I finally figured out what the problem is with getting started on this thesis. I have parts of chapters three and four written, and two is in my head. However, it seems silly to really begin without chapter one, which is a history of my subject. My original self-set deadline for this chapter was January 30. Instead, I started on January 30. A chapter is just an essay, more or less, right? And I have written quite a few essays by this point, all of which got good grades. Except one.

That one was the only history paper I ever wrote. It was twelve years ago, in a course on US History Since 1877. I wrote about Charlie Chaplin's political persecution, and I got a C. After that, I took six more required hours of History of Civ, and that professor assessed by essay exams, which I nailed. No papers were required, and I've not written anything deeply history-related since. Regardless, I'm reminding myself that I'm doing my research and making notes, and I have twelve more years of academic writing under my belt now. I can do this.