Strangely Enough, I'm In The Zone

'The Zone'  - for me -  is that semi-mythical space where sentences move from your brain through your fingers and onto the keyboard. It's where thesis work actually happens, where at the end of the day you can stop and look at the x number of words or pages with a sence of accomplishment and a conviction that you can get up and do it again tomorrow, and eventually, everything will be done.

I stopped believing in the zone sometime ago - it was so long since I'd been there I'd forgotten the directions.

But for some reason, today has been different. Despite staying up late and getting up early to get marking done, teaching this morning, detouring to the department for some admin work done, sore neck/shoulders/back/elbows/fingers (yes, I'm planning to go to the physio soon), and eyeballs telling me I've spent too long looking at the screen, I've been in the zone. Chapter Five, bane of my life for the last month, is being rapidly whipped into shape. Despite the pre-emptive editorial notes for myself ([PARAGRAPH NEEDS TO BE PUNCHIER]; [TRANSITION]; [AARGH - CLUNKY]  and the deadly FIND REF!!!), another few hours of work should have it coherent enough to hand in to the supervisors as a first draft.

So, what might the landmarks be for finding the zone again? No email. I haven't checked once today, and my god does this help. Good music in the background. And a stuff it, just say something attitude that comes from a lack of sleep, a sense of being over this thing, and a lillte bit of supervisorial fear.

 Back to it!