5.1 The role of creative writing/thinking/doing
To adopt an appreciative stance, or develop an appreciative inquiry project, whereby we deliberately set out to generate different metaphors, images, languages, stories, requires different types of action rather than those tied to reflection on the current. Instead, to generate requires us to be bravely creative, allowing ourselves to imagine, dream, think and explore. This is where creative writing/thinking/doing becomes important, where we can create spaces to play and explore differently and where we can open ourselves up to different ideas beyond the institutional or policy frameworks in which we practice.
While this course offers a range of creative activities to support you develop these generative spaces, you may find other ways of creating playful exploratory spaces. You (or a group of you, if working collaboratively) may find walking, drawing, photographing, crafting, gardening, swimming or playing with children or pets provides you with the creative spaces to generate different metaphors, images or ideas that prove productive.
Activity 7 Start an appreciative journal
Find a notebook, folder or create a computer file in which you can keep your creative responses to this course. Add to your notes at any time by repeating activities or adding your own responses, thinking and connections that you make along the way. You may want to add images (either that you’ve taken or from other sources) and add these to your journal. Make sure you have the right permissions if you are taking workplace images. Be brave in your creativity, knowing that the process of creating will deepen your thinking.
The course will explore the link between creativity and an appreciative approach more in Session 2.