CREATIVE HABITS for SYNTHESIS of THEORY and PRACTICE

At various points in your life you may take up the challenge of writing something in which you synthesize your ideas and practice. After all, everyone has a voice that should be heard. However, believing deeply that your voice matters and acting on that belief is not easy. You will need support to be able to take yourself seriously and, as the title of Parker Palmer's (2000) book puts it, to “Let Your Life Speak.” The frameworks of Phases and of the Cycles and Epicycles of Action Research together with the creative habits below provide a multifaceted structure to help you find your voice, clarify and develop your thoughts, express that voice in writing, and complete your synthesis of ideas and practice. The structure is especially valuable if you want to finish by some defined target date yet do not want to rely on external directions to motivate or reward you.

Frameworks

Phases of Research and Engagement, which includes

Dialogue around Written Work and
Developing as a Reflective Practitioner, which includes
Taking Initiative In and Through Relationships

Cycles and Epicycles of Action Research

Creative Habits

Establish support from:

yourself—Daily Writing, a practice of expository writing 15-30 minutes 5-7 days per week from the very start of a project

a small group that meets regularly—Writing Groups for Support and Feedback

a larger group of peer writers—Writing Workshop, to check in on progress and reflect on topics relevant to voice, synthesizing, writing, getting support, revising, and finishing.

your advisor—One-on-one Session, which can be given a more mindful structure than the typically free-form discussions between researcher and advisor.

Your personal support systems should include some other creative habits and commitments:

Make space in your life and domestic arrangements so you can undertake writing and engage in Writing Support Groups.

Establish and maintain a bibliographic database for ready retrieval and formatting of references.

Seek out guides or advisors in your area of specialization.

Arrange an outside editor to help with revision and copy-editing. Do not expect your advisors to do this for you.