Train your brain to write better

You train your muscles for strength, endurance and coordination. You can also train your brain to be more creative.

Research proves the brain can build greater creativity with practice. In writing, that means letting go of the tired voice inside that says you can’t do it. Or don’t know what to say. Or might be hungry. Or want to watch TV instead.

It means giving yourself permission to write whatever you want, whenever you want to. And it’s not easy.

If you’ve signed up for Write Raw, you’re already developing the habit of giving yourself permission to say YES to your voice.

That program began when I figured out how to tackle my fear and writer’s block – by accepting whatever I was feeling and writing anyway. I didn’t let my desire to something (anything) else hamper my words bleeding onto the page.

You can cultivate creativity, every day. Study after study shows the key is BEING OPEN TO NEW EXPERIENCES.

Even when it feels weird. Even when you’re afraid. Push your limits. Push through fear. Be open to the jaw-dropping awesomeness you can summon.

Psychologist Art Markman says openness to experience is “the degree to which a person is willing to consider new ideas and opportunities.” Some people love novelty. Some like to stay home.

Either way, as Steve Jobs once said, the bigger your bag of experiences, the more varied the connections you can make between things. And making new connections is what it’s all about.

In this study from Google, neuroscientists explain synapses are the basis of creativity. In other words, synapses firing = creative joy. And the more random the connections, the more synapses occur. (Hat tip to Ash Ambirge for bringing this to my attention.)

“As kids, our synaptic creativity is off the charts. Everything is new. Everything is unlike. We aren’t constrained by the rules about what ‘goes together.’ All the rules of logic, linearity and proper behavior aren’t fully baked, freeing children to develop outrageous and brilliant new notions all the time…”

So, when you return to that childlike state, what do you think happens?

You push your synapses into a veritable carnival of bliss. You get excited. You literally have a buzz. Imagination and creativity hit new peaks.

Need to get out of a writing rut? Play with words.

Write with Katy Perry blaring in the background. (I highly recommend this track.)

Instead of pen to paper, try crayon on birch bark.

By allowing ANYTHING to come out, you amp your ability to create. Being open to new ideas, ways of doing things, perspectives and feelings means you’ll accept the strange, surface nonsensical, non-logical prose too.

And that could very well be sheer brilliance.

Examples?

Imagine writing about a storm where the sky is hungry.

Or about thoughts as narrow as a daisy stem.

Or even company as comfortable as sweater weather.

Synapses purring? You’re welcome.

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Want to learn more about writing like YOU? I’m polishing a new product that will teach you exactly that. Join our subscriber list (upper right-hand corner) to hear more about it and get a discount when it’s released. I’ll also let you know when the new cell phone app is available.

The one writing mistake you don’t even know you’re making

It’s damn hard to commit to things we fear. Things we’re not sure we can do well.

What if trying is just a huge waste of time, money and energy? What if someone doesn’t like what you write?

I’m not ready yet.

I’m not good enough.

What if no one likes it?

Been there. Done that.

Trying to please everyone is the surest way to please no one. (It’s a cliché for a reason.) And in writing, people pleasing actually makes your words fall flat.

The one mistake writers often make without even knowing it? Censoring themselves for fear someone won’t like what they have to say.

You can’t attract readers or sell books if you don’t mean what you say AND say what you think. (Click to tweet.) People know when you’re holding back.

It’s normal to secretly want the world to adore you and your books. By nature, humans don’t go looking for haters. But trying to be perfect actually makes you dull.

We end up stifling our voice and instead rely on the same tired phrases we – and everyone else – have heard over and over.

  • His eyes were as blue as the sky.
  • It felt as though she cut him with a knife. He was heartbroken.
  • She was as cold as ice.

Yuck. Try these instead:

  • His eyes were as fragile and blue as a Robin’s egg.
  • His heart was a dull thud against his sternum, a last gasp before she plunged in the knife. How could she break up with him?
  • The long, thin icicles that drape off the roof in January felt warmer than she did.

What you need is the courage and motivation to throw away the excuses and believe in yourself.

And if you can’t do that on your own, maybe it’s a problem to throw money at. People don’t actually need writing coaches. They don’t need Nikes to run either. But somebody somewhere told us better arch support builds faster runners. And we believe.

The work you put in after you bought the sneakers matters more than the sneakers themselves. But they hold you accountable. They make you feel better, and create a sense of pride in your accomplishments.

Writing coaches are writers’ Nikes. Because, hey, your ankles aren’t the only thing in need of support.

We get you writing faster and more effective first and second drafts in the small amount of time you have. And it’s writing that’s true to you, injected with your personal brand of fuck yeah.

Because letting go of the self-sabotage of perfectionism amps up your writing.

Being who you are makes your words real. People identify with your thoughts and feelings.

Saying what you think without worrying about anyone else’s opinion gives your writing impact – guts and substance, goddammit. And aren’t we all sitting around waiting for someone to tell us the truth?

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Want to learn more about writing like YOU? I’m polishing a new product that will teach you exactly that. Join our subscriber list (upper right-hand corner) to hear more about it and get a discount when it’s released. I’ll also let you know when the new cell phone app is available.