Decide on genre. How might you build your story? What theme could you follow? A certain period in history, a strong character, a conundrum, a philosophical tale... all of these things are like your PhD question in a way... then, how you unravel them is like evidence and analysis... and I can, actually, see how that would tie into your PhD on creative writing... kind of like using the story as an empirical example of your understanding of the literary side of things (like genre, plot, character, etc.). Once you have your main idea/theme, and at least one (but preferably 2 or 3 key characters)... chapters can be built around the 'journey' made by characters and plot from concept to conclusion, if you like. Your experience of literary criticism should be able to assist here... instead of critiquing the author, try to 'be' the author instead, receiving the critique.

Hi Leone

Haven't written a novel as part of my PhD but have written one previously. It was a piece of historical fiction set around 8BC in the Middle East. I found that what helped me to construct the work was (1) having a good theme that I could research, (2) having central characters to bring to life, and (3) having some kind of puzzle to drive the story. The book was published, it didn't make me rich (just wanted to see if I could do it, actually). Since starting my PhD, I find lots of similarities in writing... having a theme, making links, joining things up. So, I guess, if you want/need to write a literary novel - there are a number of things to kick-start you.

"The Chorus" (in French, but interesting). "The Holiday" or "Shop Girl" - both hilarious. "Hitch" and "In Pursuit of Happyness" [sic, on spelling) - Will Smith at his interesting best. Must say, I love movies. Need them too! Yay!

Yeah, I've complimented and thanked my supervisor quite often - and he deserved it. He works hard, challenges me in the right places and has been a great support. Last year, after a hard 6 months... including conference and paper writing and prep for upgrade - I gave him a card just to say thanks for all the positive things he'd done over the year. He liked the card and seemed pleased to know that he was appreciated. I guess it depends on your supervisor and how you get on - but if they're good and work hard with you - then, why not say thanks once in a while? It's better than taking folk for granted, I guess.

Ooops, sorry, misread the question. In Word 2000...

Go to Insert Footnote

Select Endnote Options

Choose 'All Endnotes' tab

Select 'End of Section' from first drop down list

Click OK to save option.

Hope this works for you.

Choose 'Book Section' as the style option in the drop down list. The default is usually Journal.

Hi Solidors

Completely sympathise. I was in the same boat until Christmas - full-time teaching post and part-time PhD (well, really, let's face it we do a full-time PhD even part-time really...). Eventually I cracked, not just because of the juggling but because of the division of passion. I loved research and liked my job but the parts of my job I didn't like began to irritate the life out of me because I was so time-pressured. I 'jumped' on a 6 months notice ticket and eventually found work... part-time at the uni... And now I'm much happier. I work three and a half days a week in a much more flexible environment doing work that dovetails with my research and working with other researchers. Yay! So, I say - go for it - soon as you can. Find something else that fits and makes you smile at least occasionally.

Hi Pam

Yeah, tell me about it... still working (and have been all day, and all yesterday...) and mountain isn't shrinking at all. *wry grin* Got a bundle of deadlines looming and a workshop to deliver next week... Still, I'll be okay when that's done, I guess.

Good luck with your writing... hope you get the section finished to your satisfaction. Me - I'm off for a chocolate fix. (Turkish Delight here I come).

You can currently get a legitimate copy of Office 2007 for around £38 if you have an academic or other education email... but offer is only valid until April 2008, so you need to hurry. It's available at that price for both Windows and Mac.

http://www.theultimatesteal.co.uk/

Hi Dukes

Suspect the scientific bias on the forum is that it's just that kind of site but there are other domains in here, if you look closely.

Artificial Intelligence - I suggest you try Heriott Watt University in Scotland or University of Sussex in England.

Cheers and good luck with the search.

Me too... worth his weight in 'gold'... listens, is timely with feedback, makes useful feedback, takes you beyond your comfort zone (but in a nice way), is encouraging... and, well, although busy (has over half a dozen PhD students besides me)... still manages to make time for you. I think what I most appreciate is when you have his attention, you have it... wholeheartedly (i.e. takes no phone calls, no interruptions, etc.). Also, answers your queries with 48 hours. Yay!

What do I hate about my PhD? The time it takes, the rigour I need to apply, having to learn methodological techniques in too short a time, having to juggle life and study, having to balance deep thinking with surface living, living with the uncertainty principle (when you're researching something that is required to be novel, it's difficult to hold onto the sometimes elusive ideas that propel you towards your goal), the need to be constantly organised, to account for your progress, the drive to present, write, share your findings, sometimes in too short a time. But, on the plus side, these are just things I've grown to understand are part of the everyday journey of the PhD, and part of what makes the highs 'high' and the view from the 'peaks' so interesting, so that's okay. Besides, they do make you stronger... or else... you quit, I guess. *wry grin*

What do I love about PhD study? Being able to engage regularly with things I'm passionate about... learning to figure out why and how what I'm interested in might become interesting/useful to others; mixing with like-minded folk who always/usually have something interesting to bring to the 'conversation'; making connections with things that have gone before and trying to anticipate what might be coming and how my own passions might fit in with that. *grin* The moments of epiphany... the 'oh, I so get that now...', etc.

I love my PhD... and (sure) I did consider dropping out at one point (methodology madness)... but it's a bridge most of us come face to face with at some point, I think... it's that point where you just weight things in the balance (usually when you realise that a PhD isn't like other postgraduate degrees - it's a form of training in research methods... an entry point to academia, really... whether or not you ultimately go there or not) and ask yourself - is that where I really want to be, and is it worth the effort?

Hi Amicrazy

Yes, and you do (I think) have to be a little bit crazy to consider PhD study (but madness, they say, is often the other half of genius). I say go for it - if you love to learn - and just take the ups and downs as they come. At least, doing it for pleasure (rather than for a job) means some of the bad times (to do with deadlines, accountability, etc.) won't be so great for you. That, in itself, can also be a bad thing, of course. It also depends on what you want to study - your initial questions sounds like a good one for PhD study (*chuckle*). If you manage to land on something you're passionate about and can find a (good, interested) supervisor, then you could get a lot of joy out of PhD study.