ABSTRACT

This article argues that we need to ‘descend into the crypt’ of creative writing, and use rigorous, academic research methods and methodologies to examine it. The communities that writing arises from, processes of writing, the unique psychologies of writers, the ways in which writing is used in different settings and eras all need to be researched using well-established modes of research. The article argues that while quantitative research – the use of numbers and statistics – can offer insights into creative writing, it is qualitative research which affords the richest and most meaningful avenues. It shows that auto-ethnography with its focus upon the lived experiences of authors can provide illuminating insights. But it also demonstrates that Action Research, where writers use this research method to actively improve their writing and/or teaching of it, has many affordances. Multi-modal research with its perceptions into all the different modes – pictures, moving images, embodied learning – of writing provides the researcher with cutting edge research tools. Many writer-researchers also find using psycho-analytical frameworks can nurture therapeutic insights into writers’ processes. This article is aimed at all creative writers who wish to explore writing processes further using established research.

摘要

本文认为，我们需要“下入创意写作的地穴”，并使用严谨的学术研究方法和方法来检验它。写作起源于社区、写作过程、作家的独特心理、写作在不同环境和时代的使用方式都需要使用成熟的研究模式进行研究。这篇文章认为，虽然定量研究——使用数字和统计——可以提供对创造性写作的见解，但定性研究提供了最丰富和最有意义的途径。它表明，专注于作者生活经历的自我民族志可以提供有启发性的见解。但这也表明行动研究，作家使用这种研究方法来积极改进他们的写作和/或教学，有很多启示。多模态研究对写作的所有不同模式——图片、运动图像、具体学习——的感知为研究人员提供了尖端的研究工具。许多作家研究人员还发现，使用心理分析框架可以培养对作家过程的治疗洞察力。本文面向所有希望使用既定研究进一步探索写作过程的创意作家。许多作家研究人员还发现，使用心理分析框架可以培养对作家过程的治疗洞察力。本文面向所有希望使用既定研究进一步探索写作过程的创意作家。许多作家研究人员还发现，使用心理分析框架可以培养对作家过程的治疗洞察力。本文面向所有希望使用既定研究进一步探索写作过程的创意作家。