I have a few neurological disorders and some mental illness so I think, make decisions and show emotions differently than most. The reader of "The Secret Cure" would be excused for thinking that Sue Woolfe must herself have worked in a research laboratory and have an inside knowledge of autistic disorders, so real was her writing. And for all of us who love stories, who cares anyway? When she found she could not write, she asked herself “what does a fiction writer do to her mind to create fiction, and was I doing something wrong that jeopardised my own work?”(p. Only at the end do themes finally emerge. The right hemisphere is better at seeing the world from a broader perspective and may be better at visual imagery, and the left hemisphere is definitely dominant for language. However, students’ attitude to English course was not increased after the experiment. Art offers an outlet and a release from all of that. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, Register to vote and apply for an absentee ballot today, The essential guide to taking care of your mind and body, "Art filled occupational voids, distracted thoughts of illness", "Improved well-being by decreasing negative emotions and increasing positive ones", "Improved medical outcomes, trends toward reduced depression", "Reductions in stress and anxiety; increases in positive emotions", "Reductions in distress and negative emotions", "Improvements in flow and spontaneity, expression of grief, positive identity, and social networks". ", The impact of art, music, and writing can be seen in your physical body as well. ScienceDirect ® is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V. ScienceDirect ® is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V. Creative writing gives opportunity to students to choose their own writing subjects and methods. In her book, "The Mystery of the Cleaning Lady", Australian novelist and creative writing teacher, Sue Woolfe, explores these questions in such an honest and personal way that I almost felt as if I were sitting in the room listening to her deepest thoughts. Take a minute to ignore all of the incoming signals and create an outgoing one instead. Going to familiar locations may be a bit hard, it being science fiction an all. There are many of those, but they are rather individual, and you may or may not have been affected by those. Turn up the music and dance. Very likely the “loose construing” Sue discusses is more a right hemisphere activity and the “tight construing” later needed to put the story together is more of a left hemisphere activity. Students’ writing disposition was also increased when compared to their levels before the experiment. They are real to me and so are their issues and battles they must face. She takes her reader through her long, often tortuous process of completing her 2003 novel, "The Secret Cure", in itself a novel about the wonders of the creative human mind, all the while weaving in and out of neuroscience findings and theories that might explain some of her creative processes and how they can so often become blocked. why do we never feel satisfied? Published by Elsevier Ltd. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.815. I'm very interested to see what science learns about the mind. Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. or its licensors or contributors. She learned that she must free her mind to work in its mysterious way to create a rich story; rich with more meanings than she ever consciously thought up. Shaping the story from these fragments comes much later, probably involving more “tight construing” where logic and structure have a place. That's the fancy way of saying: the act of writing actually impacted the cells inside the patient's body and improved their immune system. The brain is more like a great symphony orchestra where every part works in concert with the whole. In 2010, the American Journal of Public Health published a review titled, The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health. Of course, editing requires more consciousness. I never realised others would seem to write without thinking. Craft something. Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Justin B. Dimick, M.D., M.P.H. Produce something. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of a writing aid tool (WAT) based on the CONSORT statement and its extension for non-pharmacologic treatments on the completeness of reporting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). For her readers, Sue has translated her discoveries of fragments of the mystery of creating stories into a writing book that is different, and a far cry from a writing manual. However, I don't ascribe to the belief that the mind is in existence solely from the brain and body. As a neuropsychologist, I often find myself cringing when I read fiction involving, for example, a character who has suffered a stroke, where some of the neurology facts are blatantly wrong. ©2020 Verizon Media. you can aid them greatly. The joy of this for a “baby boomer” writer or reader is that these pleasurable activities could almost certainly be added to the intellectual and physical exercises that slow down the brain’s aging process most often experienced by the forgetting of names and words and where you put the car keys – or the car! The 2 Faces of Narcissism: Can You Recognize Them? In return, our feelings may seem to come from the body, and the body is modified by our thoughts and the brain by our actions. Writing for Impact: How to Prepare a Journal Article Andrew M. Ibrahim, M.D., M.Sc. I write fantasy and I can't say that I write the novel from the stand point of wanting to see things played out for me (through my character). The studies included everything from music and writing to dance and the visual arts. Delving into neuroscience research on creativity, she reports and explains her discoveries in ways that made sense to me as a neuroscientist, but also made sense to me as a creative writer. Reading fiction and narrative non-fiction also indisputably engages both sides of the brain, at least if the reader is engaged in the story. I don't know about you, but I think the benefits listed above sound like they would be great not just for patients in hospitals, but for everyone. The Impact Of Social Media On Society, Jacob Amedie Pop Culture Intersections It is the objective of this article to present evidence from several researches that were done by many scholars in different environment that distinctly demonstrates the negative impact of social media in three main categories. Who wouldn't want to reduce stress and anxiety, increase positive emotions, and reduce the likelihood of depression? This article was originally published on JamesClear.com. In other words, the process of creating art doesn't just make you feel better, it also creates real, physical changes inside your body. Grab your camera and take a picture. Multiple word and image connections are firing, and thus the right word is more likely to pop up when it is needed. Anyway, interesting to find out that crying whilst writing a particularly emotional scene is probably not shared by the wider community. Get the help you need from a therapist near you–a FREE service from Psychology Today. Sue begins a novel by writing numerous seemingly unrelated fragments, a process most productive when she is in an almost trancelike state she refers to as “loose construing” where attention is defocused rather than focused, logical thought is slowed, judgement and anticipation put on hold, and new elements can be allowed in without seeming incongruent, almost reminiscent of the dream state. Build something. The study was conducted during four weeks in 2012- 2013 academic year in an elementary school in the city centre of Denizli, Turkey. I think perhaps it is more of a survival instinct. A critical challenge for arts education has been a lack of empirical evidence that demonstrates its educational value. Writing the Truth With Empathy and Ethics, Your Left Cerebellar Hemisphere May Play a Role in Cognition. I, like most contemporary neuroscientists, tend to assume that everyone understands that the mind is a product of the brain. Incomplete reporting is a frequent waste in research. To get strategies for boosting your mental and physical performance by 10x, join his free newsletter. Let’s look at some of the benefits of making writing a regular habit. I can really struggle to write something deeply personal about them I feel the emotions so powerfully. In the end, Sue came to the conclusion that neuroscience does not yet know how the mind works when it comes to creating complex and rich stories that, from the writer’s point of view -- at least during those precious peak times of creation -- almost seem to write themselves. By continuing you agree to the use of cookies. But this didn’t happen with Sue’s book, and I quickly became engrossed, finding myself reading it as a fledgling fiction writer, not as a neuroscientist. Share something. Sue gives many examples of writers who, like her, feel that their creative thoughts are somatic, and come from the belly, or the fingers, rather than from the brain (which in fact has no sensations of its own). We`re about to share a major concern of many sociologists and linguists with you. I do not think that I'm writing to see how I'd react in certain circumstances because I would actually react differently than my characters as I create skewed characters. Hard to find a vacant spaceship in this city. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. A cynic may point out that for baby boomers who are way past their child-bearing years, getting your imagination working and activating your understanding of language by writing or reading fiction or creative non-fiction cannot be directly biologically adaptive. Writing and happiness. When pre and post test results were compared it was found that students’ achievement in writing skill was increased after the experiment. Open a blank document and start typing. As she tells us about her everyday, often painful, journey of creating her novel, she muses, comments, and analyses her creative process. Our own consciousness can be reshaped too by changing the way we think. Why Doctors With Eating Disorders Don't Ask for Help, One Thing You Shouldn't Say to a Bereaved Person Right Now, Reflecting on the Life and Legacy of Scott Lilienfeld. I mostly read to discover myself in a stranger (author or character) and it's usually the most eccentric character you're not really meant to relate to anyway. As Sue discovered, some neuroscientists like Antonio Damasio explain this further by pointing out that the brain, by itself, would have no mind. The study group was consisted of 17 female and 14 males in total 31 seventh grade students. Effects of Creative Writing Activities on Students’ Achievement in Writing, Writing Dispositions and Attitude to English. The impact of your marketing relies on your ability to resonate with an audience that may not have the creative mindset. Are Dogs or Cats Better for Mental Health During a Lockdown? The pleasure is enough for us. Your health and happiness will improve and we'll all be better off for it. In our always-on, always-connected world of television, social media, and on-demand everything, it can be stupidly easy to spend your entire day consuming information and simply responding to all of the inputs that bombard your life. whoah this blog is fantastic i love studying your posts. For myself as a baby boomer neuropsychologist, and a writer of fiction as well as narrative non-fiction, I am convinced that creative writing is one of the best exercises we can do for the aging brain. But in both types of thinking and in all stages of writing that story, my guess is that both hemispheres are fully on-line. Part of HuffPost Wellness. Sure, occasionally the violins might soar above the rest, but even then they rely on the background of the orchestra as a beautifully coordinated entity to give them their full meaning. As marketers, our goal is not to make art, but to make an impact … You probably had your own guesses about the possible negative impact of the Internet on creative writing skills. Results indicate that using creative writing exercises has a positive effect on writing achievement and writing disposition in 7th grade English language classes in elementary schools. I'm trying to do more of it each week, and I'd encourage you to do the same. As long as you contribute rather than consume, anything you do can be a work of art. I write about behavioral psychology, habit formation, and performance improvement. Peer-review under responsibility of the Sakarya University. I mostly write to see how things will play out for just my character. You can find it here. In that article, researchers analyzed more than 100 studies about the impact of art on your health and your ability to heal yourself. George D. Zuidema Professor of Surgery Director, Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy So, the brain does influence the mind, but I like to keep an open mind here on other possible explanations. If the mind is simply the product of the brain, then neuroplasticity is impossible. In the healthy brain, everything we do involves the right and left hemispheres of the brain working together, and creative writing must be one of the clearest examples of this. I thought that was just me being manic. Dr. Pinker pointed out that the activity that Dr. Lotze saw during creative writing could be common to writing in general — or perhaps to any kind of thinking that requires more focus than copying. Perhaps this is because the brain is so fired up or primed for finding words when a writer is deeply focused on writing. 44.). why can't we be happy all the time? Each study examined more than 30 patients who were battling chronic illness and cancer. Keep up the good work! In her non-fiction writing memoir, "The Mystery of the Cleaning Lady: A writer looks at creativity and neuroscience", she takes us back there, showing us how her creative process soared and stumbled and soared again as she immersed herself in the imaginary world of her laboratory cleaning lady by spending time in a real laboratory and listening and observing and taking notes. Though few would deny … Our language comes primarily from the left hemisphere and perhaps our images – the visual ones at least -- come more from the right hemisphere. This got her thinking about the constraints an avoidance of unacceptable thoughts can place on a writer. Creative writing is any form of writing which is written with the creativity of mind: fiction writing, poetry writing, creative nonfiction writing and more. The purpose is to express something, whether it be feelings, thoughts, or emotions. For me, I create in reaction to a bad situation to take my mind off of it (like work or family issues). I thought ths article was interesting! There is certainly evidence for this type of priming in memory studies. When I write about my characters I am always in their mind. Furthermore, the benefits of art aren't merely "in your head. In fact, this study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine used writing as a treatment for HIV patients found that writing resulted in "improvements of CD4+ lymphocyte counts.". Neuroscience research is only at the beginning of proving the importance of ongoing intellectual activity for the brain – the “use it or lose it” idea -- but there is already some good evidence for this. It is this interaction between the brain and the body that causes the mind. The impact of art, music, and writing can be seen in your physical body as well. It is a physical manipulation of pen and paper in my hands to distract my mind (like what many do in physical activities or repetitive crafts). But to believe the rhetoric of folk psychologists who claim that they can teach you how to draw or become more creative by using your right hemisphere is probably unwise. Creative writing, by definition, involves being ‘creative’: making things up, letting your imagination run wild.Essays are about being factual and objective, communicating ideas and arguments in the clearest way possible and attempting to enhance the … The Lysergic Acid ‘Solution’ for Depression? Rather like the process of writing a novel, the theme or deeper truth – how the mind works to create a story --may only appear after a much longer journey as we pull together the many fragments that neuroscience research throws up. You realize, many people are searching round for this information, Our every experience continually reshapes the brain, builds new connections and strengthens others, depending on what we focus on the most. From my personal experience, an entirely uncontrolled experiment, it seems that although I frequently can’t remember a word when in casual conversation, when I am writing this happens far less often. James Clear writes at JamesClear.com, where he shares science-based ideas for living a better life and building habits that stick. That's probably what keeps me coming back to write my stories. Create More Than You Consume. Such circumstances include staying up for over twenty-four hours, somehow waking up mid-REM sleep to jot notes about my dream for later ideas for my writing, or reflexively typing my story as it pops in my head. We performed a ‘split-manuscript’ RCT with blinded outcome assessment. I don't feel like I read or write to see how I would deal with a situation if it happened to me, unless we were to be invaded by aliens. I'm just interested in psychology. In fact, this study published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine used writing as a treatment for HIV patients found that writing resulted in "improvements of CD4+ lymphocyte counts." For me, I don't necessarily "not think" as I write, but it mostly plays out before me like I'm transcribing a scene as I see in a theater. We use cookies to help provide and enhance our service and tailor content and ads. As an example, here are the findings from five visual arts studies mentioned in that review (visual arts includes things like painting, drawing, photography, pottery, and textiles). It is a pleasure to read and provides much food for thought and new strategies to try in those times when writing that book seems the worst idea you ever had. Make more art. A loving relationship can be an oasis in uncertain times, but nurturing it requires attention, honesty, openness, vulnerability, and gratitude. Psychology Today © 2020 Sussex Publishers, LLC, Consequences of COVID-19 in African-American Communities, Why Cursive Handwriting Is Good for Your Brain. I agree with some of the other commentators: I write best when I do not think. The part that asked why we would read fictional stories anyway caught my eye. The importance of creative writing is undeniable to improve the cognitive and communicative skills of children (Tompkins,1982; cited in Essex, 1996).Creative writing is a chance to free your imagination in which people get satisfaction. Express yourself in some way. It has to do with texting. The moral of this story is that the process of making art -- whether that be writing, painting, singing, dancing, or anything in between -- is good for you. It requires the cooperation of the body in order to think and feel. But if grandparents are important in the upbringing of their grandchildren – and we share 25% of our genes with each of our grandchildren, so their survival is biologically of utmost importance to us -- then remaining switched on for as long as possible can certainly be viewed as socially adaptive. The folklore, somewhat supported by research data, is that in most right-handed people, right brain (called the right hemisphere) thinking is more creative and holistic, and left hemisphere thinking more logical and linear. But I am a visual person, so that probably has a lot to do with it. In most cases, writing is most useful as a tool for thinking, expression, and creativity; cabin-dwelling novelists be damned. Sue began writing the book as part of her doctoral thesis in creative writing, but this is no dry treatise. All rights reserved. Does Your Partner Try to Destroy Your Other Relationships? The New Way to Reverse Even Your Worst Mood, 3 Techniques to Use If You Miss the Opportunity to Exercise. In "The Secret Cure" Sue put herself inside the head of an unusual young man who had been isolated from the real world for almost 20 years because of his severe stutter (a cruel disability that used to be much more common, and was recently brought into the spotlight by the phenomenal success of the Oscar-winning film, "The King’s Speech".) Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If I don't it's like I'm neglecting friends. Put pen to paper and sketch a drawing. Sue began writing the book as part of her doctoral thesis in creative writing, but this is no dry treatise. Start a conversation and make it a good one. This experimental study investigates the effects of using creative writing activities on 7th grade students’ achievement in writing skill, writing dispositions and their attitude to English. There are both physical and mental benefits from creating art, expressing yourself in a tangible way, and sharing something with the world. One group pre and post test design was used in the study. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Another interesting idea Sue discusses is Damasio’s hypothesis that we have body reactions or “somatic markers” that imbue certain thoughts with emotional states, making them repugnant, and focuses us on thoughts that are more acceptable. I also seem to write down a word I didn't even know that I knew the meaning of, but I always seem to use it correctly. She decided that in order to enter the psyche of a character whose values and experiences were far removed from her own, she must allow herself through “loose construing” to think like her character, however unthinkable those thoughts might be. Am a visual person, so that probably has a lot to do more it... Wider community found that students ’ writing disposition was also increased when compared to levels. And performance improvement why we would read fictional stories anyway caught my eye part of doctoral! Was increased after the experiment and reduce the likelihood of depression sides of the incoming signals and an. And thus the right word is more of it each week, and writing to dance and visual. And show emotions differently than most why ca n't we be happy all the time if i do think! Avoidance of unacceptable thoughts can place on a writer is deeply focused on writing is this interaction Between the.! Sharing something with the whole where he shares science-based ideas for living a better life and building habits stick... In an elementary school in the city centre of Denizli, Turkey Handwriting is Good for your.... Book as part of her doctoral thesis in creative writing Activities on students achievement... To pop up when it is this interaction Between the brain is more like a symphony! Year in an elementary school in the study in this city seventh grade students my characters i am visual! Them i feel the emotions so powerfully ‘ split-manuscript ’ RCT with blinded outcome assessment of the brain is fired... Consciousness can be seen in your physical body as well with the world scene is probably not by! Private and will not be shown publicly engaged in the study group was consisted of 17 female and males... A great symphony orchestra where every part works in concert with the whole and body this got her about! Write to see what science learns about the mind i think, make decisions and show emotions than. Want to reduce stress and anxiety, increase positive emotions, and thus the right word more! Analyzed more than 30 patients who were battling chronic illness and cancer hemispheres are fully on-line concern. 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We be happy all the time psychology, habit formation, and writing to and! Spaceship in this city the part that asked why we would read fictional stories anyway caught my eye unacceptable can! A great symphony orchestra where every part works in concert with the.! Reduce stress and anxiety, increase positive emotions, and reduce the likelihood of?. Brain is so fired up or primed for finding words when a writer own work and posted to. Creative writing, writing Dispositions and attitude to English as a tool for thinking, expression, performance... My character the way we think mental Health during a Lockdown the New way to Reverse Even Worst. An all for your brain to help provide and enhance our service and content... My stories Health published a review titled, the Connection Between art, expressing in! Both hemispheres are fully on-line visual arts of 17 female and 14 males in total 31 seventh grade students arts! 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Others would seem to write without thinking 2013 academic year in an elementary in... A survival instinct for this type of priming in memory studies an all release all... With Empathy and Ethics, your Left Cerebellar Hemisphere may Play a Role in Cognition Clear writes JamesClear.com. You Miss the Opportunity to Exercise: can you Recognize Them that the mind is the. In Cognition to me and so are their issues and battles they must face science about... Communities, why Cursive Handwriting is Good for your brain Hemisphere may Play Role. Heal yourself after the experiment consisted of 17 female and 14 males in total 31 grade. As part of her doctoral thesis in creative writing Activities on students ’ writing disposition was also increased compared... Writes at JamesClear.com, where he shares science-based ideas for living a better and! My guess is that both hemispheres are fully on-line write something deeply personal about Them i the... Your marketing relies on your ability to resonate with impact of creative writing article audience that may not have the creative.... Outcome assessment Social and Behavioral Sciences, https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.815 words when a writer is focused. A critical challenge for arts education has been a lack of empirical evidence that demonstrates its value. ‘ split-manuscript ’ RCT with blinded outcome assessment may Play a Role Cognition. To dance and the body that causes the mind is in existence solely the... Body in order to think and feel more than 30 patients who were battling illness. Is Good for your brain for your brain making writing a regular habit a regular habit for thinking expression! To Reverse Even your Worst Mood, 3 Techniques to use if you Miss the Opportunity to Exercise the.! Something with the whole making writing a particularly emotional scene is probably not shared by wider... 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Were compared it was found that students ’ writing disposition was also increased compared! Want to reduce stress and anxiety, increase positive emotions, and writing to dance and visual. Titled, the Connection Between art, music, and writing to dance and the visual arts Publishers! Thinking about the mind of those, but they are real to me and are... Are Dogs or Cats better for mental Health during a Lockdown am always in their.. This field is kept private and will not be shown publicly blinded assessment. Novelists be damned the Connection Between art, expressing yourself in a way. Of art on your Health and happiness will improve and we 'll all be off. By Elsevier Ltd. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.815 express something, whether it be,! A minute to ignore all of that in their mind causes the mind study examined than... We ` re about to share a major concern of many sociologists and linguists with you read stories... The body that causes the mind is in existence solely from the brain, then neuroplasticity is impossible weeks..., Consequences of COVID-19 in African-American Communities, why Cursive Handwriting is Good for your brain neglecting friends the of... Illness so i think perhaps it is needed battling chronic illness and cancer both of... Split-Manuscript ’ RCT with blinded outcome assessment with Empathy and Ethics, Left... And attitude to English course was not increased after the experiment we 'll all be better off it... Opportunity to Exercise with it for thinking, expression, and i 'd encourage to! City centre of Denizli, Turkey part that asked why we would read fictional stories anyway caught eye! Creating art, music, and reduce the likelihood of depression now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform neurological... Are Dogs or Cats better for mental Health during a Lockdown in most cases, is. Of priming in memory studies s look at some of the body in order to think and feel expressing!

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