Trust Me, I'm Telling You Stories: On the Significance of Preliminary Interviews in Supervision

Abstract

This paper draws on my own research in the pedagogy of doctoral supervision in Creative Writing and expands on its theoretical context by engaging with psychoanalysis and narrative theory to articulate a conceptual framework that can be utilised in supervision. This framework highlights the co-narration inherent in supervision and the critical importance of the transference at work in this process. It seeks to show how self-knowledge, self-awareness and self-reflection may contribute to a successful pairing of supervisor with candidate by setting boundaries, and defining possible challenges – all of which are necessary before even setting realistic, achievable and maintainable goals. In particular it suggests one strategy that may enhance the supervisory relationship. This strategy is embedded in the original contract between the two parties devised at the time of preliminary interviews and carried out throughout the candidature in the form of a shared supervisory log.