How Does an Experienced Writer’s Brain Work?

Send to Kindle

Did you ever wonder what goes on in the brain of a writer? Well, science is now giving us a glimpse into that previously uncharted territory.

I always imagine my brain as an adventure land, full of amusement park rides, secret passages, labyrinths, and all the characters who haven’t yet made it onto paper. OK I have a vivid imagination. GO figure.

Well, it seems that researchers now can use a special kind of mRI to catch writers in the act of verbal calisthenics. Now, the MRI is normally like being inside a big vitamin pill, but this one involves probes and a desk. SO the author can actually play with words and be scanned.

Ooh, shades of alien abduction just jumped into my mind. Yeah, go figure I’m a writer.

I have always imagined it to be true, but having research to back up a hypothesis is a good thing.

Here’s an excerpt from the New York Times article.

As the scientists  report in a new study i n the journal NeuroImage, the brains of expert writers appeared to work differently, even  before they set pen to paper. During brainstorming, the  novice writers activated their  visual centers. By contrast, the brains of expert writers showed more activity in regions involved  in speech.

Practiced wordsmiths think differently before they begin the mechanical aspect of their creation. Very interesting.  There is also a specific part of the brain that activates, called the caudate nucleus. Here’s another bit from the NYT article:

The caudate nucleus is a familiar part of the brain for scientists like Dr. Lotze who study expertise. It plays an essential role in the skill that comes with practice, including activities like board games.

When we first start learning a skill — be it playing a piano or playing basketball — we use a lot of conscious effort. With practice, those actions become more automatic. The caudate nucleus and nearby regions start to coordinate the brain’s activity as this shift happens.

Practice Makes Natural.

This makes sense. Think about the conscious effort you expend learning something new, say a computer application or a new game. You have to think about each action, right? That’s like the novice author mind. o shame there. You’re learning.

The novice also tends to see a mind movie, whereas the adept processes based on speech pattern. They’re already in the experience they’re translating to the page.

How do you become a better writer?