I would like to see what writing does to people on a psychological, emotional, and mental level. I know of a study that suggests writing about an issue we are facing in life helps us heal, but I'm wondering about writing in the realm of fiction and creative nonfiction, rather than just journaling about the issues in life. I'm also wondering if other studies exist on this subject and encourage any takers to go deeper than the surface for this topic.
When I write, I frequently go into my character's mind, to the point I feel like I'm in another mindset completely. This helps to understand multiple points of views and how may different types of characters might think. – SpectreWriter9 years ago
Therapeutic writing as non fiction vs fiction would be a fascinating study! I find journaling helps one work through pent up emotions but fiction can help express abstract feelings. Maybe a little section could address the difference in benefits between therapeutic writing and therapeutic art, it would be very interesting to see how effective those two modes of expression are at helping someone cope. – Slaidey9 years ago
One of the reasons I describe myself as a writer is that I've found that if I'm not writing regularly, I'm not as mentally healthy; I seem to need the outlet. The effect is very specifically fiction-centric -- academic and non-fiction writing doesn't provide the same release. I would love to read some psychologically-based research on why that's true. – Monique9 years ago
Writing can really help people deal with trauma because it allows one to communicate inner thoughts and self-reflections free of judgement. I think this would be a really cool idea and that you should pursue it. I love the idea of writing in the realm of creative nonfiction and, in a way, conducting your own case study about the psychological, emotional, and mental affects writing has on people. – Morgan Muller9 years ago
There are studies that I've seen that expressive writing helps with depression, anxiety, mood stimulation. If you look things up online you can see the studies created for that. Just taking 15 to 30 minutes out of each day is even enough to change a person's mood. I think it's important to get into your character's mindset and I think it can really change a person's mood good or bad as the situation is written out but you feel satisfaction in the end and the outcome. I believe if a person is feeling a specific way or dealing with something, writing it out and fictionalizing it can give them a way to cope and look over it and see one of the many possible outcomes written before them to put their mind to ease just a little bit.But as Slaidey said, it would be fantastic to see just how the difference is between non-fiction and fiction writing and the mood changes of the writers afterwards! – shelbysf9 years ago
I looked into this a bit during my degree and some studies I can suggest are... Mcardle, S. and Byrt, R. (2001) ‘Fiction, poetry and mental health: expressive and therapeutic uses of literature’, Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 8: 517–524. Sexton, J.D. and Pennebaker, J.W. (2009) ‘The healing powers of expressive writing’, in S.B. Kaufman and J.C. Kaufman (eds.) The psychology of creative writing, pp. 264-274. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. If you look up therapeutic writing / therapeutic reading / narrative therapy some more relevant studies may come up (especially if the ones listed above are difficult to access, apologies if they are!) For more general stuff about narrative and therapy/psychology: Riessman, C. and Quinney, L. (2005) ‘Narrative in social work: a critical review’, Qualitative Social Work, 4 (4): 391-412. Kleinman, A. (1998) The illness narratives: suffering, healing, and the human condition. United States: Basic Books. Harre, R. (1997) ‘An outline of the main methods for social psychology’, in N. Hayes (ed.) Doing qualitative analysis in psychology, pp. 17-37. Hove: Psychology Press. Hayes, N. (1997) ‘Introduction to Part I’, in N. Hayes (ed.) Doing qualitative analysis in
psychology, pp. 11-16. Hove: Psychology Press. Emerson, P. and Frosh, S. (2004) Critical Narrative Analysis in Psychology: A Guide to
Practice, revised edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. Hope this helps! :) – Camille Brouard9 years ago
When I write, even if it's not about my life, I find it very therapeutic. – kendalld9 years ago
As Kendal said, writing for me is also very therapeutic and also a creative release. – Munjeera9 years ago
What interests me above all of this, is what writing does to memory and ultimately who we are / become. (i.e. how important is writing in the formation of self?), which also plays into our mental--and maybe even physical--health. – AKulik9 years ago
I think it would also be interesting if the article explores why so many great writers struggled with mental health issues. Not that there is necessarily a connection, but the contrast has always been a bit for me: writing being therapeutic and writers struggling with life.
This article from The Guardian might shed some light on the subject:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/dec/13/writers-depression-top-10-risk – faezew9 years ago
With dwindling test scores in core Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines, politicians, policy-makers, and pundits have shifted rhetoric towards emphasizing curriculums geared towards hard sciences, such as Information Technology. As a result, arts education, from visual to written, has become radically divested of school funding from the primary to secondary levels and beyond, in comparison to their more tangible counterparts. Research initiatives are popping up around the country, such as the University of Iowa's "Creative Matters" series through their Office of Research & Economic Development and Arts Advancement committee, to defend the role of creativity and arts education in the classroom, including the hard sciences ((link)
How can creative writing benefit the classroom, and (more importantly) assist students in learning about STEM-based subjects?
Wow, this is something I've never considered, though I certainly don't think creative writing and STEM studies need to be exclusive, just as the humanities and STEM can intersect. I'm very curious about what someone will do with this topic. – emilydeibler9 years ago
Are you looking at K-12 education or college writing? I am in composition studies, and there is a *ton* of research on using creative writing in the composition/English 101 classroom at the college level, as a foundation to teach more specialized writing. There is also a move towards "STEAM"--that is, adding "arts" into STEM education--happening at several universities. – Caitlin Ray9 years ago
I don't think anyone can argue the importance of tech education, but creativity is absolutely necessary. Arts and writing help us think in a different way and exercise our creativity. What is the point of technology, if we don't have the creativity to come up with new and innovative ideas. – Tatijana9 years ago
It's all about balance and developing the separate cognitive skills creativity and STEM force us to use. – 1person9 years ago
Yes! Creativity is definitely a skill that needs to be developed. – DelaneyRoo969 years ago
This is a distinctly political question! It's all tied up in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and how that was designed to create students who could become "effective" workers in a growing STEM based world. What ends up happening, and the Common Core's obsession with both technology and nonfiction is a testament to this, is actually a systematic destruction of opportunities for critical thinking. What is labeled as "critical thinking" seems to actually be "systematic thinking". Creativity and critical awareness should be linked (ie - finding a way around a problem in a creative fashion), but they have been separated. This topic is timely, urgent, and important! I would love to write this topic from a political perspective. – Racoonhands9 years ago
It's comforting to know I am not the only person this dilemma concerns. As a modern era student coursework has become increasingly difficult and demanding. I graduated from high school in the class of 2014. Throughout my education the lack of attention to Arts programs became disturbingly evident. The school board felt it would be best to cut funding on "unnecessary" subjects like art, band, orchestra and creative writing and divert that money towards core curriculum. This may have seemed like the best response to the nations' academic shortcomings but in retrospect it was detrimental and quite frankly suppressive. I saw the effects of this personally and within my peers. In my early years of education I was active in painting, sketching, poetry and I played the cello for my middle school orchestra. These years were the years I excelled the most academically and was a high A, occasional mid B student. I would later be accepted into the Health/Science Magnet program at the high school I would attend as well as Advanced Placement course and Dual Enrollment. Upon entering high school my friends and I were no longer able to continue our passion for orchestra because the district refused to fund a program for high school. The art classes were always packed to the max capacity and difficult to get into. This left me and my friends with only our specialized health/science classes, College Courses and Advanced Placement classes in addition to regular curriculum. My motivation and interest in my academic courses diminished and quickly turned into hostility and contempt towards the education system within the four years. Without a creative outlet I struggled more to focus on my academics (the boring stuff). The psychological effects of constant academic pressure also became evident among all of us. Depression, stress and mainly anxiety riddled through classrooms. Some of my friends dropped out of classes or dropped out all together because the effort required for these didn't yield fulfilling results. The big shining A on a piece of paper sent from the registrars to your parents didn't seem worth the all-nighters of studying and lost moments with loved ones and friends. I understand that the question was "How can creative WRITING benefit the classroom and assist students in learning about STEM-based subjects?", but I believe creative writing is only one of the many mediums that could be used. Our academic system needs to realize that balance between core subjects and creative subjects is essential. With only one and not the other we push young minds to the extreme. Our country needs educated individuals just as much as it needs innovators and artists. By shutting down creativity in schools, we limit the futures of countless individuals and in some instances we condemn them to failure. – sakurathegreat9 years ago
I hark back to Woolf's old line, "Fiction here is likely to contain more truth than fact." When we ask students to write critically, we are asking them to be researchers to "prove" a point—and this is fine in their attempts—however, now and then we as teachers in the profession should remember that, if we are in the humanities at any rate, it is in the creative process that "truth" finds its relief on the page, or strikes a reader. Any particular truth—this is one great thing about the literary essays of old, those by Woolf, Lamb, Montaigne, that they gathered up their materials in one pail and, depending how the sun shone that day, drew their lines about and pressed onto paper a personal experience, a personal view. Yes, one can be both creative and critical; and often I would say far more discerning and penetrating if one uses the faculty of imagination in the critical process. We in the humanities should know firsthand that truth comes in myriad forms; can never be held; is elusive as time is long. It is in the "moments" of imagination that now and then find the page that a critical point can be at its most effective. – travismckinney9 years ago
Hear hear!!! Western education has definitely become utilitarian over the last two decades. I grew up in the learning is fun movement and am saddened when I see how students of all ages have lost the idea that the learning process and how we learn can be a great experience. Of course the world is a competitive place and there is the survival of the fittest. Hopefully in education there can be good balance between being able to compete and being able to create. Unfortunately, I think that creativity is a luxury afforded in times of economic prosperity. Given the austerity measures worldwide it doesn't appear that creativity in education will make a comeback any time soon. Munjeera – Munjeera9 years ago
There are many guides on how to write, but the published story is not the art of the first draft. I would love to see someone write revision tips, but not the usual found in the web like "read aloud," "leave it for a few weeks" (Of course you can go that path too.), but their own unique editing style that other writers would find useful.
This is an interesting idea, though I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of tips are merely common ones that websites would suggest. Maybe it can be written in realtime, as if the person is actually going through a revision process and acting out what they are doing. That may be a fun way of allowing the readers to really see a "day in the life" scenario of someone revising a story. – Filippo9 years ago
Oh. Or someone who would review revision tips? LOL Like someone who does all the steps with a sample short story draft and then, he/she would work on editing through popular editing tips and would show the final product? Is that even possible? LOL – Jill9 years ago
Honestly, my revision style is just constant reading and rereading. I don't read aloud, though perhaps I should. I rely on my eyes to catch mistakes. Some mistakes slip through the cracks, but generally, after a few revisions, I have caught all the major ones. Another thing I do is take notes. For instance, if I name a character's childhood best friend Beatrice, I want to note that down and make sure that in the rest of the story I continue to refer to her as Beatrice. Writing out timelines to keep dates correct, ages right, and other timing consistent is also helpful when revising. The main mistakes I make (and many other authors make) is little inconsistencies in their first drafts, when they forget previous details while writing on. They forget timing, names, and other details. Revising is all about making these details consistent. – Robyn McComb9 years ago
We all at some point have read or watched a TV show, anime, book, or other form of media that has "jumped the shark." Discuss the phenomenon of jumping the shark and why it happens. Can shows actually turn out better because of these plot twists (can jumping the shark be a good thing)? Why are these moments often so enjoyable to watch?
Sorry, it deleted my edit: Jumping the Shark refers to a ridiculous plot twist or gimmick in a show designed to draw in more viewers. For more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_the_shark. – Connor Gregorich-Trevor9 years ago
I feel that jumping the shark happens out of desperation to keep the audience stimulated, whether it be for better or for worse. Personally, I haven't seen a case where a show turns out better due to this phenomenon. A show draws in its audience because of its writing and formula. Unless jumping the shark brings about a turn of events that pushes the plot of a show forward, then I don't think that it could ever be for the better. I think something really game changing has to happen in order for jumping the shark to be used as a positive tool for the success of any form of media. – seanstartrunning9 years ago
I actually never knew about this term before this topic. You could probably also mention in certain episodes when they make things look like the 1940's. I know they did it once in One Tree Hill, and another time in Pretty Little Liars, however, I didn't think either show was losing viewers? There should definitely be good examples for this article not just the one from Happy Days. Perhaps, adding more current examples could show why it's still a technique used today, and perhaps, if it shares the same purposes as before. – Jaye Freeland9 years ago
Quality, schmality! If I had a TV show, I'd run that sucker into the ground! Homer pats Bart on the back. "Amen, boy. Amen.'' -- Bart learns of the demise of `The Cosby Show' The Simpsons. Which has jumped the shark many times. – marinetti8 years ago
It has already been done. A lot. – T. Palomino2 years ago
Analyze the difference between the experience of reading a written play, such as Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" and experiencing it live in a theater. Pros and cons to either? Opinion on what is better
I'm unsure how this was processed with so little information given in the incredibly vague prompt that roughly mirrors an article recently written for this site. – JekoJeko9 years ago
Critically analyze how generations X and Y, how they were raised versus how generation Z is being raised today. Generations X and Y have been known to handle issues with a tougher outlook, such as getting spanked, while generation Z believes that spanking is child abuse. How has this changed the way our society is? Has the way these generations have been raised drawn an even thicker line to differentiate the generations? How has this impacted our society today as a whole?
I wouldn't say that the current generation is being more raised from technology and media rather than from their parents themselves. – Kevin Mohammed9 years ago
My biggest points 1) that I think the current generation is being exploited for financial gain by companies on a level that deeply impacts mental health (like social media and too much tech for young kids). 2) There is a big increase in mental health issues and how the generations respond to that will differ greatly. 3) Society is moving into a more liberal age and information is more easily shared, therefor political and sociopolitical views will differ greatly. – LaRose9 years ago
For the writer of this topic, some serious consideration as to how connect this to Writing/Another Category must be done. – MichelleAjodah9 years ago
For the writer of this article, there should be a serious reassessment of bias. This expresses bias to generation X and Y. I think you can relate this to popular children's literature... but then you'd have to move this topic to literature... – Jill9 years ago
This is out of the scope of The Artifice. – T. Palomino2 years ago
Different people prefer to write at different times of the day and night, and many believe that they write better or for longer during these hours. Explain if you think this belief is valid or not and if there is any particular part of the day you prefer to write in? Are you a early morning writer or do prefer to write in the afternoon? Are you an evening writer or do you write long into the night? What times do you write the most or the best? AM or PM, explain when and why you write the most then, and if you think writing at this time makes any difference.
I always find that I write best late at night. I don't know why, but come late afternoon/evening, I'm the most creatively inspired. I think some people just function differently and are stimulated in different ways, at different times. I think the author of this article might want to consider the psychological aspect of time/environment in creative inspiration, as that's probably the most fact-based perspective to take on this topic. – Christina9 years ago
You could also consider length of time in relation to time of day to see if there are any correlations - can you write for long sittings at night, but only short ones in the morning? – kathleensumpton9 years ago
I usually find myself writing better later at night. Consider exploring the relationship between the factors affecting creativity at different times of day. A factor that could affect one's creativity levels in the morning might be that in the morning they drink coffee, etc. – mfazeka9 years ago
Perhaps some statistics could be made with what people say from these notes. I often hear people write more/better at night, this may be linked to that period just before you fall asleep. You suddenly think of an amazing idea and you just have to make a note of it. This could be because that as you are preparing for sleep your brain becomes more relaxed and more creative ideas seem to flow better. Anyway, I always write between 12pm and 10pm. I don't like writing when I'm tired and I always have lunch/breakfast (depending on when I wake up...) before I start. – Jamie White9 years ago
This article sheds light on how fame or public recognition does not measure or define the quality of ones work or contribution to society. It’s a shame Gil Scott Heron was not more recognized for his work but your article and more articles of this nature will help his brilliance and talent live on. – arton30th9 years ago
I find that I write better at night, and that's just how I have always been. I've been an avid reader every since I was a child, and many times I spent the entire night reading under my covers. And I feel like because of this, it has caused me to like writing at night. That's just when I feel most creative because I think about a lot of things. I've always considered myself a night owl, so that makes a difference too. I definitely think that different people write at different times. Every person has to find creativity in their own way, and for some that means writing in the morning for others that means writing at night. – diehlsam9 years ago
Most writers might be aware of the tedious rules that are involved in writing, particularly when they intend to publish in the media. Generally these guidelines are relaxed in the entertainment value of publishing, though there are larger expectations when dealing with other major groups, such as scholarly journals and education platforms. The subject here pertains to the various formats designated to various organizations, and offers to investigate the reasons/causation for these different writing styles. It is suggested to review the details of what separates one format style from another, and what could it mean about their importance on the academic scale. An idea might also be to argue in favor for benefits to the formatting changes, or perhaps to dispute if a uniform format might serve best in the academic world. What is your contribution to the format standardization in writing?
Remember not to discuss the topic itself, but to provide ideas for fixing, expanding or clarifying the topic for others! – N.D. Storlid9 years ago
We can always use another voice on this topic! I think a focus on the purpose of it all would be very helpful for people. – Ian Boucher9 years ago
