"Things You Wish You Knew Before Starting Medical School"

[sabrinamari]

Thanks to the clever and persistent karmawings:

http://karmawings.livejournal.com/9757.html

Yes, jasminewind, this is for you.

I should do a post someday entitled "Things you wish you knew before starting grad school in the social sciences...or, what the fuck are you going to do with that Ph.D. when you finally graduate in ten years without a cash reserve, retirement fund or stable relationship?"

Nah, that's cruel.

There's a better way to say, "Do this ONLY if you cannot answer your biggest call in any other way...and even then, go in armed to the teeth."

Hmmmmm...there's definitely a post in me somewhere that says, "Think you want to write a book? Answer these four questions first and save yourself a lot of anguish."

1. WHY does this book have to be written?

2. Why does it have to be written by ME?

3. Why does it have to be written NOW?

and finally...

4. Is it damn near impossible for me NOT to write torment myself trying to write this thing?

If you have clear, resounding answers to questions 1-3 AND the answer to question 4 is "YES! I've tried to stop let go of it and I frickin' cannot do it," then go ahead and write.

Otherwise, just focus on doing something you really love and building all kinds of joyful relationships. If you have other options that let you live in peace and happiness, choose them.

Because writing a book is really hard, and will test your mettle in every way possible.

Comments

[wgseligman.livejournal.com]

Writing a book is hard? Why didn't you tell me?

Don't forget the part about how the book dominates your thoughts and all your friends grow tired of hearing about it.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Get a good therapist. Or a good writing coach, or both.

They can both help you with the pain-in-the-ass aspects of living through the writing process, and they both have to listen to you work through your writing challenges.

When I went to my first talk by a fellow student who had actually made it all the way through the writing process, she wrapped up the talk by giving us directions to the university counseling center and telling us to save ourselves some trouble and go now.

I laughed, but she was right.

Sadly, I didn't know writing coaches existed until the end stage of my dissertation process. She got me to triple my weekly output and do it with greater self respect. Gods, I wish I had known about dissertation coaches YEARS earlier.

[zammis.livejournal.com]

does that hold true for mini-books or ebooks? Cuz that's what I'm looking at. :)

Also, the med school stuff is part of why I decided to do acupuncture. The debt's been less, the money is probably about the same. I just need to figure out the best place for a private practice and what to do. :)

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I have no idea. I've never written either. But I bet you could find scads of people who have and learn from them.

That's an interesting thought. I'm sure the debt has been less. Im curious about the comparative money. I know family docs/primary care docs are just screwed unless they think and plan carefully.

Fortunately, I will do everything in my power to help karmawings think and plan carefully.

Thanks!

[jasminewind.livejournal.com]

I read every last one - I don't think there was anything new in there for me. It makes me sad that OB/GYN has such a bad reputation. I have no doubt that it is deserved in a large majority of cases.

As you say with the book, if there were any way I could do other than this, I would. I have been entertaining the notion multiple times a week as I settle in to this term and see that while I'm feeling better, the impact of my head injury still lingers a bit.

:-)

Re: Thanks!

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

love you...

[akrissy.livejournal.com]

My masters program is a bit different yet no less transformational.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I think you're right where you need to be.

[citabria]

I keep going back to, "are there gunners in culinary school? And if I try to always sit in the second row I can't be a gunner, right?

::sigh::

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I don't really know what gunners are.

I'll have to ask.

[gracewillow.livejournal.com]

Oof. Those are good questions. Damn good questions. Considering I'm trying to write a book now... I'm going to have to answer them. Why is it you always make me think so hard? :)

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Because I can't shut up while I'm thinking hard.

[eoma-p.livejournal.com]

I took a creative writing class in college and the prof said, "Don't write unless you HAVE to." That's the best career advice I've ever gotten.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

I agree with him.

At the same time, if you have to write, I think it's important to develop sanity-maintenance strategies and techniques for creating a beautiful, full life with writing as one important component. Otherwise, the sanest person will totally lose it.

[eoma-p.livejournal.com]

Oh, absolutely! Sanity maintenance is important for any career. His advice saved me many years of worry and stress though. I love to write, but I don't HAVE to write.