Progress?

Well, yesterday and today a couple of rather profound (I hope) things occurred to me regarding The Dissertation. (Yes, it has taken on capital-letter status in my head.)

One of them provides, thankfully, the link between the two main ideas I've been throwing around for months, and the other allows me to connect those ideas to the plays I'm intending to use. Both also allow me to fight with various established critics (one in terms of extending existing ideas the other in direct opposition), which I guess is a good way to make your entrance into the field. It also seems to be something I tend to do a lot.

I also sent back the article revisions this week - hopefully I've managed not to mess up my English grammar (as opposed to American) too badly and they won't need to send it back to me again. I have to say, if the publication process for fiction is as tedious as it is for criticism, I'm not looking forward to trying to get the novel published. Particularly because it's MUCH longer. Of course, I do have to finish the blasted thing first. Again.

Ah, the story of my life. Write thing. Give thing to reader. Rewrite thing. Give thing back to reader. Edit thing. Give thing back to reader. Rewrite thing. Give thing back to reader...
You get the idea.
Perhaps the universe is trying to tell me that writing is not where my life is intended to go.
Then again, when have I ever listened to anyone who tells me I shouldn't/can't do something?

All the time.
No, really.
I listen. I just proceed to do the opposite.