Today I chat with Martin Lotze, neuroscientist at the University of Greifswald, about his research into the brains of writers.
Martin has researched how the minds of writers and non-writers operate, using fMRI scans to observe which areas of the brain are activated during the writing process. His fascinating work demonstrates that wholly different parts of the brain are used by experienced writers and novices when undertaking creative writing. I ask him about how he came to study this area, discover many of my assumptions are wrong, and ask him the implications of his findings for writers like us.
This is a great episode to listen to if you want to know:
– can writing be taught?
– what happens in our brains when we write?
– does writing change the brain?
– how can I train myself to be a better writer?
If you’d like to support me, the podcast and all the things I’m putting out into the world, if you like what I do and would like me to do more of it, and if you’d like to be the first to read my brand new novel, please help me by pre-ordering a copy of THE ICE HOUSE. It’s got an old lady pulled out of retirement for one last job, a 400-year-old forensic pathologist field medic battle nun looking to bring down an empire, psychedelics, dungeon crawls, jungle adventures, a locked-room murder mystery, intrigue, romance, minotaurs, a secret testing facility, giant sentient beetles, immortal mutant aristocrats, knife fights, an angel, larceny and ancient menaces rising from the depths. You’re going to dig it and it helps me so much. Here are some places you can order now:
Mr B’s Emporium are an indie bookstore who deliver worldwide – I’ll sign all pre-ordered copies from here.
Or, if you want to support local business, be great and ask at your local bricks and mortar bookshop.
If you’d like to read a story about a 13 year old girl investigating a secret society in 1930s Norfolk, grab a copy of my novel, THE HONOURS.
If you’d like to sign up to my free Weekly Writing Workout, here’s the sign up form.
Here’s my author page on Facebook.
You can get in touch via the ‘Contact Me’ link to the right.
And if you’d like to support the podcast, here’s my Ko-fi page.