Puzzle Pieces

The sides of the brain are like puzzle pieces.  They work better when they go together.  Even for those who are dominantly right or left brain, the other side is part of who they are.  At first look, it may appear the puzzle consists of only two pieces that look like this:

In reality, the complexity of both sides of the brain creates a puzzle most difficult to solve.  And yet, it works together in harmony without conscious thought most of the time.  That’s one reason the brain is often compared to a computer.  Most of us use our computer without every thinking about how it works.  If you do know about computers, you know it is a process, often a complicated one, that makes everything work together.  Just like the brain, when something goes wrong, it can affect the whole thing.

How does that apply to our writing?

A Spherical puzzle with only few pieces in it (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Usually, writers just write.  The words come to us, sometimes with a little tugging, we write them down, fix the mistakes, publish, and move on to the next project.  But, occasionally, things go wrong.  Writers block is but one example of things that can go wrong in our writing world.  Burnout, frustrations with understanding others’ specs, and more play into our writing.

–Some of us have a good grasp of grammar.  Some do not.

–Some of us are so focused on grammar we become nazis about it.  Others do not.

–Some of us like to write at night.  Some like to write in the morning.

–Some need complete quiet.  Others can work with a marching band going through the room.

Puzzle Krypt (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We’re all different.  But understanding how our individual brain works and doesn’t work can help us become better writers.  When a piece of our puzzle doesn’t work well or fit in with what’s needed, we can ask others to help us or learn how to do it a different way.  Suppose I know grammar is an issue, I can use the tools at hand (friend, grammar sites, software,…) to make sure my posts/articles don’t go out a mess.  {Sorry to use that for an example so often 🙂 }  Another way we can find help with things that we lack is through a mentor.  If you don’t know how to do research, you would seek out someone who does and learn from him or her.

 

 

What’s one writing task you know you do well?

A young girl completing a jigsaw puzzle, with other finished puzzles around her. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do you use it to help other writers who lack in this area? Why/Why not?

What’s one writing task you know you do not do well?

Do you seek help to either learn or have someone help you in this area?  Why/Why not?

Not every writer is going to be in tune to his or her inner workings, and may see no need.  But those that head the pack tend to be more aware.  They also tend to be givers, reaching to help others, and unafraid to ask for help.  Agree?  Disagree?

Related articles

• Handling writer’s block (writingwithbothsidesofmybrain.wordpress.com)
• Right (write) Brain vs. Left Brain (smpauthors.wordpress.com)
• Spelling in not my Strong Point (enhancethehumanexperience.wordpress.com)

• Posted in: Writing
• Tagged: Arts, grammar, Lateralization of brain function, Puzzle, Writers Resources, writing