The Psychology of Writing

Books are not just words that are printed down on some pretty paper with an eye-catching cover and intriguing cover. we don't love books because we sit back in our comfiest chair with a warm cup of tea and think to ourselves, "You know that was a good plot progression with great character development." (Well maybe some of us do.) 

What we really think about is the emotions that the books have given us, the books that have made us laugh, and filled us with scenes of wonder and imagination, and those that have brought us to tears are the ones we hold on to and live in a special place in our heart.

Whenever I read an e-book that has moved me in such a way I add it to my list of physical books to buy if I come across them just because they have become like a dear friend to me. 

Psychology and writing go hand and hand in numerous ways, but today we're going to explore how to use the connection between psychology and writing to provide you with strategies to tap into emotions and enhance your storytelling. 

Embrace Emotional Awareness

You feel emotions all of the time, but when is the last time you embraced what you were feeling? Most of us are taught to hold in our emotions, don't make a scene, don't overreact, don't show weakness. 

This is the exact opposite of what you need from your characters. If there was a situation in your life when you wanted to speak out, but were made to hold your tongue, you felt - what? Frustrated? Angry? Did you feel as if you were going to cry or did you want to lash out and hit something?

Writing is not the time to hold back, let your characters feel everything you would if you were in their shoes, or give them the strength to be the exact opposite. 

Use Emotions as Creative Fuel

Your emotions are your number one powerful source of inspiration. Whether you are experiencing happiness, anger, fear, or sadness, each emotion can be used to give your writing depth and authenticity. Tap into your own emotions to give them to your reader. I gave the example the other day of not having to be a Princess, running from an arranged marriage to understand the pressures of being a teenage girl not wanting to conform to what her parents wanted her to be.  

Channel Negative Emotions into Productivity

We all have bad days and as writers this can lead to frustrations, self-doubt, and the dreaded writer's block can stop your story in its tracks. However, we can use this instead of letting it overwhelm us and cause us to spiral. Transform these emotions into catalysts for productivity. 

Embrace your emotions, but take it as a sign that you may need to make some adjustments in your writing. 

Take a step back, and try to figure out what it is that is making you feel the way you are. Are you frustrated because you don't have the time to write or are you feeling self-doubt because those around you aren't giving your writing time the respect it deserves? 

Take a moment to let the tension out, this can be some activity other than writing, but journaling may be your best course of action. When you're feeling a bit clearer give yourself a few moments to think of solutions to your problems instead of believing they are unfixable. As long as you are willing to write, there is nothing you can't come back from. 

Practice Emotional Catharsis

Or as it is also known - brain dump. 

Go out to the store or dig through your notebook collection and pick out the notebook you have been saving for a special occasion. This is your special occasion, not because you're about to write the world's next bestseller, but because you are going to put yourself into the notebook piece by piece.

And then destroy it. 

There's no time for pretty writing or special pens. Grab that one you got for free when you opened up a checking account or made a donation to some charity and let yourself go. 

Write.

Write raw and unfiltered drafts without hesitation, without looking for the perfect words, and without self-censorship. Nobody is going to read this. Maybe you won't even read this. Just let yourself flow onto the page in any way you need to and then close it up and set it somewhere safe, unopened, and unseen until you need it again. 

Cultivate a Positive Writing Mindset

Never sit down to write not believing that you can. If you don't think you can, you won't. It really is that simple. I don't want to sound too preachy here but embrace a mindset that views setbacks, failures, and rejections as opportunities for growth, learning, and self-improvement. Surround yourself with the writing community, it really is amazing the support other writers give to writers and I wouldn't still be writing today without that support behind me because I didn't get it from my own family. 

Celebrate all successes, big or small. 

Practice Self-Reflection and Self-Care

Self-care is as important in writing as it is in your everyday life. As writers, we build these worlds that sometimes have horrific things happen to our characters and we would be wrong to think that these things don't affect us somewhere deep down. My protagonist at the moment goes through a horrible ordeal that would be one of my worst nightmares and writing those scenes leave me feeling out of sorts for a while so I make sure I have a self-care routine ready for when I need it. Favorite books, favorite songs, my softest blanket for when I want to just lay down and process it, and my cat, even though her participation is sometimes unwilling. (Her fur honestly should be 90% tears right now.) 

 It's important to care for yourself body and mind because you need both of those things to write. Give your hands a break, don't strain your eyes by staring at the screen too long, and give your brain some self-care with a healthy mindset. 

____________________________________________________

You are an amazing writer and though I can't promise you are going to write the world's next bestseller - I can promise that you are going to write something fantastic that only you can.

So go out and write it. 

With love, 

B.K. xo ox

____________________________________________________

*If you've liked what you read you can show your support by subscribing, pledging your support, or leaving me a tip that directly supports and aids me as a writer.

By joining Vocal+ you can earn more per read on every story you publish on Vocal.

Click my link to start your 7-day free trial today and start earning more for your stories.

_____________________________________________

This story was originally posted on Medium.