Chapter 2

Awaken Your Writing Brain

Create the Mindset to Write

“The story—from Rumplestiltskin to War and Peace—is one of the basic tools invented by the human mind for the purpose of understanding. There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories.”

—Ursula Le Guin

Whether you’re already a writer, earning money as a writer—novelist, poet, nonfiction author, screenwriter, scriptwriter; newspaper, magazine, or online content writer; and so on—or whether you are someone who longs to write but has never put pen to paper, you likely already possess certain qualities and affinities that make you good at what you do, or that, together, contribute to the appeal of writing. Many writers feel a calling to become a writer, and many, many writers come to writing from a passion for reading, or for researching and reporting the truth, or from mining situations, characters, and emotions in an attempt to understand the human condition.

In my experience, most novelists, screenwriters, poets, and playwrights fell in love with reading, storytelling, movies, plays, and words at an early age. Most seemed to be more affected than usual affected by the experiences that reading conjured, often reporting that they fell under a spell when reading books they loved—they even remembered the most moving passages decades later. Most read extensively throughout their childhood and into adulthood. For others, hearing stories as a child left indelible impressions of the mannerisms, follies, bravery, and cowardice of certain characters. Overhearing adult conversations left them feeling mesmerized by the unique ways people expressed themselves, and they experienced an unquenchable desire for hearing—reading, and then writing—stories themselves.

Many writers had difficult or exceptional childhoods and feel that somehow they were “born” to write the story of what happened in their family or the story of what their parents did—or didn’t do—that made their childhoods unique and unforgettable. A lot of writers harbor hurt feelings and learn to use writing as a means to express those feelings and find some way to move past them, or at least to learn from them; that is, writing is often transformative.

It Requires Devotion

We’ve all met people who profess a strong desire to become a writer and then sheepishly—or not—confess that they don’t read, that they haven’t read a novel in years, and they don’t devour magazine articles, historical tomes, or nonfiction books. They just want to be writers. Often these people are dilettantes who imagine that being a writer is fun. And it is ... sometimes. Mostly, however, writing requires massive dedication, a whole lot of time spent alone, way too much sitting, countless hours spent thinking hard, and unending, and occasionally painful, dedication to forming ideas and laboring over the production of sentences, paragraphs, scenes, dialogue, punctuation, and all the elements that go into writing a novel, a play, a screenplay, or a poem. When we’re not writing, we’re thinking, plotting, imagining, or editing, which can be far more tedious than cranking out first drafts.

It Begins With a Love for Language

For me, and this is likely true for most aspiring writers, words and language become worlds unto themselves. Writers seem to simply love words, and they experience a visceral feeling of passion and excitement when reading stories and poems. Writers may also have an affinity for remembering lots of words, unusual words, or words with complicated, nuanced meanings. Likely more than most, they also remember certain stories, certain characters, certain images that arose fully formed from a book they read thirty years ago, and writers whose style of writing mesmerized them then—and mesmerize them now. Early in life, those who go on to become creative writers likely recognize those feelings as passion, and, for many, storytelling and writing become a source of immense pleasure, titillating challenge, and refuge—one arena in which they feel most fully like themselves. Many writers recognize themselves in the characters and recognize that the person who created those characters and wrote the scenes that drew them so deeply into the story were their people, the tribe they’d been seeking from an early age. While other children relish activity, particularly outdoors, future writers usually enjoy being inside, reading nonfiction books, a novel, a short story or poem. Reading brings future writers physical and mental pleasures, in ways it may not do so for other children.

Do You Have an Affinity for Writing?

If you feel a burning desire to write, it’s highly likely that you already possess certain mental and emotional qualities that can serve you well. Before launching into your next writing project, boldly embrace your strengths and shine a light on the skills you need to develop. These qualities include:

• verbal acuity, usually from an early age
• love for and a unique “ear” for words, language, rhythm, imagery, and story
• vivid imagination and creative
• strong visual, auditory, and sensate memory
• astute observer who employs all five (or six) senses when witnessing and remembering events
• very conscious of feelings; empathetic, passionate
• inquisitive, curious, open to new thoughts and interpretations
• visionary, see larger picture and envision beginning, middle, and end of stories
• patient, able to delay gratification, allow the telling to unfold
• comfortable being alone for long periods of time
• like to live in your head; daydreamer
• actually like to think
• able to focus, capable of occasionally achieving a one-track mind
• detail oriented without being obsessive or an excessive worrier
• affinity for understanding and conveying multiple points of view

Every writer’s brain is uniquely “designed” and few possess all of the qualities on the list. What matters most is that you notice the qualities you have and identify how they help—or hinder—your writing. View your affinities in a positive manner and reinforce your use of them to craft works of art by thinking and speaking positive thoughts about your process—it’s been scientifically proven that an optimistic brain is a happy and productive brain. It’s far too easy to fall into a mindset that writing is hard, arduous, demanding work that requires you to sacrifice a normal life for one filled with deadlines, anxiety, and stress. What’s more desirable is to create a mindset that recognizes, utilizes, and celebrates the qualities that brought you to writing and inspires you to write even when it becomes a physical, mental, or emotional challenge. Reaffirming and employing the qualities that accompany your desire to write is more likely to lead to success and pleasure.

Mine Your Affinities for Affirmations

It’s helpful to use your affinity list as affirmations to bolster positive thoughts about yourself as a writer: “I am imaginative, creative, and compassionate. I am open to new ways of thinking and fresh ways of seeing certain issues in life. I am able to focus on what I want this particular work to reflect. I love to think, plan, dream, originate. I have a magnificent, energized brain that loves to write.” ... And so on.

Also, identifying qualities that aren’t yet developed offers you the opportunity to focus on developing those skills. It’s quite possible that the innate qualities are there but you simply haven’t recognized them or called upon them when writing. Shining a light on them will help your brain focus on what you most appreciate and what you need it to do.

Writing Excellence Can Be Learned

We do know that brain development is dependent upon experience. The more a brain region is used, the bigger it tends to become. This means that some people may become smarter by simply exercising their brains more throughout life. It’s been suggested that the genes involved in intelligence work by making people want to learn, and that the act of learning then enlarges the brain.

One thing that is a certainty: Writing is a craft that can be acquired, practiced, and mastered. Just as artists learn about oil and watercolor paints, the delicacy of brushes, the variations of brushstrokes, and the various styles that can imitated, writers learn about imagery, dialogue, narrative, scene building, and other aspects of the craft that they can focus upon and improve with practice. The art emerges as the craft is mastered, as writers learn how to conceive, create, craft, rewrite, reshape, refine, and perfect storytelling.

Why Writers Write

Ask writers why they write, and you’re likely to hear that they don’t feel complete unless they’re writing, or some variation of that explanation. Having a “natural talent” is often attributed, but whether that refers to a talent for language, for storytelling, for researching and reporting facts, for dramatizing, or for being facile with free-form witticisms, who knows? I’ve often said that I write because I seem to possess an affinity for composition, for expressing my thoughts and feelings, and for writing about characters and situations. Like many, I write journal entries (most never published, by choice) because writing is a process that helps me hone my thoughts and burrow down to the most important feelings, revealing insights that don’t come as easily any other way. Mostly, those who choose to write fiction do so because they love reading (or film or stage plays) and always have, and they have a few stories they long to contribute to the world. They hope their stories will be well received and meaningful for years to come, maybe capturing a point in time or aspects of life during their time that will offer something to knowledge one hundred years from now—about their country, about being a man or woman, about being a son or daughter, a father or mother, and so on. Writers love telling stories and feel an urge to create them, and the good news is that by developing your affinities, your perceptions, and your craft each step along the way you can definitely fire up your writing brain to become a better storyteller.

Why Writers Create in a Certain Medium

Why you write novels, poems, or self-help books may be another question that seems simplistic, but even if you’ve always been a memoirist or you've always been a journalist, it can be helpful to revisit the whys and wherefores. Did you consciously choose a medium or fall into it somewhat haphazardly? Do you feel that you have certain affinities or certain abilities you feel compelled to use or find easy to maximize and that, therefore, determine which medium you choose: dialogue (scriptwriters), action (anything from comic books to action films), characterization (novels), high drama (plays), feelings (poetry), and so on? Do you feel you’ve found your niche, or is a large part of your struggle to write (or perhaps even your resistance to write) based on perceived weaknesses that you feel you have to conquer?

Let’s discuss various mediums and the affinities or motivations that may reinforce your decision.

• Nonfiction: You have the expertise and/or you like working with an expert to educate people on science, art, music, or anything, really. You possess an analytical brain that likes to burrow into topics that fascinate you, and you are adept at then explaining them to others. You have a fresh perspective on a subject that needs exploring.
• Historical: You want to record events as they happened or to revive stories that have been forgotten. You’re inspired to capture the essence of people who have greatly affected the world; or you lived through something monumental (like being a soldier in a war) and have a unique contribution to offer.
• Novels: You long to capture essential knowledge about people and situations. You enjoy inspiring and entertaining others via storytelling. You want to create a work of art that is at once unique and memorable. You want to write stories that help individuals and society come to realizations about what was working, what wasn’t working, and what might be needed. You want to shine a light on travesties or to inspire others to create a better world.
• Memoir: You lived through something that will offer others a way to navigate dangerous waters or that will inspire others to rise to new heights. People are wildly curious about you (for whatever reason). You want to make sense of what happened, find a silver lining in tragedy, and finally appreciate or release past events.
• Comedy: When you talk, people laugh. You have a unique perspective and a razor-sharp, wickedly fast wit. Your lighthearted perspective needs expressing. You feel most alive when making people laugh. The world needs to lighten up. Humor is a healthy coping method.
• Poetry/Lyricist: You enjoy mining your inner thoughts and feelings. You’re passionate about the gracefulness of language and the use of metaphor to communicate deep thoughts and resounding notes of spiritual ascendancy or decline. You’re deep and intense and have something remarkable to express.
• Nature Writing: You love bringing the beauty of the world to the forefront. You want to honor the beauty around us all and to help others see with new eyes, understand with fresh knowledge, and respect all the darlings of our universe. Everything in nature is a marvel to you.
• Science Writing: You want to bring new knowledge to the forefront and to defend or uproot practices that hold the potential to foster life or lead to death. You’ll do whatever it takes to promote science.

You get the idea ... choosing your medium is a reflection of personality, affinities, perspective, philosophy, and opportunity—and ideally it should be something you consciously consider. Recognizing your strengths should inform your choices but not necessarily restrict them. Maybe you’ve been a successful poet but you now long to write a novel (or vice versa). Noting the affinities you already possess that would support experimentation could inspire you to new heights.

Understanding the Gender Component

Though some still cling to the idea that men’s slightly larger brains give them an edge in high-level cognitive processing—such as writing—it’s just not true. It is true, however, that women tend to best men in scholastic achievement. So what are the differences, and do they play a significant role in writing?

Some studies have shown that men have stronger connections between the front and back of their brain (something that helps with connecting what you see with what you do, and seeing and responding quickly), while women have more wiring between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, in an area called the corpus callosum (something that helps with quickly connecting ideas and empathy). The only region where men had more connections between the left and right sides of the brain was in the cerebellum, which plays a vital role in motor control.

All of which means males tend to be better at spatial processing, capable of rotating an object in their minds, something recently documented in infants as young as three months old. They also seem better at judging angle orientation and navigating by cardinal direction. Women, on the other hand, tend to have more verbal fluency and a greater memory for objects and faces—women are better at remembering where things are and who they’ve seen before. They are also more likely to navigate by using landmarks than cardinal direction.

Thus, as you can see, whatever small differences exist have little to do with intelligence, or anyone’s superior cognitive functioning, which means that gender does not play a role in whether someone has an affinity for writing or has real potential to be better at writing. Men’s brains are larger because they have larger skulls and higher body mass. Period.

Understanding the Emotional Component

Obviously the reasons we’ve discussed may help you clarify the type of writing you wish to do, but the reasons to actually write are often emotional:

• to pummel or even eviscerate an enemy (Not usually a good idea.)
• to spew out feelings that you were unable to expel any other way (Could go badly or could be healing, depending on whether you chose a target or accept responsibility and use the process to better understand and forgive yourself.)
• to express a self-righteous attitude (Dogma is usually shortsighted at best.)
• to spread the message of love or to encourage love (Usually a worthwhile idea, if it’s not too saccharin or delusional.)
• to spin a fascinating tale and be seen as clever (Go for it, but strive for genuine, original cleverness.)
• to share a story that dominates your thoughts and keeps asking to be told (Give it a whirl!)
• to accomplish the goal of creating a work of art (Polish your craft and rewrite and rewrite until it truly is unique and meaningful.)
• to make sense of the world around you
• to find your place in the history of literature, science, comedy, or ... (Do your homework so you have something groundbreaking to say or do.)
• to give voice to those who felt dispossessed and unable to fight their own battles
• to use the talents bestowed upon you (Maybe you’re just not good at anything else.)
• to expose what is wrong or define what is right with the world
• to capture life in all its complexity

These are all examples of what may be motivating you to write, and while you don’t have to bring these motivations to light, in working to identify what compels you to write, you are giving your brain an assignment to use its full capacity to help you fulfill your goal and achieve your desires. This can be helpful when your writing sags and you begin to wonder if it’s all worth the effort. If you’ve provided your brain with the reasons why you are writing your work in progress (or waiting for its time), your brain will bring those ideas back to consciousness when you most need them.

Why Do You Write?

It seems like such a simplistic question, yet the answer plays a crucial role in motivating your brain. As we’ve discussed, writing is not easy—though it may flow for some—and it requires dedication and persistence and a lot of intensive thinking. I know few writers that have the luxury of time and many writers who constantly struggle with self-doubt or feeling discouraged, often questioning why they put themselves through the hoops.

We’ll talk more in the next chapter about the values of identifying which type of writer you are, but first, your Train Your Writing Brain assignment (we’ll have one at the end of each chapter, designed to help you fire up your writing brain).

Writers on Craft

“There’s no hole inside of me to fill or anything like that, but once I started doing it, I couldn’t imagine wanting to do anything else for a living. I noticed very quickly that writing was the only way to lose track of time.”

—Michael Lewis

“I’ve never worked a day in my life. The joy of writing has propelled me from day to day and year to year. I want you to envy me my joy. Get out of here tonight and say: ‘Am I being joyful?’”

—Ray Bradbury

“If you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good. Hot is no good either. White hot and passionate is the only thing to be.”

—Roald Dahl

“One day I was at my job as a consulting programmer for Mobil Oil. I was tired of writing programs, so I wrote this sentence: ‘On hot sticky days in southern Louisiana, the fire ants swarmed.’ I’d never been to Louisiana, and I’d never seen a fire ant, but I thought ‘this sounds like the first line of a novel,’ so I wrote my first book.”

—Walter Mosley

“I would write even if I couldn’t make a living at it, because I can’t not write. I am amazed and delighted and still in a state of shock about the success of Water for Elephants, but that’s not why I write. I do it for love. The rest is gravy.”

—Sara Gruen