Fresh from a Masters In Law (LLM) from UC Berkeley’s School of Law in August 2016, I had the aspirations of becoming a top publisher in my chosen fields of specialization, Law & Technology and Environmental & Energy Law. Each day I had incredible ideas of topics and ideas that troubled me and which I intended to do justice by putting pen on paper or better still, fingers to keyboard. Four months down the line and little has come forth in writing but the ideas and topics and endless outlines cannot stop coming.
I have come to a realization that the very challenge of an academic life isn’t one of what to write but rather that of conforming to a particular way and style the academic world wants to have you publish. In a society where form and substance matter, I rebelled internally against the idea of being restricted in the format my ideas should flow. But alas again, the beauty of academic publishing lies in the form. When you are used to it, you tend to publish more because you are accustomed to the form and the rules appear not like rules anymore but simple guide lines. Again I struggled with this. I would rather have my ideas put forward with clarity than follow laid down procedures. Many will argue that the essence of scholarship is lost without the traditional/conventional ways of writing. My mind rebels again. I love research and I love scholarship that is clear, concise and has form but I don’t want my writings to have that same mechanical undertone that seems to underline academic scholarship.
So in the year 2017, I have decided to write like I have always loved and lived, straight from the heart, metaphors, alliterations, rhymes and all. Call it poetry or prose but I know it will be one thing: my signature, me, me and me. 2017 is the year of “Me”. Back to what I know how to do best.
As for academic publishing, I will conform to standards but always make sure it doesn’t make me feel restricted.
You may ask if the above isn’t really the essence of scholarship i.e discovering self and putting those ideas forward in the most acceptable form; then I guess I just found my Eureka moment if the above is true.
Have a blessed 2017 and remember to do “YOU like I choose to do “ME”.
lekside06's Blog 