Monday 27 April 2009

Back in the swim 24th March 2009


So, new start of term and a new essay looms! Ha, bring it on I say...

It was good to see everyone again and interesting as A noted that if a client has had a break from counselling then sometimes the first session back is notable for the absence of client. Our group was no exception as a couple of members did not return.

We concentrated very much on reconnecting and starting to think about writing styles for the essay. A divided these styles into four categories: Diver, Patchworker, Architect and Grand Planner.

DIVER: Just gets straight in there and comes up with something.
PATCHWORKER: Draws research from a variety of areas and patches it all together.
ARCHITECT: Structured, planning. Methodical.
GRAND PLANNER: Writes it all in their head and just does it. No re-drafting.

We divided into groups according to which style we felt we were and brainstormed the advantages and disadvantages of each style. K and I were architects. The advantages were, organisational, methodical, logical, sound structure, intro, body and conclusion. The disadvantages were mainly to do with spontaneity (or lack thereof!) and the ability to admit valid new discourses. Ie: Don't get hung up too much on the planning to deny new ideas. This was an interesting approach with new essays imminent.

We then worked in triads to give, receive and observe counselling on writing styles. This got more complicated because there were three feedback forms to fill in. One self-reflective and the other two for the giver and receiver of the counselling. This will take a while to get used to. It was impossible for me to divide myself the-writer-as-counsellor from me the writer-of-scripts though I was certainly prepared to admit that my creative writing could also use the freedom of admitting new ideas and concepts.

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