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 theory and practice. After all, everyone has a voice that should be heard. However, believing that deeply and acting on that belief is not always 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 introduced in the previous sections and 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. 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, including
Developing as a Reflective Practitioner, including
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—Writing groups with regular meetings 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. Even though discussions between researcher and advisor are typically free-form, it is possible to give them a more mindful structure.
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 writing support.
- 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.
Reference
Palmer, P. J. (2000). Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.