were a factor in the recent break-up of my 7-yr relationship. I'm only past transfer stage nearing end of 1st year, my girlfriend was writing up and we split 3 months ago. The stress of it, long distance relationship meant something had to give. Absolutely gutted but it was very hard for her to juggle both. I hope you can sort something better out.

I'm glad I started writing at easter, a lot was total crap and unfocused but that's part of the process, you have to sift through lots of crap to get the good bits that are worth keeping.
I'm finding the process of drafting and re-drafting really useful, so I'd echo the thoughts of previous posters and say - start writing ASAP - anything at all, even a crappy introduction, it's just getting over that inital fear of putting pen to paper. I think in my case I was afraid that once something was down on paper it was no longer mine and was open to criticism - no-one can criticise the ideas floating about your head, but once you commit them to paper they are open to criticism.
But I definitely felt better once I got over this, and much of the feedback has been constructive with tips on writing style, focus etc.

Good luck with the writing!