The author blogged their dissertation process to get feedback on ideas and draft chapters, find motivation by sharing thoughts and getting comments, and reduce isolation by building an online community in their interdisciplinary field located far from their university. Blogging helped the author focus their ideas, stay accountable and motivated throughout the process, and build connections that could lead to future projects across academic fields.

1. Putting it all out there
Why I blogged my dissertation

2. The past
kids restarted Ph.D.
changed topic
interdisciplinary
full
1250 miles away different field
time job personal
blogging

3. Fear
ideas
distracted stagnating
stolen nothing to say
stupid
looking scooped

4. Why?
blogging to
feedback
learn inspiration
stray thoughts
isolation
community
motivation thinking

5. What?
chapters drafts posts
ideas
notes
sections comments
dissertation
blog sources
input
recommendations pdfs

6. Building bridges
variety
networking feedback
of fields organization
spin-off projects
theory into
academics
p r a c t i c e citations
insight

7. Lessons learned
process
upkeep lack of input
build network
accountable
focus motivating

8. The future
reading
discipline articles
journal informal
groups
publication