How to get started on your blank page

An empty screen, or a plain sheet of paper, can look daunting, to any student, regardless of degree subject and level:

 

Your head may be full of thoughts, rumbling around like washing in a machine that has no control over its landing, or, worse,  you may have forgotten to load the clothes (it happens).

You're in need of some inspiration, and, if you're at a keyboard, a *diary dump for all of your ideas.

As the American novelist, L'Amour (and every other writer in the world) recommends, just start writing down everything in your head (and save the document as Diary Dump): 

• What's for dinner (or breakfast)?  
• Have you heard or read something that had you absolutely infuriated? 
• Are you wondering why you chose to study this course in the first place? (See my previous post for motivation reminders) 
• Do you have holiday/social plans that you have to jot down before you forget?  

Write everything down.  And open another Word document, because you'll soon start writing about your current topic.  

Trust me, I'm The Research Advisor; I've seen many blank screens.

*a Diary Dump works just as well on paper, too.