I haven’t found all that many people blogging about their PhD experiences, probably because they’re way too busy researching to keep something else going (here I point to my own rather irregular publishing on this blog!).
So I was pleased to find Creative Writing in the Academy, a blog about creative writing research from Deanna Carlyle and Remittance Girl, who are both starting on the PhD journey.
There are two resources on here which are invaluable — the Creative Writing Conferences for Postgrad Writers list and the Resources for the Creative Writing Postgraduate Applicant page — where was this when I was agonising over my application!
It’s written in an easy-going accessible style and is specifically related to my discipline, which is rare, so I have no hesitation in recommending them to creative writers in academia. It’s also inspiring me to blog more about my personal journey through the PhD in the hope that my experiences with resonate with other students and help those who are puzzling over the mysteries of what exactly a practice-based PhD entails. More on that one soon!
What I found doing my (non-creative writing) PhD was that any other writing I did outside of it, even creatively stimulating and fulfilling, I felt guilty about. Because it wasn’t to do with the PhD and nothing exists outside the PhD! (I had a bit of tunnel vision). I think it’s so important to indulge in a variety of writing and remind yourself that you exist in a world beyond your field of study! And write!