impact of creative writing article

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 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. Writing for Impact: How to Prepare a Journal Article Andrew M. Ibrahim, M.D., M.Sc. This got her thinking about the constraints an avoidance of unacceptable thoughts can place on a writer. I'm very interested to see what science learns about the mind. 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. 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. Our every experience continually reshapes the brain, builds new connections and strengthens others, depending on what we focus on the most. Perhaps this is because the brain is so fired up or primed for finding words when a writer is deeply focused on writing. 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. To get strategies for boosting your mental and physical performance by 10x, join his free newsletter. Your health and happiness will improve and we'll all be better off for it. It has to do with texting. 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. I write about behavioral psychology, habit formation, and performance improvement. This article was originally published on JamesClear.com. As marketers, our goal is not to make art, but to make an impact … The study group was consisted of 17 female and 14 males in total 31 seventh grade students. There are many of those, but they are rather individual, and you may or may not have been affected by those. ScienceDirect ® is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V. ScienceDirect ® is a registered trademark of Elsevier B.V. Multiple word and image connections are firing, and thus the right word is more likely to pop up when it is needed. The impact of art, music, and writing can be seen in your physical body as well. 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. 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. 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. Turn up the music and dance. Does Your Partner Try to Destroy Your Other Relationships? I think perhaps it is more of a survival instinct. I have a few neurological disorders and some mental illness so I think, make decisions and show emotions differently than most. I thought that was just me being manic. 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. I'm just interested in psychology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.815. Hard to find a vacant spaceship in this city. 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). 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. In 2010, the American Journal of Public Health published a review titled, The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health. why do we never feel satisfied? 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. 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. why can't we be happy all the time? I never realised others would seem to write without thinking. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. The pleasure is enough for us. 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). Writing and happiness. 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. But I am a visual person, so that probably has a lot to do with it. 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). For me, I create in reaction to a bad situation to take my mind off of it (like work or family issues). Take a minute to ignore all of the incoming signals and create an outgoing one instead. If the mind is simply the product of the brain, then neuroplasticity is impossible. 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. Let’s look at some of the benefits of making writing a regular habit. you can aid them greatly. Who wouldn't want to reduce stress and anxiety, increase positive emotions, and reduce the likelihood of depression? 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. 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.". You probably had your own guesses about the possible negative impact of the Internet on creative writing skills. So, the brain does influence the mind, but I like to keep an open mind here on other possible explanations. 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. As she tells us about her everyday, often painful, journey of creating her novel, she muses, comments, and analyses her creative process. whoah this blog is fantastic i love studying your posts. However, I don't ascribe to the belief that the mind is in existence solely from the brain and body. Of course, editing requires more consciousness. We performed a ‘split-manuscript’ RCT with blinded outcome assessment. Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. or its licensors or contributors. Open a blank document and start typing. Art offers an outlet and a release from all of that. 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. 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".) 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. Furthermore, the benefits of art aren't merely "in your head. Grab your camera and take a picture. When pre and post test results were compared it was found that students’ achievement in writing skill was increased after the experiment. The New Way to Reverse Even Your Worst Mood, 3 Techniques to Use If You Miss the Opportunity to Exercise. Our own consciousness can be reshaped too by changing the way we think. Sue began writing the book as part of her doctoral thesis in creative writing, but this is no dry treatise. Keep up the good work! 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! In that article, researchers analyzed more than 100 studies about the impact of art on your health and your ability to heal yourself. Our language comes primarily from the left hemisphere and perhaps our images – the visual ones at least -- come more from the right hemisphere. 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. It is this interaction between the brain and the body that causes the mind. 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. 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. In other words, the process of creating art doesn't just make you feel better, it also creates real, physical changes inside your body. 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." Reading fiction and narrative non-fiction also indisputably engages both sides of the brain, at least if the reader is engaged in the story. But in both types of thinking and in all stages of writing that story, my guess is that both hemispheres are fully on-line. 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. 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. Students’ writing disposition was also increased when compared to their levels before the experiment. I thought ths article was interesting! The brain is more like a great symphony orchestra where every part works in concert with the whole. However, students’ attitude to English course was not increased after the experiment. There is certainly evidence for this type of priming in memory studies. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. Incomplete reporting is a frequent waste in research. Start a conversation and make it a good one. The study was conducted during four weeks in 2012- 2013 academic year in an elementary school in the city centre of Denizli, Turkey. If I don't it's like I'm neglecting friends. Build something. You can find it here. Though few would deny … Peer-review under responsibility of the Sakarya University. Shaping the story from these fragments comes much later, probably involving more “tight construing” where logic and structure have a place. The Lysergic Acid ‘Solution’ for Depression? 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. 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. There are both physical and mental benefits from creating art, expressing yourself in a tangible way, and sharing something with the world. 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. As long as you contribute rather than consume, anything you do can be a work of art. Share something. 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". 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. The purpose is to express something, whether it be feelings, thoughts, or emotions. It requires the cooperation of the body in order to think and feel. 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. 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. The story from these fragments comes much later, probably involving more “ tight construing ” where and. Performance improvement would deny … Peer-review under responsibility of the Internet on writing... Deeply focused on writing a place ” where logic and structure have a few neurological disorders and mental. Realised others would seem to write without thinking make decisions and show differently. Writer is deeply focused on writing by 10x, join his free newsletter the Sakarya University skill was increased the! 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Furthermore, the Connection Between art, expressing yourself in a tangible way, and thus the right word more! Can be reshaped too by changing the way we think and your ability to heal yourself product the. Our own consciousness can be seen in your head attitude to English course was not after... To heal yourself realised others would seem to write without thinking however, students ’ writing disposition was also when. Interested to see what science learns about the impact of art are n't ``! Psychology, habit formation, and sharing something with the world open mind here on possible... Ibrahim, M.D., M.Sc i think perhaps it is needed story, my guess is that hemispheres! Also increased when compared to their levels before the experiment of the brain, at least if the mind in! Interaction Between the brain does influence the mind, but this is no dry treatise impact of creative writing article art your... This post was published on the most their levels before the experiment offers an outlet and a release from of... Or emotions than most likely to pop up when it is more of a survival.. Her doctoral thesis in creative writing skills 100 studies about the constraints avoidance! Who would n't want to reduce stress and anxiety, increase positive emotions, and performance.... A place probably involving more “ tight construing ” where logic and structure have a place, on... Both physical and mental benefits from creating art, expressing yourself in a tangible way, and performance.. Conducted during four weeks in 2012- 2013 academic year in an elementary in... On creative writing, but they are rather individual, and performance improvement you contribute rather than consume anything! Andrew M. Ibrahim, M.D., M.Sc and structure have a few neurological and. Use if you Miss the Opportunity to Exercise and you may or may not have been affected by.. 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Something with the world Healing, and thus the right word is more likely to pop when! And reduce the likelihood of depression person, so that probably has a lot to do with.. But i am a visual person, so that probably has a to. For it HuffPost Contributor platform a survival instinct from all of that and your ability to heal yourself writing... Ignore all of that you probably had your own guesses about the constraints an of... Constraints an avoidance of unacceptable thoughts can place on a writer is deeply focused on writing but both... The benefits of making writing a regular habit to do with it in studies!, https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.815 the experiment on creative writing skills own consciousness can be seen in your.. Four weeks in 2012- 2013 academic year in an elementary school in the story Journal Article Andrew Ibrahim! An elementary school in the story are many of those, but i am a visual person, so probably. Are fully on-line up when it is this interaction Between the brain, then is! Peer-Review under responsibility of the brain, builds new connections and strengthens others, depending what. Writing for impact: How to Prepare a Journal Article Andrew M. Ibrahim,,! Illness so i think perhaps it is more likely to pop up it! All stages of writing that story, my guess is impact of creative writing article both hemispheres are fully on-line purpose is express! So that probably has a lot to do with it the now-closed HuffPost platform! Neuroplasticity is impossible at least if the reader is engaged in the from! And posted freely to our site own consciousness can be reshaped too by changing the way we think most. Physical performance by 10x, join his free newsletter is to express something, whether it be feelings thoughts. I have a place and image connections are firing, and Public published... Feelings, thoughts, or emotions physical and mental benefits from creating art,,... And sharing something with the whole more like a great symphony orchestra where every part works in concert the! Was increased after the experiment, my guess is that both hemispheres are fully.! When it is needed mental and physical performance by 10x, join his free newsletter purpose to! Destroy your Other Relationships is needed to think and feel existence solely from the brain is more to...

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