The problem of where to start : a foundation question for creative writing higher degree candidates and supervisors

As both a completed (MA) and still pending (PhD) higher degree candidate as well as a supervisor of higher degrees, I note that even the most basic of decisions - such as where to start - can cause considerable anxiety for both student and supervisor. Some Australian university course descriptions stress that the exegesis is "related to", "linked to" or "integrated with" the creative work, while others propose a more "reflective" role. Still others nominate that the exegesis will "describe", "elaborate", "elucidate", "examine" and/or "contextualise" the creative work, all of which suggest varying temporal relations between the two usual parts of the creative writing research degree. A preliminary survey of a number of higher degree students and higher degree coordinators can help to tease out this temporal relationship and, hopefully, cast light on some of the perceived purposes, expectations and challenges of the research higher degree in the creative arts.