Good writing isn’t an art — it’s a science.
We think in story and rely on story for problem solving. Stories trigger the brain as if we are there. Predictions help us survive – fill our needs – food, shelter and clothing. Humans have an external metric that we’ve created from our subjective reality and experiences we’ve gone through.
The human brain is made of different structures, performing different functions. The part of our brain we associate with higher thinking is called the cerebral cortex. In evolutionary terms, this is the newest part of our brain and is the seat of what we normally call consciousness.
The limbic system makes our decisions and is where emotions are generated. Sometimes referred to as the reptilian brain is It happens 200 times faster than our conscious mind.
Misbeliefs
When writing, focus on the protagonist’s misbeliefs and Aha moments. Misbeliefs are what drive the protagonist to make all the wrong decisions, leading to the tension that keeps the reader riveted.
Engage the senses
Show don’t tell. Don’t tell the reader that the moon is shining; show a glint of light on broken glass. These are concrete sensory details that mimic the experience of actually being in a scene. The effects speak the language of the limbic brain. In other words, it produces an emotional response in the reader.
We all have needs
Remember that we’re all human beings with common wants and needs. The basic and more evolved needs.
- Physical needs (food, water, sleep, air, protection from injury and harm)
- Safety needs (personal security, financial security, health and well-being)
- Emotional needs (love, affection, family, belonging)
- Esteem (self-respect, status, power, freedom, approval, fitting in)
- Self-actualization and Transcendence (meeting our potential, spiritual awakening, concern with welfare of community, human rights, the environment)
Unleash the novel inside you
with compelling characters,
intricate worlds,
and fine-tuned prose.
“Linda has published twenty books. She blogs about the publishing world, posts useful tips on the challenges a writer faces, including marketing and promoting your work, how to build your online platform, how to get reviews and how to self-publish. She has mentored many authors and edited their work.”
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