Introduction to Inquiry Pieces

Judith

Hello everyone,

Initially, I started this conversation here:
https://reauthoringteaching.com/forums/topic/my-interest-in-davids-inquiries/

However, Peggy asked if I’d continue my topic here, in this Forum. I should include some ‘disclaimers’ before I begin.

I come from a nursing background in which mental ‘deconstruction’ and ‘reconstruction’ are expected (or at least hoped for in nurses’ thinking). It’s a learned way of thinking, with practice, to see the ‘part’ within the ‘whole’…and to move semi-easily between thinking about parts and back to whole.

Though I’m studying David’s inquiries, this doesn’t mean my ideas are the final word. In fact, I hope what I post will generate discussion, even if your ideas disagree with mine. Discussion will also help me know whether I’m describing something of merit or whether I need to change or expand my ideas.

When I’ve discussed with David his ‘pieces’ within inquiries, he’s not raised objections to my views. But I don’t want anyone to think I’m speaking for David–I’m not. Only in sharing our individual thoughts about these pieces can we see what might have any merit (or not).

David brought up to me and we discussed the role of Reader Response in how someone hears, processes, and constructs meaning from texts. Reader Response is a fascinating area, full of questions and unknowns…and even, ‘cannot fully determine’. In similar manner, Linguistics and Conversation analysis look at how people process and interpret spoken language (but spoken language includes non-verbal, body language, speech hesitations, turn-taking, etc.). Researchers studying Reader Response and Linguistics believe how individuals process verbal and written speech throughout our lives comes from early language learning and development as babies/children. There are many similarities but also differences in how we each learned.

NT challenges the taken-for-granted ways people use language, perhaps even our earliest conceptualizing of the world as we understand it. So these ‘pieces’ are only how I began to understand NT’s new-to-me language, my observations about inquiries, and how I ‘deconstruct’ what David does in written texts. Another person may ‘hear’ the same words very differently.

I know David desires idea-generation among practitioners and wants practitioners to take up their NT practices with a spirit of invention and innovation. However, humans seek to categorize just about everything. It’s difficult to talk about any topic or thing without ‘naming’ it. We want to know, “What is this thing you’re doing called?” If we have no “Name for It”, imagine having to Describe It (in detail) the action or concept every time we want to discuss it! So we give it “A Name”. People try to Name-It in some manner that’s fairly inclusive and descriptive–so when people think of just the Name, they understand pretty much what’s meant or what it entails. But some speech and counseling actions defy easy or quick naming! Plus, Naming-It only helps conceptualize ‘A Thing in this moment.’ Naming-It can be modified, changed, expanded… Sometimes, what we do in the world changes so much, A Name becomes obsolete…or the thing we’re doing takes on new meaning and so people make a different name. So, I ask that we don’t get stuck in the ways I have Named-It. If we find better ways to Name-It, or other names to link one piece with another piece, I won’t be offended. These are just ways I conceptualize pieces of inquiries.

Inquiry pieces work together. Some can/do appear as separate units of speech. Some pieces are repeatable or re-usable, as continuing units that run throughout many or most conversations. Other pieces are like toppings–used sparingly, for specific purposes at a more precise time–like putting pineapples on cream cheese, but perhaps you wouldn’t use them on ice cream. Some sparingly-used ones add distinct emphasis, like adding an unexpected seasoned salt that practically changes the idea you’re presenting.

I propose that people unconsciously (or not as consciously) hear these smaller pieces in inquiries just as much as hearing the whole of what you speak or write. Building pieces into inquiries and doing it more effectively can add to how a person hears and responds.

Having said all this, I am an Insider only in the sense of hearing David’s inquiries and how I interpret them. But I’m an Outsider in terms of a Counseling Professional’s education and practical experience. Therefore, I may only tell you what you already know. (?)

But I hope seeing how I ‘hear’ David’s inquiries might bring some lively discussions about ‘Just how do people ‘hear’ what’s said…and how might practitioners speak to enrich another person’s ‘hearing’ so to expand possibilities and self-knowingness?

I’ll begin posting soon… Join in and let me know what you think…

Judy

Sarah Hughes

Hi Judy,
Thanks for your ideas and disclaimers. I started a response yesterday as after I read your posting I was very excited and interested to hear more. Then someone showed up at my door and I did not save my words and they are now gone….

Hmmmmm… I will try to recapture my enthusiasm. My Reader Response was excitement and enthusiasm for your words. I was very excited about the food analogies – the toppings, the seasoning salt, that all made so much sense to me. I was thinking about that in my chat with a young man today. We were talking about the voice of anxiety and as sometimes we went off onto tangents – like maybe some body sensation questions, or we gathered some images, then back to the voice of anxiety. Your image of topping helped me feel like I was holding the main dish but adding some spices and then we could go back to the main meal.

Is that what you meant or am I making up my own version – which I am sure I am and that is ok – but just wondering how far off your meaning I am taking it.

What you said about naming is important to me too. I love when names shift and change across a conversation. It feels like we (the person and I ) might be getting closer to a really near and specific descriptive name and then it might veer off to another direction. Like Depression, might become The Funk, The Dark Funk, The OLd Dark Funk and then shift into “the Pit I fall into” “the falling” …. That was a conversation from a few years back that always sticks in my mind!

Reading David’s writing and now yours is so good for me as it injects me with a spirit of Innovation and my questions take on new life. I need to remember to keep that IV in. (Do you like my nursing metaphors?)

My experience is more based on Michael’s teachings as I travelled with him for a time selling narrative books and therefore, had the privilege of witnessing him teach in many different contexts. I only have a small experience of David but his energy and enthusiasm is so contagious! I wish I had been able to witness more conversations between him and Michael as together they bring such different but complimentary flavours to the ideas.

I recently reread David’s into to the book – Continuing the Conversation that was published after Michael’s death. That piece gives a taste of the relationship they had – how they exchanged ideas.

So thanks for your writing, I think it is great that we find ways to continue to keep rippling forward with ideas, playing with language, deconstructing and reconstructing!

Thanks and I look forward to hearing more of your ideas,
Sarah

Judith

Dear Sarah,
I apologize for not writing sooner. Had some problems come up and then problems accessing the webpages. Yes, I tend to use a variety of analogies. I keep searching for one that will make the most sense, but I haven’t found one unifying image that holds all the kinds of inquiries. Perhaps that’s good, though, so I don’t make stagnant metaphors.

Peggy Sax

Hi Judy!

This exchange got started, and then buried in all the other developments on this site. My apologies for taking so long to give this the attention it deserves. I’m excited about your writings that give an insider view of narrative questions, and co-creating possibilities for others to read them. The timing is finally right for us to get this project going. Let’s think this through together.

1- What if we create a “Judy Blog” here on the Conversation Forum (it’s up to you what to call it) where you/we could post a short piece on a regular basis (every other week. ..or?)? I know you’ve done a lot of thinking about the various series of writings…so we would just start with one, and systematically make our way through.

2- Can you choose me a brief paragraph description of the overall series? The timing is right for me to advertise it in our next Re-authoring newsletter here. Maybe you can help us attract some new Collab members. Hey, what would you add or change to:

Narrative Therapy challenges the taken-for-granted ways people use language, perhaps even our earliest conceptualizing of the world as we understand it. These ‘pieces’ are how Judy began to understand NT’s new-to-me language, her observations about inquiries, and how she ‘deconstructs’ what David does in written texts. Another person may ‘hear’ the same words very differently.

3-Each time you post a new piece, could you send me a short paragraph description? I could add a blog entry on the Reauthoringteaching site here and on our Facebook page here.

How does that sound to you, Judy? What about to others?

Peggy

January 5, 2015

Judith

Dear Peggy,

A blog would be terrific. I just need to know where it is okay to post.

Narrative Therapy challenges taken-for-granted ways people use
language, perhaps even our earliest conceptualizing of our place in the world.
These articles describe how Judy began to understand NT’s new language, her observations and how she ‘deconstructs’ David’s inquiries. Narrative Practices elicit hope in possibilities through the power of a positive Created Story. However, this isn’t one-sided, but co-created and co-sustained through collaborative enthusiasm and support. Without such attending, the Created Story subsequently can be damaged or even die.

Judy