So last night sometime around 1 or 2 a.m. I got inspired to do some research.
This research had nothing, really, to do with my studying for the Big Nasty Tests I've been studying for.
It was only rather tangentially related, or so I thought, to my dissertation.
Primarily, it was (primarily academic) background research for one of my creative projects.
In searching through Google Scholar and WorldCat for sources to interlibrary loan (reminding me of the beauty of having full access to the academic library system) I found a source that will help my understanding of my dissertation topic, as well as inspiration and good material for that and other potential creative projects.
I also remembered why I like researching these kinds of things. The thrill of the unexpected discovery is fabulous. It's these moments that remind me why I started doing this grad school thing in the first place, and why it's worth sticking it out through the annoying and difficult times.
Now just to plow that delight back into all the other projects I'm supposed to be working on.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
On the Joy of Research
I'm a writer, an incurable reader, a narrative theorist, a media researcher, a scholar/author/writer/consultant, a PK, and the Queen of Soup Making. I write a lot, and I've taught a wide range of topics in universities. Along my journey I've picked up a PhD in Communication from Purdue and 2 degrees in English. I've been turning my ideas about communication as author-audience relationships into a communication paradigm that can be applied to a wide range of situations. I'm also writing a historical mystery series. I'm a member of Sisters in Crime, and the co-chair of the Mystery and Detective Fiction Caucus of the Popular Culture Association. My MA thesis focused on connections between T. S. Eliot and Thoreau, who each wondered about how to remain still and still moving. Before I went to grad school, I spent 7 years working for a division of HarperCollins Publishers.
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3 comments:
This is rather tangential, but I fully approve of the abbreviation "World Cat." It makes it seem like the global book system is managed by an extremely knowledgeable tabby.
Also, for anyone curious, the first feline-based picture on Google that shows up for a search on "world cat" is a kitten holding a sniper rifle.
PoC: That reminds me of Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series, where in Book World the Cheshire Cat IS in charge of the global library. Nicely done!
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