These fieldnotes contain snippets of conversations held between Bambo Soyinka (Baths Spa University, Paper Nations) and Amanda White (The Daily Haiku Project) regarding ‘ease of connection’ when facilitating online creative writing projects. The notes give insight into The Writer’s Cycle as social pedagogy, and how artistic collaboration can be a community methodology.

Here is their conversation (over...tea of course) reflecting on how The Writer’s Cycle has impacted the Daily Haiku Project. Kettle’s on...

‘Come and have a cuppa…’

Everyone loves a cup of tea! We love to gather, chat, share, listen, connect and reflect over hot beverages, what if (a Haiku)(writing) was that hot beverage. Social gatherings // community // people face to face // writing online. Writing (online) is an easier way to connect than you think. Can writing producers make it easier? How can we relate ‘ease of connection’ into our writing ethos as social pedagogy in online facilitation.

Some Definitions...

The function of a pedagogy is to deepen the art of learning beyond mere absorption of facts and information. By consciously considering the philosophies underpinning approaches to teaching and learning, pedagogy seeks to foster an environment in which learners think critically and develop their own thoughts and beliefs. More than this, pedagogy approaches learning as an ongoing process of personal development, as opposed to merely an activity which is confined to the classroom.

“A creative pedagogy, put simply, is a way of approaching learning and or personal developments. It is a theory (outlining why someone might want to learn) and a practice (describe what, how and when we learn best). As a pedagogy, the writer’s cycle encourages facilitators to reflect on their own theories and practices of writing, so that they can support other people through their own journey."

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The Writer’s Cycle

Paper Nations have used this definition of pedagogy as the key ethos to underpin the creation of The Writer’s Cycle which is a (online) practical reflective tool, created (by writers for writers/proper blurb) to ***. (research aims) - support the online writing community ?//

This integrative pedagogical approach highlights how The writer’s cycle supports creative writers in establishing a deeper reflective practice which ultimately impacts the writing community by **** (research impact)

“I see myself within the Writers cycle as a practitioner. The Writer’s Cycle has encouraged me to reflect on my practice as a facilitator, and ethos behind it.”

“For me, The Writer’s Cycle and our conversations have encouraged me to think about the process behind my approach. For me it’s all about format: how to allow people to explore, to discover, to get into something deeper, and to take it on different levels.”