Urgh, academic writing is horrible, in my opinion. I haven't had to deal with it (luckily) since I'm unschooled, but lately, I've been considering taking my SATs and part of that is writing essays. And I find I'm terrible at it because I can't write without a voice. I tend to speak my mind when I write, express something, not write flat.
Thank you so very much (again) for the advice. I really, really appreciate it. And yes, I do find it improves over time. I think back to my first, childish stories with a mix of horror and fondness and I realize how much I've grown. Of course, I will always write. I don't think I could stop even if I wanted to. I bet you know the feeling.
How well I know the feeling... I get up at 3 AM and start drinking coffee and writing. When I say academic writing, I don't mean essays, I mean academic studies like you find in journals- The Journal of International Law- Latin American Research Review.
Ah I see! Sorry, the only academic writing I've come across is an essay....but I see what you mean now.
Wow. how do you get up so early? I usually write during the day, although I've always been a night owl, so I usually go to sleep at 3, but I can't write anything by then. I do read during the night, though. But as you said, it's about what works for you.
Easy... I go to bed at 6:00 lol! Academic writing is REALLY tedious... make a point, back it up with 3 verifiable recognizable sources- include footnotes. Then do the same again, over and over until you come to your conclusion.