In the beginning, was the Word Doc.

Today, as Catholics prepare for rebirth this Easter weekend, I start writing my dissertation. I can hear my mother's voice: "What does that mean, exactly?" I've been in the degree program for two years. It's a fair question.

I opened a word doc, saved it as "d-word_04-05-12," and wrote 6 single-spaced pages straight: what do I have to say, why do I have to say it, why I am the best one to say it. Afterward, I had to remove my contact lenses. I mustn't have blinked enough.

The writing surge was inspired by the first page of "The Girls Who Went Away," by Ann Fessler. I merely opened the book, read the first paragraph, put the book down, and raced to my computer. If-I-don't-get-this-out-now-it-is-lost-forever.....

This is just to note... here goes. One day, when a manuscript is submitted to the printer for binding, I'll look back on this sunny spring afternoon and think, "hmph."