Editorial | Write What You Know
THE MICROSCOPE
2019, Volume 67:4, p. ii
DOI
https://doi.org/10.59082/NFJP1791
AUTHOR
Dean Golemis
EXCERPT
“Poetry surrounds us everywhere, but putting it on paper is, alas, not so easy as looking at it.” — Vincent Van Gogh
The same can be said about analytical research. There is no shortage of microscopic matter to study in this world, but committing the research to paper for everyone else’s edification is harder to accomplish. What comes fairly easy in the laboratory doesn’t necessarily translate so smoothly onto paper (or computer monitor). It can be a gnawing task to clearly transmit information through the written word, while wrestling with a train (wreck) of thoughts. Here are some well-known reasons why writing can be a struggle: • finding the clarity to organize thoughts • the tyranny of perfectionism: that dastardly inner critic • lack of writing experience or self-confidence • and the classic: fear of a blank page!
The same can be said about analytical research. There is no shortage of microscopic matter to study in this world, but committing the research to paper for everyone else’s edification is harder to accomplish. What comes fairly easy in the laboratory doesn’t necessarily translate so smoothly onto paper (or computer monitor). It can be a gnawing task to clearly transmit information through the written word, while wrestling with a train (wreck) of thoughts. Here are some well-known reasons why writing can be a struggle: • finding the clarity to organize thoughts • the tyranny of perfectionism: that dastardly inner critic • lack of writing experience or self-confidence • and the classic: fear of a blank page!