how creative writing affects society

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Writing Influences Society by Changing the Ways That People Think

An interview with professor daniel lanza rivers.

ILLUMINATION

In this interview, Daniel Lanza Rivers discusses storytelling, writing, and creativity and how they influence us as individuals and as a society.

My name is Daniel Lanza Rivers (though I go by Dan). I’m an Assistant Professor of American Studies and literature at San José State University, where I teach courses in U.S. literature, cultural studies, animal studies, and environmental humanities. I also direct SJSU’s Martha Heasley Cox Center for Steinbeck Studies. I’m currently at work on a book project called Life Outside: Settler Ecologies and the Speculations of Place, which explores the ways that U.S. settlers’ ideas about California’s “natural” state have shaped the management of its environments and people, as well as the shape of its literature, since colonization. The book uses California as a case study to explore the cultural and environmental speculations of empire, as well as empire’s relationship with the rise of extractive industry, and extractive industries’ increasingly precarious relationships with the regional environments they dominate. I write in multiple genres, including creative nonfiction/memoir, fiction, and scholarship. My writing has appeared in Joyland, Apogee, American Quarterly, Journal of Transnational …

Written by Joe Thomas

EV traveler, writer, futurist. Author of The Wealth of the Planet, While We Were Charging, and Martian Economics --> https://a.co/d/3z6f4CC

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Greater Good Science Center • Magazine • In Action • In Education

How Creative Writing Can Increase Students’ Resilience

Many of my seventh-grade students do not arrive at school ready to learn. Their families often face financial hardship and live in cramped quarters, which makes it difficult to focus on homework. The responsibility for cooking and taking care of younger siblings while parents work often falls on these twelve year olds’ small shoulders. Domestic violence and abuse are also not uncommon.

To help traumatized students overcome their personal and academic challenges, one of our first jobs as teachers is to build a sense of community. We need to communicate that we care and that we welcome them into the classroom just as they are. One of the best ways I’ve found to connect with my students, while also nurturing their reading and writing skills, is through creative writing.

For the past three years, I’ve invited students in my English Language Development (ELD) classes to observe their thoughts, sit with their emotions, and offer themselves and each other compassion through writing and sharing about their struggles. Creating a safe, respectful environment in which students’ stories matter invites the disengaged, the hopeless, and the numb to open up. Students realize that nobody is perfect and nobody’s life is perfect. In this kind of classroom community, they can take the necessary risks in order to learn, and they become more resilient when they stumble.

Fostering a growth mindset

One of the ways students can boost their academic performance and develop resilience is by building a growth mindset. Carol Dweck, Stanford University professor of psychology and author of the book Mindset , explains that people with a growth mindset focus on learning from mistakes and welcoming challenges rather than thinking they’re doomed to be dumb or unskillful. A growth mindset goes hand in hand with self-compassion: recognizing that everyone struggles and treating ourselves with kindness when we trip up.

One exercise I find very useful is to have students write a story about a time when they persevered when faced with a challenge—in class, sports, or a relationship. Some of the themes students explore include finally solving math problems, learning how to defend themselves, or having difficult conversations with parents.

I primed the pump by telling my students about something I struggled with—feeling left behind in staff meetings as my colleagues clicked their way through various computer applications. I confided that PowerPoint and Google Slides—tools (one might assume) that any teacher worth a paperweight has mastered—still eluded me. By admitting my deficiency to my students, asking for their help, and choosing to see the opportunity to remedy it every day in the classroom, I aimed to level the playing field with them. They may have been reading three or four grade levels behind, but they could slap a PowerPoint presentation together in their sleep.

For students, sharing their own stories of bravery, resilience, and determination brings these qualities to the forefront of their minds and helps solidify the belief that underlies a growth mindset: I can improve and grow . We know from research in neuroplasticity that when students take baby steps to achieve a goal and take pride in their accomplishments, they change their brains, growing new neural networks and fortifying existing ones. Neurons in the brain release the feel-good chemical dopamine, which plays a major role in motivating behavior toward rewards.

After writing about a few different personal topics, students choose one they want to publish on the bulletin boards at the back of the classroom. They learn to include the juicy details of their stories (who, what, when, where, why, and how), and they get help from their peers, who ask follow-up questions to prompt them to include more information. This peer editing builds their resilience in more ways than one—they make connections with each other by learning about each other’s lives, and they feel empowered by lending a hand.

In my experience, students are motivated to do this assignment because it helps them feel that their personal stories and emotions truly matter, despite how their other academics are going. One student named Alejandro chose to reflect on basketball and the persistence and time it took him to learn:

Hoops By Alejandro Gonzalez Being good takes time. One time my sister took me to a park and I saw people playing basketball. I noticed how good they were and decided I wanted to be like them. Still I told my sister that basketball looked hard and that I thought I couldn’t do it. She said,“You could do it if you tried. You’ll get the hang of it.” My dad bought me a backboard and hoop to play with. I was really happy, but the ball wasn’t making it in. Every time I got home from school, I would go straight to the backyard to play. I did that almost every day until little by little I was getting the hang of it. I also played with my friends. Every day after lunch we would meet at the basketball court to have a game. … I learned that you need to be patient and to practice a lot to get the hang of things. With a little bit of practice, patience, and hard work, anything is possible.

Originally, Alejandro wasn’t sure why he was in school and often lacked the motivation to learn. But writing about something he was passionate about and recalling the steps that led to his success reminded him of the determination and perseverance he had demonstrated in the past, nurturing a positive view of himself. It gave him a renewed sense of investment in learning English and eventually helped him succeed in his ELD class, as well.

Maintaining a hopeful outlook

Another way to build resilience in the face of external challenges is to shore up our inner reserves of hope —and I’ve found that poetry can serve as inspiration for this.

For the writing portion of the lesson, I invite students to “get inside” poems by replicating the underlying structure and trying their hand at writing their own verses. I create poem templates, where students fill in relevant blanks with their own ideas. 

One poem I like to share is “So Much Happiness” by Naomi Shihab Nye. Its lines “Even the fact that you once lived in a peaceful tree house / and now live over a quarry of noise and dust / cannot make you unhappy” remind us that, despite the unpleasant events that occur in our lives, it’s our choice whether to allow them to interfere with our happiness. The speaker, who “love[s] even the floor which needs to be swept, the soiled linens, and scratched records,” has a persistently sunny outlook.

It’s unrealistic for students who hear gunshots at night to be bubbling over with happiness the next morning. Still, the routine of the school day and the sense of community—jokes with friends, a shared bag of hot chips for breakfast, and a creative outlet—do bolster these kids. They have an unmistakable drive to keep going, a life force that may even burn brighter because they take nothing for granted—not even the breath in their bodies, life itself. 

Itzayana was one of those students who, due to the adversity in her life, seemed too old for her years. She rarely smiled and started the school year with a defiant approach to me and school in general, cursing frequently in the classroom. Itzayana’s version of “So Much Happiness” hinted at some of the challenges I had suspected she had in her home life:

It is difficult to know what to do with so much happiness. Even the fact that you once heard your family laughing and now hear them yelling at each other cannot make you unhappy. Everything has a life of its own, it too could wake up filled with possibilities of tamales and horchata and love even scrubbing the floor, washing dishes, and cleaning your room. Since there is no place large enough to contain so much happiness, help people in need, help your family, and take care of yourself.   —Itzayana C.

Her ending lines, “Since there is no place large enough to contain so much happiness, / help people in need, help your family, and take care of yourself,” showed her growing awareness of the need for self-care as she continued to support her family and others around her. This is a clear sign of her developing resilience.

Poetry is packed with emotion, and writing their own poems allows students to grapple with their own often-turbulent inner lives. One student commented on the process, saying, “By writing poems, I’ve learned to be calm and patient, especially when I get mad about something dumb.” Another student showed pride in having her writing published; she reflected, “I feel good because other kids can use it for calming down when they’re angry.”

To ease students into the creative process, sometimes we also write poems together as a class. We brainstorm lines to include, inviting the silly as well as the poignant and creating something that represents our community.

Practicing kindness

Besides offering my students new ways of thinking about themselves, I also invite them to take kind actions toward themselves and others.

In the music video for “Give a Little Love” by Noah and the Whale, one young African American boy—who witnesses bullying at school and neglect in his neighborhood —decides to take positive action and whitewash a wall of graffiti. Throughout the video, people witness others’ random acts of kindness, and then go on to do their own bit.

“My love is my whole being / And I’ve shared what I could,” the lyrics say—a reminder that our actions speak louder than our words and do have an incredible impact. The final refrain in the song—“Well if you are (what you love) / And you do (what you love) /...What you share with the world is what it keeps of you”—urges the students to contribute in a positive way to the classroom, the school campus, and their larger community.

After watching the video, I ask students to reflect upon what kind of community they would like to be part of and what makes them feel safe at school. They write their answers—for example, not being laughed at by their peers and being listened to—on Post-it notes. These notes are used to create classroom rules. This activity sends a message early on that we are co-creating our communal experience together. Students also write their own versions of the lyrics, reflecting on different things you can give and receive—like kindness, peace, love, and ice cream.

Reaping the benefits

To see how creative writing impacts students, I invite them to rate their resilience through a self-compassion survey at the start of the school year and again in the spring. Last year, two-thirds of students surveyed increased in self-compassion; Alejandro grew his self-compassion by 20 percent. The program seems to work at developing their reading and writing skills, as well: At the middle of the school year, 40 percent of my students moved up to the next level of ELD, compared to 20 percent the previous year. 

As a teacher, my goal is to meet students where they’re at and learn about their whole lives. Through creative writing activities, we create a community of compassionate and expressive learners who bear witness to the impact of trauma in each others’ experiences and together build resilience.

As a symbol of community and strength, I had a poster in my classroom of a boat at sea with hundreds of refugees standing shoulder to shoulder looking skyward. It’s a hauntingly beautiful image of our ability to risk it all for a better life, as many of my ELD students do. Recognizing our common humanity and being able to share about our struggles not only leads to some beautiful writing, but also some brave hearts.

About the Author

Laura Bean, M.F.A. , executive director of Mindful Literacy, consults with school communities to implement mindfulness and creative writing programs. She has an M.F.A. in Creative Writing and presented a mindful writing workshop at Bridging the Hearts and Minds of Youth Conference in San Diego in 2016.

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How Creative Writing Has Changed the World for the Better

by Adam Oakley | Aug 3, 2015 | Storytelling

From Chaucer to Rowling, creative writing has often been the boon to our stressful, busy world.

It started as a way to maintain folklore tradition and tell us tales of knights in shining armor who brought whole countries together ( King Arthur ).

“Excalibur! Forged when the world was young, and bird and beast and flower were one with man…”  Excalibur (1981)

But creative writing has now become an absolutely powerful force for good. We see the wisdom of Gandalf and Baggins ( Lord of the Rings )…

“You asked me to find the fourteenth member of this company and I have chosen Mr. Baggins.”

…The humor of Bridget Jones, and the horror that only Stephen King ( The Shining) can produce.

Whether you read or write a high fantasy novel or an epic crime drama, there will be an amazing impact. Creative writers of all types have brought about amazing results for the world and all they did was grab the nearest pen, typewriter, or computer and got down to writing.

I want to take a look at just how powerful creative writing has been for our society and just how it has changed the world for the better.

7 Amazing Instances of Creative Writing Impacting the World

Creative writing has been a huge part of making the world a better place. Here are some awesome instances of just how powerful it is.

1. It Captured Oral Tradition Giving Us Amazing Stories to Look Back At. When you think of creative writing, one of the first things many think of is the stories of the Brothers Grimm. They are dark and full of terrors, but those stories are also incredible for many reasons.

One reason these stories are so immensely powerful isn’t just because they provided us with great fairy tales that influenced our popular films, but they also captured history.

The Brothers Grimm traveled around, learning some of the popular folklore that was told in one way and one way only – orally. We all know how much impact those stories had (just look at all the Disney films we have).

Preserved in time by the talents of a pen…

What would have happened if the Brothers Grimm hadn’t stored these stories? What would the world look like now? What a fascinating, and slightly terrifying thought to think. By writing down these creative folk stories, the Brothers Grimm opened a whole new world of creative possibility.

 2.  Creative Writing Has Shown Immense Power in Physical Health. When the Brothers Grimm popularized creative literature, they probably didn’t realize what this would mean for the world.

A huge impact that all creative writing has had, no matter its age, genre, or format, is that of improving physical and mental health. There are so many amazing health benefits when you read creative literature, and that is a pretty awesome impact if you ask me.

When you write creatively , you can see some health benefits such as the ability to improve your memory and have a great format to release pent up emotions.

Reading creative literature also gives you immense health benefits including better cognition, relieving stress, and helping you sleep. That’s right, if you have a hard time sleeping, reading a good book might just be what you need.

The great thing about this is that creative writing and literature doesn’t have to be one type of thing – it can be anything. It can be a comic book, a science fiction novel, the latest study, or a great nonfiction book.

3. A Simple Novella Can be a Letter to a Loved One. Another way that creative writing has made the world a better place is actually something rather small. But, as well all know, those small things add up to something major in the end.

Neil Gaiman is an amazing author with an impressive range of works including The Ocean at the End of the Lane . While this seems like a jaunt into urban fantasy, there is something much deeper. This story started out as a simple, small letter to his soon-to-be-wife, Amanda Palmer.

He wanted to make sure she knew things about him, and he wanted to share his life with her, and creative writing was what helped him achieve this. It ended up turning into an absolutely gorgeous novella, but his small action was something Amanda greatly appreciated.

It might not have made a worldwide impact, but a small gesture through creative writing can change someone’s world for the better. And Amanda experienced something that many of us would absolutely enjoy.

4. Creative Writing Might Send You to San Francisco with Flowers in Your Hair. When you look at the world of creative writing, there are so many facets. There are books, ad campaigns, music, and more.

The 1960s and 1970s were a powerful decade when it came to moving and emotional creative writing. The United States was at war with Viet Nam, with protestors calling for peace. America and the entire world were also on the cusp of major social change.

And music and creative writing had an important role to play.

We had songs about peace, encouraging people to avoid war and work together to meet a resolution without the shedding of blood. People marched singing these songs, hung around in large groups with these songs, and many were backdrops to some of the most intense and saddest moments in American history.

Not only did we have songs about peace, but we also had songs about racial problems around the world but specifically in America. We had books such as To Kill a Mockingbird that highlighted these problems and a speech no one will ever forget :

“I have a dream…”

5. Fiction and Creative Writing Help Create Literate Children and Adults. I’ll admit, when it comes to creative writing and literature, my go-to author is Neil Gaiman. He has great wisdom about creative writing and its importance and he often illustrates that importance himself.

In an article for The Guardian , Neil talks about the importance of creative writing, specifically that of fiction. He points out how fiction can improve someone’s life, no matter if they are reading to escape, learn, or have fun.

He believes, and rightly so, that with literature, we open the door to a healthy society as well as a more literate culture. Did you know that New York City gauged the prison growth rate off of the amount of 10 and 11-year-olds that couldn’t read?

Now, what does that say about the need for literacy? Quite a bit.

While Neil does point out that a literate society does not equal a crime-free one, there is an immense impact of literature, bettering the world.

Creative writing and reading gives people the chance to formulate their opinions and to learn about other views. There are many things a person can learn just by reading and fiction has long had an amazing impact on many readers.

6. Creative Writing Provides Powerful Ads that Cannot Be Ignored. Powerful creativity isn’t just something you see in books and music but is also amazingly powerful in the ad world.

On September 11th, 2001, America saw one of the worst terrorist attacks on their soil and the world felt the immense grief radiating out from New York City, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania. People everywhere were making tributes to the fallen on that day, and there was one particular ad that brought everyone to tears.

Budweiser paid a gorgeous tribute to those who died that day with a Super Bowl ad that only ran for a brief time.

The lovely America, captured in the Budweiser 9/11 tribute ad.

Advertising has done more than just paying tribute; they’ve raised awareness for issues, focused on social change , and worked to bring people together.

One such ad is a Spanish advertisement that only children could fully see . It sent out a message that if a child was being abused, he or she could reach out.

This was met with a fanfare of those who thought it was great and criticism from those who didn’t know if it would work. Regardless, it was still a great, powerful ad.

7. A Simple Children’s Story Can be Immensely Complex. What do I mean with those contradicting words? Easy – Harry Potter, when looked at on the surface, is a simple children’s story, it has all the elements.

The talents of J.K. Rowling.

However, it is also immensely complex. Rowling dealt with many issues that children’s literature often didn’t, which could be a major reason why so many adults read it.

This series impacted the world amazingly by giving people something positive in a dark time. And it also brought about something great – literacy.

It inspired so many children to read, especially those who weren’t big readers. It brought about a love for reading, which really did impact the world for the better.

In addition, a 2003 article from the University of North Texas pointed out that it also helped create discussion between children and adults.

Never Be Afraid to Read and Write What You Want

Creative writing really has had an immense impact on the world, changing it for the better, hasn’t it? No matter what it is you are reading or writing, know that it is exactly what you need.

It might get you through a hard time in your life, encourage you to try new things, and if you’re a business owner, help you bring in new clients.

Creative writing is just another thing Express Writers offers, and our team can help you get something epic and creative that people will definitely enjoy.

Photo credits: The Telegraph (King Arthur), John Howe (Lord of the Rings), Goodreads (book cover, Grimm), Marshall.edu (Harry Potter book cover)

Download your Free copy of How Creative Writing Has Changed the World for the Better

The science behind creativity

Psychologists and neuroscientists are exploring where creativity comes from and how to increase your own

Vol. 53 No. 3 Print version: page 40

• Neuropsychology
• Creativity and Innovation

Paul Seli, PhD, is falling asleep. As he nods off, a sleep-tracking glove called Dormio, developed by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, detects his nascent sleep state and jars him awake. Pulled back from the brink, he jots down the artistic ideas that came to him during those semilucid moments.

Seli is an assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience at the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences and also an artist. He uses Dormio to tap into the world of hypnagogia, the transitional state that exists at the boundary between wakefulness and sleep. In a mini-experiment, he created a series of paintings inspired by ideas plucked from his hypnagogic state and another series from ideas that came to him during waking hours. Then he asked friends to rate how creative the paintings were, without telling them which were which. They judged the hypnagogic paintings as significantly more creative. “In dream states, we seem to be able to link things together that we normally wouldn’t connect,” Seli said. “It’s like there’s an artist in my brain that I get to know through hypnagogia.”

The experiment is one of many novel—and, yes, creative—ways that psychologists are studying the science of creativity. At an individual level, creativity can lead to personal fulfillment and positive academic and professional outcomes, and even be therapeutic. People take pleasure in creative thoughts, research suggests—even if they don’t think of themselves as especially creative. Beyond those individual benefits, creativity is an endeavor with implications for society, said Jonathan Schooler, PhD, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara. “Creativity is at the core of innovation. We rely on innovation for advancing humanity, as well as for pleasure and entertainment,” he said. “Creativity underlies so much of what humans value.”

In 1950, J. P. Guilford, PhD, then president of APA, laid out his vision for the psychological study of creativity ( American Psychologist , Vol. 5, No. 9, 1950). For half a century, researchers added to the scientific understanding of creativity incrementally, said John Kounios, PhD, an experimental psychologist who studies creativity and insight at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Much of that research focused on the personality traits linked to creativity and the cognitive aspects of the creative process.

But in the 21st century, the field has blossomed thanks to new advances in neuroimaging. “It’s become a tsunami of people studying creativity,” Kounios said. Psychologists and neuroscientists are uncovering new details about what it means to be creative and how to nurture that skill. “Creativity is of incredible real-world value,” Kounios said. “The ultimate goal is to figure out how to enhance it in a systematic way.”

Streaming Audio

Creativity in the brain.

What, exactly, is creativity? The standard definition used by researchers characterizes creative ideas as those that are original and effective, as described by psychologist Mark A. Runco, PhD, director of creativity research and programming at Southern Oregon University ( Creativity Research Journal , Vol. 24, No. 1, 2012). But effectiveness, also called utility, is a slippery concept. Is a poem useful? What makes a sculpture effective? “Most researchers use some form of this definition, but most of us are also dissatisfied with it,” Kounios said.

Runco is working on an updated definition and has considered at least a dozen suggestions from colleagues for new components to consider. One frequently suggested feature is authenticity. “Creativity involves an honest expression,” he said.

Meanwhile, scientists are also struggling with the best way to measure the concept. As a marker of creativity, researchers often measure divergent thinking—the ability to generate a lot of possible solutions to a problem or question. The standard test of divergent thinking came from Guilford himself. Known as the alternate-uses test, the task asks participants to come up with novel uses for a common object such as a brick. But measures of divergent thinking haven’t been found to correlate well with real-world creativity. Does coming up with new uses for a brick imply a person will be good at abstract art or composing music or devising new methods for studying the brain? “It strikes me as using way too broad a brush,” Seli said. “I don’t think we measure creativity in the standard way that people think about creativity. As researchers, we need to be very clear about what we mean.”

One way to do that may be to move away from defining creativity based on a person’s creative output and focus instead on what’s going on in the brain, said Adam Green, PhD, a cognitive neuroscientist at Georgetown University and founder of the Society for the Neuroscience of Creativity . “The standard definition, that creativity is novel and useful, is a description of a product,” he noted. “By looking inward, we can see the process in action and start to identify the characteristics of creative thought. Neuroimaging is helping to shift the focus from creative product to creative process.”

That process seems to involve the coupling of disparate brain regions. Specifically, creativity often involves coordination between the cognitive control network, which is involved in executive functions such as planning and problem-solving, and the default mode network, which is most active during mind-wandering or daydreaming (Beaty, R. E., et al., Cerebral Cortex , Vol. 31, No. 10, 2021). The cooperation of those networks may be a unique feature of creativity, Green said. “These two systems are usually antagonistic. They rarely work together, but creativity seems to be one instance where they do.”

Green has also found evidence that an area called the frontopolar cortex, in the brain’s frontal lobes, is associated with creative thinking. And stimulating the area seems to boost creative abilities. He and his colleagues used transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to stimulate the frontopolar cortex of participants as they tried to come up with novel analogies. Stimulating the area led participants to make analogies that were more semantically distant from one another—in other words, more creative ( Cerebral Cortex , Vol. 27, No. 4, 2017).

Green’s work suggests that targeting specific areas in the brain, either with neuromodulation or cognitive interventions, could enhance creativity. Yet no one is suggesting that a single brain region, or even a single neural network, is responsible for creative thought. “Creativity is not one system but many different mechanisms that, under ideal circumstances, work together in a seamless way,” Kounios said.

In search of the eureka moment

Creativity looks different from person to person. And even within one brain, there are different routes to a creative spark, Kounios explained. One involves what cognitive scientists call “System 1” (also called “Type 1”) processes: quick, unconscious thoughts—aha moments—that burst into consciousness. A second route involves “System 2” processes: thinking that is slow, deliberate, and conscious. “Creativity can use one or the other or a combination of the two,” he said. “You might use Type 1 thinking to generate ideas and Type 2 to critique and refine them.”

Which pathway a person uses might depend, in part, on their expertise. Kounios and his colleagues used electroencephalography (EEG) to examine what was happening in jazz musicians’ brains as they improvised on the piano. Then skilled jazz instructors rated those improvisations for creativity, and the researchers compared each musician’s most creative compositions. They found that for highly experienced musicians, the mechanisms used to generate creative ideas were largely automatic and unconscious, and they came from the left posterior part of the brain. Less-experienced pianists drew on more analytical, deliberative brain processes in the right frontal region to devise creative melodies, as Kounios and colleagues described in a special issue of NeuroImage on the neuroscience of creativity (Vol. 213, 2020). “It seems there are at least two pathways to get from where you are to a creative idea,” he said.

Coming up with an idea is only one part of the creative process. A painter needs to translate their vision to canvas. An inventor has to tinker with their concept to make a prototype that actually works. Still, the aha moment is an undeniably important component of the creative process. And science is beginning to illuminate those “lightbulb moments.”

Kounios examined the relationship between creative insight and the brain’s reward system by asking participants to solve anagrams in the lab. In people who were highly sensitive to rewards, a creative insight led to a burst of brain activity in the orbitofrontal cortex, the area of the brain that responds to basic pleasures like delicious food or addictive drugs ( NeuroImage , Vol. 214, 2020). That neural reward may explain, from an evolutionary standpoint, why humans seem driven to create, he said. “We seem wired to take pleasure in creative thoughts. There are neural rewards for thinking in a creative fashion, and that may be adaptive for our species.”

The rush you get from an aha moment might also signal that you’re onto something good, Schooler said. He and his colleagues studied these flashes of insight among creative writers and physicists. They surveyed the participants daily for two weeks, asking them to note their creative ideas and when they occurred. Participants reported that about a fifth of the most important ideas of the day happened when they were mind-wandering and not working on a task at hand ( Psychological Science , Vol. 30, No. 3, 2019). “These solutions were more likely to be associated with an aha moment and often overcoming an impasse of some sort,” Schooler said.

Six months later, the participants revisited those ideas and rated them for creative importance. This time, they rated their previous ideas as creative, but less important than they’d initially thought. That suggests that the spark of a eureka moment may not be a reliable clue that an idea has legs. “It seems like the aha experience may be a visceral marker of an important idea. But the aha experience can also inflate the meaningfulness of an idea that doesn’t have merit,” Schooler said. “We have to be careful of false ahas.”

Boosting your creativity

Much of the research in this realm has focused on creativity as a trait. Indeed, some people are naturally more creative than others. Creative individuals are more likely than others to possess the personality trait of openness. “Across different age groups, the best predictor of creativity is openness to new experiences,” said Anna Abraham, PhD, the E. Paul Torrance Professor and director of the Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development at the University of Georgia. “Creative people have the kind of curiosity that draws them toward learning new things and experiencing the world in new ways,” she said.

We can’t all be Thomas Edison or Maya Angelou. But creativity is also a state, and anyone can push themselves to be more creative. “Creativity is human capacity, and there’s always room for growth,” Runco said. A tolerant environment is often a necessary ingredient, he added. “Tolerant societies allow individuals to express themselves and explore new things. And as a parent or a teacher, you can model that creativity is valued and be open-minded when your child gives an answer you didn’t expect.”

One way to let your own creativity flow may be by tapping into your untethered mind. Seli is attempting to do so through his studies on hypnagogia. After pilot testing the idea on himself, he’s now working on a study that uses the sleep-tracking glove to explore creativity in a group of Duke undergrads. “In dream states, there seems to be connectivity between disparate ideas. You tend to link things together you normally wouldn’t, and this should lead to novel outcomes,” he said. “Neurally speaking, the idea is to increase connectivity between different areas of the brain.”

You don’t have to be asleep to forge those creative connections. Mind-wandering can also let the ideas flow. “Letting yourself daydream with a purpose, on a regular basis, might allow brain networks that don’t usually cooperate to literally form stronger connections,” Green said.

However, not all types of daydreams will get you there. Schooler found that people who engage in more personally meaningful daydreams (such as fantasizing about a future vacation or career change) report greater artistic achievement and more daily inspiration. People who are prone to fantastical daydreaming (such as inventing alternate realities or imaginary worlds) produced higher-quality creative writing in the lab and reported more daily creative behavior. But daydreams devoted to planning or problem-solving were not associated with creative behaviors ( Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts , Vol. 15, No. 4, 2021).

It’s not just what you think about when you daydream, but where you are when you do it. Some research suggests spending time in nature can enhance creativity. That may be because of the natural world’s ability to restore attention, or perhaps it’s due to the tendency to let your mind wander when you’re in the great outdoors (Williams, K. J. H., et al., Journal of Environmental Psychology , Vol. 59, 2018). “A lot of creative figures go on walks in big, expansive environments. In a large space, your perceptual attention expands and your scope of thought also expands,” Kounios said. “That’s why working in a cubicle is bad for creativity. But working near a window can help.”

Wherever you choose to do it, fostering creativity requires time and effort. “People want the booster shot for creativity. But creativity isn’t something that comes magically. It’s a skill, and as with any new skill, the more you practice, the better you get,” Abraham said. In a not-yet-published study, she found three factors predicted peak originality in teenagers: openness to experience, intelligence, and, importantly, time spent engaged in creative hobbies. That is, taking the time to work on creative pursuits makes a difference. And the same is true for adults, she said. “Carve out time for yourself, figure out the conditions that are conducive to your creativity, and recognize that you need to keep pushing yourself. You won’t get to where you want to go if you don’t try.”

Those efforts can benefit your own sense of creative fulfillment and perhaps lead to rewards on an even grander scale. “I think everyday creativity is the most important kind,” Runco said. “If we can support the creativity of each and every individual, we’ll change the world.”

How to become more creative

1. Put in the work: People often think of creativity as a bolt of inspiration, like a lightbulb clicking on. But being creative in a particular domain—whether in the arts, in your work, or in your day-to-day life—is a skill. Carve out time to learn and practice.

2. Let your mind wander: Experts recommend “daydreaming with purpose.” Make opportunities to let your daydreams flow, while gently nudging them toward the creative challenge at hand. Some research suggests meditation may help people develop the habit of purposeful daydreaming.

3. Practice remote associations: Brainstorm ideas, jotting down whatever thoughts or notions come to you, no matter how wild. You can always edit later.

4. Go outside: Spending time in nature and wide-open spaces can expand your attention, enhance beneficial mind-wandering, and boost creativity.

5. Revisit your creative ideas: Aha moments can give you a high—but that rush might make you overestimate the merit of a creative idea. Don’t be afraid to revisit ideas to critique and tweak them later.

Further reading

Creativity: An introduction Kaufman, J. C., and Sternberg, R. J. (Eds.), Cambridge University Press, 2021

The eureka factor: Aha moments, creative insight, and the brain Kounios, J., & Beeman, M., Random House, 2015

Creativity anxiety: Evidence for anxiety that is specific to creative thinking, from STEM to the arts Daker, R. J., et al., Journal of Experimental Psychology: General , 2020

Predictors of creativity in young people: Using frequentist and Bayesian approaches in estimating the importance of individual and contextual factors Asquith, S. L., et al., Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts , 2020

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The Science of Writing

research-based best practices for writing instruction

Pen and Culture: The Intricate Dance of Writing and Cultural Influence

Writing is more than just a tool for communication; it is a reflection of our culture and identity. Cultural factors play a significant role in shaping writing practices worldwide, influencing language diversity, setting norms, and establishing rich writing traditions. In this blog post, we will embark on a journey through the fascinating interplay between writing and culture, exploring how our diverse backgrounds and heritage leave an indelible mark on the written word.

Language Diversity: The Rich Tapestry of Words

Language is the vessel through which culture is conveyed, and it profoundly impacts writing practices. The vast array of languages spoken across the globe gives rise to a rich tapestry of writing styles, syntax, and vocabulary. Each language carries its unique cultural nuances and influences how writers express their thoughts and emotions. The subtleties of a language’s structure often reflect the cultural values and beliefs ingrained within a community.

For instance, languages with strong oral traditions may exhibit a more conversational tone in their writing, while languages with elaborate honorifics may showcase inherent respect and politeness in written communication. Embracing linguistic diversity fosters cultural appreciation and opens doors to diverse perspectives in the world of writing.

Cultural Norms: Unwritten Rules of Expression

Culture sets the stage for unwritten rules that govern writing practices. Social norms, values, and beliefs seep into the fabric of written communication, dictating acceptable forms of expression. In some cultures, direct and explicit writing is preferred, while in others, implicit and indirect communication is valued. Understanding these nuances is crucial when writing for diverse audiences or in cross-cultural contexts.

Additionally, cultural norms influence topics considered taboo or sensitive, affecting the breadth of subjects explored in writing. By acknowledging and respecting these cultural norms, writers can foster cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.

Writing Traditions: Echoes of the Past

Writing traditions carry the weight of history and heritage. From ancient scrolls to modern digital platforms, the way we record and preserve knowledge has evolved over time, shaped by cultural practices. Ancient civilizations etched their stories on stone tablets or papyrus, while medieval scholars meticulously crafted manuscripts. Today, some cultures continue to uphold calligraphy and handwritten letters as cherished traditions.

Furthermore, certain cultures have revered literary genres or poetic forms that have been passed down through generations. The essence of these traditions persists in contemporary literature, keeping cultural heritage alive through the written word.

Language Revival and Cultural Renaissance

Writing can also be a potent tool in reviving endangered languages and cultures. As languages face the threat of extinction due to globalization, writing plays a crucial role in documenting and preserving the knowledge and traditions of these cultures. By engaging in creative writing, storytelling, and language revitalization efforts, writers can contribute to the renaissance of fading cultures and languages.

Writing and culture are inherently intertwined, influencing each other in a dance of creativity, expression, and identity. Language diversity enriches the tapestry of writing styles, while cultural norms set the boundaries for expression. Writing traditions carry the echoes of the past, connecting us to our cultural heritage.

As writers, we must embrace the beauty of cultural influence and ensure that our words are bridges of understanding and empathy between cultures. By valuing and respecting diverse writing practices, we open doors to a world of shared experiences and collective wisdom. Let us celebrate the marriage of pen and culture, scribing stories that transcend boundaries and unite us in the beauty of human expression.

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Why Practicing Creative Writing Increases Writing Skill across Genres

Practicing creative writing had an incredible impact on a group of seventh-grade students’ writing abilities and dispositions. Creative writing could do the same for you. 

What is the secret to helping kids improve their writing skills? How can teachers help students become more interested in writing? Motivating students to write at high levels can be hard, and even professional writers can feel stuck or uninterested at times. One way to unlock success in and passion for writing may be to do creative writing exercises. 

THE RESEARCH 

In the 2015 study “ Effects of Creative Writing Activities on Students’ Achievement in Writing, Writing Dispositions and Attitude to English ,” Sukran Tok and Anil Kandemir tested the power of creative writing. They began by giving thirty-one seventh-grade students a preliminary writing activity in which each student wrote briefly about the life of someone they knew well. Tok and Kandemir scored the students’ writing based on its content, organization, language use, and mechanics. The students also completed a Likert scale questionnaire to measure their attitudes and dispositions toward writing.

Tok and Kandemir then had the students complete four creative writing exercises. After completing all the exercises, the students repeated the first writing activity. Tok and Kandemir scored the writing, and the students completed the questionnaire again. The researchers found that the students’ second writing scores were significantly higher than their first. The students’ scores on the writing disposition questionnaire had also significantly improved. The average scores for both the writing score and the writing disposition test were ten points higher. 

Although the study only lasted four weeks, the creative writing activities seemed to have a profound effect on increasing the students’ skills and attitudes toward writing. Tok and Kandemir explained, “Based on these results, it can be suggested that creative writing activities can be used in 7th grade English course[s] to increase students’ achievement in writing skill and [lead] them to write more.”

“Based on these results, it can be suggested that creative writing activities can be used in 7th grade English course[s] to increase students’ achievement in writing skill and lead them to write more.” —Sukran Tok and Anil Kandemir (2015)

THE IMPLICATIONS

These results are especially meaningful for educators who are interested in helping students improve their writing skills and increase their interest in writing. Although the sample size of the research is limited in scope to thirty-one students and the experimental design could have benefited from a control group, the results suggest that creative writing exercises could benefit writers who want to increase their passion for writing. 

To learn more about the power of creative writing, read the full article: 

Tok, Sukran, and Anil Kandemir. 2015. “Effects of Creative Writing Activities on Students’ Achievement in Writing, Writing Dispositions and Attitude to English.” Procedia — Social and Behavioral Sciences 174: 1635–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.01.815 .

—Emma Freestone, Editing Research

FEATURE IMAGE BY JESWIN THOMAS

Find more research

Read Elizabeth Gallacher’s Editing Research article to learn more about creative writing: “ Diving into Creative Writing Technicalities .”

Read David McVey’s (2008) article to learn more about how creative writing relates to all types of writing: “Why All Writing Is Creative Writing.” Innovations in Education and Teaching International 45 (3). https://doi.org/10.1080/14703290802176204 .

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Simon Laraway

Interesting stuff! I’m curious what sorts of creative writing exercises the students did. What sorts of prompts can help students (and writers of all sorts) break out of their slumps and get more creative?

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Articles on Creative writing

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UK’s creative industries bring in more revenue than cars, oil and gas – so why is arts education facing cuts?

Adam Behr , Newcastle University

An ode to the social realism of ‘boring’ lyrics – from The Kinks to The Streets

Glenn Fosbraey , University of Winchester

How to write a love song – three tips for beginners from a songwriting expert

‘ Cli-fi ’ might not save the world, but writing it could help with your  eco-anxiety

Rachel Hennessy , The University of Melbourne ; Alex Cothren , Flinders University , and Amy T Matthews , Flinders University

I research the therapeutic qualities of writing about art – here are three steps for trying it yourself

Patrick Wright , The Open University

Creative writing can help improve one’s health: a South African study shows how

Dawn Garisch , University of Cape Town and Steve Reid , University of Cape Town

Boxing empowered me to express my trauma – now, I help other abuse survivors do the same, combining it with creative writing

Donna Lyon , The University of Melbourne

How a poet and professor promotes racial understanding with lessons from history

Quraysh Ali Lansana , Oklahoma State University

How to understand your grief through writing

Catherine Cole , Liverpool John Moores University

Write what you know: the COVID experience is a rich resource for year 12 English exams

Janet Dutton , Macquarie University

5 ways to teach the link between grammar and imagination for better creative writing

Brett Healey , Curtin University

Writing can improve mental health – here’s how

Christina Thatcher , Cardiff Metropolitan University

In an AI world we need to teach students how to work with robot writers

Lucinda McKnight , Deakin University

To succeed in an AI world, students must learn the human traits of writing

‘Lit therapy’ in the classroom: writing about trauma can be valuable, if done right

Yannick Thoraval , RMIT University

Too many adjectives, not enough ideas: how NAPLAN forces us to teach bad writing

What my students taught me about reading: old books hold new insights for the digital generation

Kate Flaherty , Australian National University

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Dr Michael X. Savvas , Flinders University

Frozen in time, the casts of Indigenous Australians who performed in ‘human zoos’ are chilling

Katherine Johnson , University of Tasmania

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PhD Student, School of Education, Curtin University

Executive Dean (interim) Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra

Lecturer in Creative Writing, University of Southern Queensland

Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, University of Stirling

Associate Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Winchester

Dean of Research (Creative), University of South Australia

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• May 31, 2023

Beyond Words: The Far-Reaching Effects of Writing on Society

INTRODUCTION TO THE POWER OF WRITING

Writing is an essential form of communication that has shaped human society for thousands of years. From the earliest cave paintings to the modern digital age, the written word has been an essential tool for conveying information, preserving history, and expressing emotions. In today's world, writing has become even more important as we rely on it for everything from education to business. Join us as we journey beyond words and uncover the profound ways in which writing influences our lives.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF WRITING IN SOCIETY

Writing has been an integral part of human civilization since its inception. The earliest forms of writing, such as Egyptian hieroglyphics and Sumerian cuneiform, date back to around 3000 BCE. These early writing systems were primarily used for record-keeping, such as tracking the exchange of goods and services or documenting historical events.

As human societies became more complex, the need for a more efficient means of communication led to the development of alphabets and more sophisticated writing systems. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century revolutionized the world of writing by making it possible to mass-produce written materials. This development made information more accessible to the masses and contributed to the spread of ideas and knowledge throughout the world.

Throughout history, writing has played a crucial role in shaping society. From the recording of laws and religious texts to the dissemination of philosophical ideas and scientific discoveries, the written word has been instrumental in the evolution of human thought and the development of civilization.

WRITING AS A FORM OF SELF-EXPRESSION

Writing has long been recognized as a powerful form of self-expression. It allows individuals to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a way that transcends the limitations of spoken language. Through writing, people can explore their innermost emotions, confront difficult experiences, and share their unique perspectives with others.

Creative writing offers a means of self-expression that allows individuals to explore their imaginations and delve into the depths of their subconscious. Whether through poetry, fiction, or personal essays, writing provides an outlet for individuals to explore their emotions, make sense of their experiences, and connect with others on a deeper level.

Moreover, writing as a form of self-expression can be therapeutic. Many people find solace in putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) to process their emotions and gain insight into their own thoughts and feelings. In this way, writing can be a powerful tool for promoting mental health and emotional well-being.

WRITING AS A TOOL FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

Throughout history, writing has been a powerful force for social change. From the impassioned essays of civil rights activists to the fiery speeches of political revolutionaries, the written word has the power to inspire, motivate, and unite individuals in the pursuit of a common goal.

In many instances, writing has been the catalyst for significant social movements. For example, the works of Enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu helped to lay the groundwork for the French Revolution, while the writings of anti-slavery activists like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Beecher Stowe galvanized the abolitionist movement in the United States.

In the modern era, writing continues to serve as a powerful tool for social change. Social media platforms, blogs, and online publications provide a space for activists, scholars, and ordinary citizens to share their thoughts and opinions on pressing social issues. This democratization of writing has made it possible for marginalized voices to be heard and for grassroots movements to gain traction.

WRITING AS A MEANS OF PRESERVING CULTURE

Writing plays an essential role in the preservation of culture. By documenting history, traditions, and customs, the written word helps to ensure that the rich tapestry of human experience is not lost to the sands of time. In this way, writing serves as a bridge between generations, allowing the wisdom and experiences of the past to inform and enrich the lives of those in the present.

Literature, in particular, plays a crucial role in preserving culture. Through stories, poems, and essays, writers capture the essence of their societies, reflecting the values, beliefs, and experiences of their time. These works of art serve as a cultural record, providing a window into the lives of those who came before us and helping to shape our understanding of the world around us.

In addition, writing can also play a role in the revitalization and preservation of endangered languages and cultural practices. By documenting these languages and traditions in written form, we can help to ensure their survival for future generations.

THE IMPACT OF WRITING ON EDUCATION

Writing is a fundamental component of education. From the earliest stages of learning to read and write, children are taught the importance of literacy as the foundation for acquiring knowledge and developing critical thinking skills. As students progress through their education, the ability to effectively communicate through writing becomes even more crucial.

In higher education, writing is the primary means by which students convey their understanding of complex concepts and engage in intellectual discourse with their peers and instructors. Whether through essays, research papers, or dissertations, writing is the cornerstone of academic success.

Furthermore, writing is not just a skill to be mastered for academic purposes. Effective written communication is essential for success in the workforce as well. In today's globalized economy, the ability to express ideas clearly and persuasively through writing is a highly sought-after skill that can open doors to career advancement and professional growth.

WRITING AND MENTAL HEALTH

The connection between writing and mental health is well-documented. Numerous studies have shown that engaging in expressive writing can have a positive impact on psychological well-being, helping individuals to process emotions, reduce stress, and gain insight into their own thoughts and feelings.

One of the most popular therapeutic writing techniques is journaling. By writing about their experiences, emotions, and thoughts, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their mental state and work through difficult emotions. Journaling can be particularly helpful for those struggling with anxiety, depression, or trauma, as it provides a safe space for processing and reflection.

In addition to journaling, other forms of writing, such as poetry or fiction, can also serve as a means of emotional expression and healing. Creative writing allows individuals to explore their emotions and experiences in a more abstract and imaginative way, providing an outlet for self-expression that can be both cathartic and empowering.

WRITING IN THE DIGITAL AGE

The digital age has undoubtedly transformed the landscape of writing. With the advent of the internet and the proliferation of digital devices, writing has become more accessible and more diverse than ever before. Today, anyone with an internet connection can publish their own blog, share their thoughts on social media, or contribute to online forums and discussions.

This democratization of writing has had both positive and negative effects on society. On one hand, the digital age has made it possible for a wider range of voices and perspectives to be heard, fostering greater diversity and inclusivity in the world of writing. In addition, the internet has made information more accessible than ever before, promoting the exchange of ideas and knowledge on a global scale.

On the other hand, the digital age has also given rise to new challenges for writers and readers alike. The sheer volume of information available online can be overwhelming, making it difficult for individuals to discern reputable sources from unreliable ones. Furthermore, the rise of social media and the culture of instant gratification have contributed to the decline of long-form writing and the devaluation of thoughtful, nuanced discourse.

THE FUTURE OF WRITING IN SOCIETY

As we look to the future, it is clear that writing will continue to play an essential role in shaping society. While the digital age has brought about significant changes in the way we write and consume information, the fundamental importance of the written word remains unchanged.

In the coming years, we may see a resurgence of long-form writing as individuals and communities recognize the value of thoughtful, in-depth analysis and reflection. Additionally, as technology continues to advance, we may see new and innovative forms of writing emerge, such as virtual reality storytelling or interactive narratives.

However, even as the methods of writing evolve, the core principles of effective communication and self-expression remain constant. As such, it is crucial that we continue to prioritize literacy and writing skills in education and beyond, ensuring that future generations are equipped with the tools they need to communicate effectively and make their voices heard.

In conclusion, writing has far-reaching effects on society today. From its historical significance to its role in self-expression, social change, and culture preservation, writing influences our lives in profound ways. It is essential for education and mental health, and it continues to evolve in the digital age.

As we look to the future, it is clear that writing will remain a crucial tool for communication, expression, and creativity. Whether through traditional forms of writing or new and innovative mediums, the power of the written word will continue to shape our world and our understanding of it.

So, let's continue to write, to read, and to appreciate the beauty and value of the written word. For in doing so, we honor the rich legacy of human civilization and pave the way for a brighter and more connected future.

Thank you for spending your time with us this morning on the HIP Weekly. We appreciate your attention and readership and look forward to seeing you next week. If you enjoyed or learned something form this article, then by all means share it with a friend or colleague! In the meantime, as we always say, have a positive and productive week!

Written by:

Joshua Adams

Senior Editor

Huntsville Independent Press

ABOUT HUNTSVILLE INDEPENDENT PRESS

Huntsville Independent Press is the premiere publishing imprint of the Southeast United States, and we want to help you, the author. HIP provides, at no cost to our signed authors, a better solution for the publication of your story. Our contracts are non-restrictive and offer higher royalties for our authors. No HIP advance is taken out of royalties. Your advance from us is a one-time payment for the privilege to publish your book and is not a loan. Our passionate team of editors work diligently to ensure that the uniqueness of your story is preserved through the editing process. While you’re here, feel free to look around to see if Huntsville Independent Press is the right home for your work. We are always happy to have talented authors find a publishing home here with us.

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