Day One.

Over the last year I've gotten into blogging a bit. It's great, at the very least, to have the opportunity to reflect and to write about one's experiences. Following the news, on Wednesday, that my PhD had been accepted for publication as a book, I have since thought that I would write a blog detailing the experience of writing (what I hope is) my first book.

As I say, the news that the recommendation to publish my book had been accepted came through on Wednesday; and having been up since 6am marking the last of my students' exam scripts, the news was more than welcome. I was chuffed. Absolutely chuffed. As an academic, of all the 365 days in the year spent writing, lecturing, editing, marking, etc there are a select few that stick out as notable. Wednesday was one of those days, even if I did then spend the rest of it finishing the marking and moderating the exam scripts. (I managed a celebratory pint with some colleagues in the evening).

Yesterday (Thursday) I took the day off to spend with my sister, girlfriend and an old friend; which means that it was not until today (Friday 31/05) that attention finally turned to the project. I spent the morning reading through my book contract and other instructions and pieces of information provided by the publishers; and in the afternoon I turned my attention to the project itself. My plan? To turn my PhD, passed with no corrections 2 and a half years ago, into a book suitable for publication.

My initial plan is to go through the thesis and redivide it into the new chapter structure proposed for the book. From there, I will go through each chapter, adding new bits, updating sections, carrying out new research, refining the wording - turning it into a book. So I have a plan for the initial steps.

As I write, however, I am nervous. I am daunted by the project ahead - will it be done on time? Will the book come together and the updates fall into place? It is my intention and my job to ensure that they do. And they will. Regardless, I am aware of the scale of the project. This book, will represent the culmination of many years' work and, when published, will be the most significant work my career has thus far generated. And it will be available to all inclined to buy it.

I am also excited, however; I loved the PhD and I'm pleased to have the chance to revisit the project. I look forward to making it better. My plan is to do it step by step, each little bit at a time. I have 5 months until submission of the manuscript is due. From then, the book is in the hands of my publishers and I wait for the most rewarding day of my career (life?) to date - when the first copies are published.