Talk About Writing

Have you ever wondered why artistic people seem to be slightly different than the rest? That many of the creative people that we know seem to have unique personalities, and even tend to be somewhat eccentric? And have you ever read someone’s work and thought to yourself - wow, this writer’s brain is 'wired' differently?

For this episode, we will get into the neuroscience of creative writing, by exploring some of the neural mechanisms that form the basis of writing creatively. 

We will discuss the cliché of how creative people’s brains, their thought processes, and their mental workings are unique and different, which is what allows them to express themselves in compelling ways - and dive into the actual scientific evidence to back this stereotype.

We will also go into some of the factors that have a role to play directly - so the neuroscience of it on one hand, and some secondary factors that also play a role in those neural functions, in terms of the brain functions that affect the cognitive patterns in writers.

Finally, we will touch upon the topic of psychoactive substances, and how writers have, over the centuries, used them to enhance their imagination and creativity - like opium in the 18th century, laudanum by Victorian writers, and LSD in the 20th.

In this episode, we will explore how dialogues operate in works of fiction, and what makes conversations between characters sound authentic, so that readers feel wholly invested. While doing so, we will also will delve into the broader picture of how the conversations that we have in our lives impact us as individuals, to be able to leverage those experiences while crafting powerful dialogues and conversations in our writing.

Have you noticed how we feel different in new cities, behave a particular way in certain social settings, and sometimes feel entirely out of place even in familiar surroundings?b

We, as cognitive, perceptive, sentimental, and inquisitive individuals, tend to absorb elements of the spaces we are in or have been in. Even when we don't directly interact with the spaces around us, they have varying effects on our mental and physical state of being, sometimes even controlling our actions. 

This is a rather overlooked thought profound aspect of our realities, but this phenomenon - of spaces affecting us - is a crucial and pervasive aspect of human existence. 

Spaces affect us, altering our natural behaviours, habits, tendencies, personalities even, and even moulding our identities in the long run. Yet, we treat our surroundings mostly as the backgrounds of our lives, discounting the power of our physical environments over our psyche. But the effects take more serious proportions, we get jolted out of our complacency, and see the direct or indirect effects of the space/place on us. 

In fiction, geographical locations, physical spaces, the environments that form the backdrop and the context of our works of fiction, are not static spaces, but active agents in shaping the characters in the narratives. They give the storyline its own unique flavour - sets the mood for different scenes, lends believability, and influences how the readers perceive and feel the narrative.

This episode will delve into the role of impactful settings in fiction, how we as writers can create more evocative worlds to immerse the reader in, and also go into the broader and rather fascinating subject of how spaces and places - our surroundings - impact us as individuals in society. 

Feeling uninspired, stuck in a creative rut, and not knowing what topic to write on, is a common experience.

Choosing the right subject can often be more challenging than the writing itself. We know that it's not just about finding any topic, but one that resonates with us, elevates our writing style, and showcases our talents in the best possible way. The key lies in identifying ideas with potential and having the confidence to develop them.

In this episode, I will explore some reasons why we tend to struggle in this respect, and share some strategies to manage and overcome creative blocks in writing.

Feeling unsure about your writing is fairly common, especially when you are trying to pitch your work for publication. In this episode, we will talk about some of the unspoken struggles of being a writer, particularly in the beginning stages, to help you navigate these difficult moments in your journey.