Embracing the Role of Mapmaker Instead of Map Follower
You don't need to have everything figured out to begin writing.
If you’ve ever found yourself hesitating to put pen to paper because you’re unsure of your destination, you’re not alone. I have met many scholars who are afraid to start writing because their ideas are not fully developed in their heads yet. They long for the map to magically appear in their minds before they begin.
Yet, researchers in the humanities and qualitative social sciences often face a daunting reality: we have to start writing about our projects before we’ve fully figured out what we’re arguing or why it matters. Unlike scientists running experiments with the outcomes established before they begin writing, our work requires interpretation, meaning-making, and iterative reflection.
There is no map yet—because you haven’t drawn it. You’re not just following in the footsteps of others; you’re the one doing the surveying, carving out new paths.
You’re creating the trail as we go along.
Surveying the Land
Rather than thinking you need a fully formed argument before you begin, it’s more helpful to embrace the metaphor of research as mapmaking rather than map following. Think of yourself as a surveyor in unfamiliar terrain. You’re not starting with a finished, polished roadmap; you’re discovering and mapping the landscape as you go.
Much like a cartographer, you begin by sketching what you can see around you. At first, it’s rough and incomplete—just the basics, a few hills and rivers. But as you move through the terrain, you add more details: valleys, forests, hidden trails. You start to understand the lay of the land as you move through it, just as you start to understand your project as you work through the writing. For many of us, it’s only by actively engaging with the research and writing process that you can discover the connections, the arguments, and the significance of your work.
Wrong Turns and Course Corrections Are Part of the Process
But what happens when you hit a dead end, like coming upon a steep cliff when you were expecting a smooth path forward? This is inevitable, and it’s okay. There will be moments when you realize the direction you’ve been heading isn’t quite right. Maybe your initial argument doesn’t hold up to scrutiny, or perhaps the evidence points to a different conclusion than you originally thought. That’s part of the process of mapping unknown territory. It’s not a failure—it’s progress.
When you encounter these steep cliffs, you may need to double back, rework a section of your writing, or even take an entirely new direction. But each step forward, even the missteps, contributes to a fuller understanding of the terrain you’re exploring. The writing itself helps you figure out the direction you do want to go.
That’s why we start before we know exactly where we’re going—we often need the process of writing to lead us toward clarity.
Writing As Discovery
The truth is, many of us feel the same uncertainty when starting a new project. We all want to know exactly what we’re arguing, what our findings will be, and how everything will fit together before we sit down to write. We also want to be reassured of the quality of our work. But that’s just not how research functions for many of us, especially in fields where interpretation and meaning are central. Writing is a tool that helps us figure it out.
So, instead of waiting for a perfect plan or detailed map, embrace the process of surveying your research landscape. Trust that the writing will guide you, helping you discover the landmarks, trails, and hidden valleys along the way. As you write, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of the territory, and soon enough, you’ll find yourself holding a map—one you created yourself.
And that’s the beauty of it: you’re not just navigating the unknown—you’re charting new ground. Even if you hit the occasional dead end, you’re still moving forward, one step at a time.
So, grab your surveyor’s tools (your notes, your drafts, and your ideas) and start mapping. The terrain may be unfamiliar now, but it will become clearer with each step you take.
A special shout out to two of my coaching clients who helped me think through this metaphor!
Jenn it is so cool to see this write-up of the metaphor that has helped me reinvigorate my relationship to writing! Thank you this gift of a post that I can share with others now! 🙏🏻