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I once read a great article by a well-known writer who said something about writers needing the stamina of an Olympic athlete. I liked it at the time, of course, but I thought it was just so much talk. Writers like to go on a bit about how hard it all is, and this was just another manifestation of that, I thought. Although, it is hard. The hardest thing I’ve ever done. But, Olympic athlete? Not so sure about that.
Then, along came last week’s episode of Mythbusters. My kids love this show, and I do, to. For those who aren’t familiar with it, the presenters take well-known myths, and see if they are true or not. It’s a combination of science, common-sense and blowing things up, and as the presenters are special effects experts, they seem to have all three down.
The myth they were trying to ‘bust’ is the notion that people only use 10% of their brain. They wanted to see if this was true or not, and they devised a number of elaborate tests while the presenters were attached to brain scan machines or in those CAT scan chambers to see how much brain activity was recorded.
In general, for most tasks, some quite complex, the brain seemed to use between 13%-20% of it’s capacity. But it was when one of the presenters was asked to tell a story that the scanning equipment lit up like a Christmas tree. It registered 34% brain usage. That was because not just one section of the brain was involved but a number of different areas.
Ha.
So, it IS hard work! Using twice the amount of brain power as most other things hard. I don’t feel like such a wimp any more when I stare at the blank page and question my choice in career.
Suffice it to say, I understand on a very personal level the feeling of looking at something and just not wanting to even go there, because my brain is saying ‘Are you nuts? This is going to hurt!’. Complex maths comes readily to mind here. I forced my way through some of it at university just to prove to myself that I could do it if I really try. And I’m writing a book at the moment for which I had to get an understanding of the economics of the Napoleonic wars, as well as the various countries’ involved economic policies.
The first time I read the doctoral thesis that seemed to be the best overall document to do this, I barely understood a word of it. Now I’m on the fourth or fifth read, and wow, I know what is going on. I discovered this some time ago. If I read something, give my brain time to work it out, read it again, rinse and repeat, I can actually understand most things. Not very fast, obviously, but I’m like the tortoise. Slow and steady wins the race. 
So, what thing does your brain automatically shy away from and try to make you run screaming in the opposite direction from? Anything tech? Maths? Bank statements? Tax forms? (Forms of any kind throw me, somehow. I always make mistakes on them. I’d love to go form-free through life. How sad for me. LOL.) Or, does the idea of writing something creative on a page make you break into a cold sweat? How about taking on a room of 4 year-olds?
I’ll be giving away a copy of one of the newly-released versions of Mary Stewart’s suspense novels to one lucky commenter. Their choice which one. I was introduced to Mary Stewart by my (male) English teacher in high school, who claimed her novel MADAME WILL YOU TALK was one of the tautest, most suspenseful books he’d ever read. I never looked back. I ate her up, book after book. And one of the best compliments my editor ever paid me when we first ‘met’ each other online when she’d bought my book, IN A TREACHEROUS COURT, was to say my work reminded her in some way of Mary Stewart.
I’m stopping off at the library today to pick up an Amanda Quick book I had on inter-library loan. I’m going to get a Mary Stewart book while I’m at it. I LOVE the new covers, too.
How fun to know that we use 34% of our brains. No wonder in the midst of writing I sometimes feel I must nap.
Technical directions read like gobbledygook to me. One by one, the words make sense. But when I finish a paragraph, it’s as if I just read blah-blah-blah-blah-blah.
Edie, I have an inter-library loan waiting for me, too. Suzanne Brockmann. I just read Over the Edge a week or so ago and loved it, so I asked for another one.
And yes, aren’t those new covers great. You really get the feel of post-WWII Europe.
Mary Stewart! I read her when I was growing up. LOVED her Merlin series. Don’t remember the stories but do remember eating up those books.
Doctoral dissertations…don’t you know that we who had to write them always use big words and complex sentences so our doctoral committees think we learned so much? Plus, remember the phrase…if you can dazzle them with your brilliance baffle them with your bullshit! I just described my dissertation! LOL
I’ll opt to face a blank page every time over a room of four-year-olds!
Cyndi, I loved her Merlin series, too. I especially loved her versatility. She could write fantasy and suspense equally well.
Michelle, oh my gosh! My brain hurts from reading this post and the points you raised. What is it about the brain that makes us shy away from something we don’t understand? And… I have to say thank you for the introduction to Mary Stewart. I love thrillers. Where have I been that I don’t know about this author? Thank you!
I think the brain shying away is self-protection
)
As for Mary Stewart, her books are set in post-WWII Europe, and I *think* came out in the 60s. They have a definite flavour of the times (people smoke a lot, for a start!) but the heroine is always refreshingly strong and quite often saves the day. And the suspense is extremely well-done.
Add me to the pile of people who love Mary Stewart. Aside from The Crystal Cave series, my favorite is Touch Not the Cat.
My bugaboo is math — and apparently anything ‘mathlike’ which in our house has extended to spatial relations and geography. I appear to be missing the part of the brain that handles higher math skills, although I’m fine with the basics. I am trying to keep this fact from my daughter in case it scars her perception of what she can do, but there are days when it is hard!
Liz, I know a lot of people whose favorite was Touch Not the Cat. One of the few of her suspenses that had a paranormal element, if I remember correctly. My favorite is The Moon-Spinners, but I also LOVED Airs Above the Ground and My Brother Michael (and Thunder on the Right, too! – oh, I can’t actually choose.)
I can’t speak in front of a crowd, which is a real setback to me since I am fixing to be on an author/agent panel in two weeks. I find I need oxygen. Now if you ask me to BS up there, I’m on my game. I’m wondering if my brain just shuts down on me.
Great post, Michelle. I love it that we use so much brain power when we write. That must be why I need frequent naps when I’m being creative!!
Liz, good luck with the panel. I don’t mind a panel. People asking me questions I can manage. I feel nervous when I have to make a speech.
One word, Math! I hate math when I was at school.
And thank you for introducing a new for me author, Mary Stewart. As I haven’t read any books from her
Mariska, I hope you like her! Her books are set just after WWII, and they are ‘period’ in that they reflect the times. I am so pleased they’ve been re-released, and I just love the new covers.
Interesting. I proof and edit for a guy working on his doctoral thesis. He is retired military and has 2 masters degrees. Nuff said? I read each sentence for meaning and correctness. By the time I finish a page my eyes are crossed, but I understand what he’s saying in 10 pages that could be said in 2. The Law SAT test kicks my ass. I wanted to be able to tutor students who need to take it. NOT gonna happen.
I can retain just so may numbers or items, like phone numbers, Add the area code and I forget the last numbers,
LOL about the area code crack, Mary!
My Masters’ thesis, I simply cringe when I look at it. I’d love to re-write it better. The doctoral thesis I’m using for research has the funniest word usage, but I must admit, he’s pretty tight. He doesn’t ramble at all. It is just a lot of new concepts and jargon to deal with.
Hi Michelle,
Interesting post – I’m not surprised that writers use their brain so extensively. I know mine aches from overuse sometimes. An area I’d run screaming from? That’s easy. I can replace a drive belt on a lawnmower, fix a hole in the wall, bake Key lime cheesecake (just made one for my son’s birthday), build a computer from scratch and will absolutely run screaming if I have to hook one more thing to a TV. We have Wiis/computer harddrives/Nintendo 64/DVD players/and Lord only knows what else – if it’s got cables attached – I am so gone!
Thankfully my sons have now taken over!!
Of course, they will leave home one day and I’ll have to figure it all out again. sigh.
Dale, we’re twins! I’m VERY good at DIY from renovating the house we bought nearly a year ago. Tiling, painting, sanding, fixing holes in walls. I’m good. I also love baking.
But the TV? No interest in learning, and fortunately, no need while my 9yo seems to have the hang of it. LOL.
I love Mary Stewart also and those vintage-style covers are beautiful.
I hated a job at a fast food counter for many reasons, but the biggest one was that I had to count back change. You know, instead of saying “your change is five dollars and two cents” I had to count back up to the amount the customer had given me. So I don’t like having to do math in my head on the spot.
Hannah! I hate the change thing, too. I think it’s the pressure to be right and to be quick, where I like to double-check. LOL. My Virgo coming out.
When I volunteer on school cake stands and sausage sizzles, I feel like I’m getting a real mental workout with all the change I’m working out and handing over.
Like several others, my brain demon is math. Not all math, just the formula kind. Finance classes in college made me pretty near suicidal.
I’m going to see if I can find that episode of Myth Busters for my kids to watch!
Misty, be sure to make them watch it!
‘That’s why I’m tired sometimes, kids, I’m using double the brain capacity of most people.’ 
Oh Michelle, this made me laugh: “I don’t feel like such a wimp any more when I stare at the blank page and question my choice in career.”
I have SO been there! But in general, what makes my brain freeze is chemistry. All those formulas. Like a foreign language. Of course, now you have me wondering if chemistry is really just like a story in a foreign language, and if I figured out the language, then I might really enjoy the story… Okay, that made my head hurt.
Funny, Amy. I didn’t go near chemistry. Never my thing. Self-preservation on my brain’s part, no doubt. My sister IS an inorganic chemist, though, and my husband is a chemical engineer. I think I’ve got enough *people* to deal with whatever chemistry formulas life throws at me. *grin*
Michelle, I’m a Mary Stewart fan, too! I love her thrillers, and her Merlin books. I discovered her by chance at the library in Anchorage, Alaska when I was in elementary school (12 years old). Unfortunately I got rid of most of my MS books during a big move we made a few years ago.
One of the things that makes my brain freeze is electrical stuff. Anything to do with electricity, amperage, watts, all that stuff. I just freeze up and my head hurts. Probably if a very patient person explained it to me using really short words I could eventually get it. But I haven’t met that person yet.
P.S. Just had to add that I think I might have to use that Mythbusters episode on my husband. Heh heh. See, honey, this is why you should take my work seriously.
Tori, that episode is a keeper.
I don’t understand electricity at all, either. All I know is that it works.
Like you say, if I tried, and someone explained it patiently, I’d probably get it, but it’s waaaaaay down on my priority list. I read a book called ELECTRICITY set in the Victorian era about a woman and her husband, who was a pioneer in electrifying noblemen’s houses when electricity was in its infancy, so to speak. I think I learned a little reading that, because it was down to basics, but I’ve forgotten most of it.
all things technical! Gah, I have a headache now just typing the word!!
Good thing you know me.
Oh, Michelle, I *loved* this post! Thank you for it… So many times I’ve been hard at work drafting a scene and need to take a break (as in, lie down in bed and close my eyes for 10 minutes) because my entire body is exhausted from the process of writing. It is *really* hard work! Regarding the thing that makes my mind shut down: anything that has anything to do with “medical procedures” — just thinking about them, I’m already blinking, waving my palms and backing away from the computer
.
You can take those naps guilt-free from now on, Marilyn.
I find this post fascinating!!! 34% ? I’ll be sure to share that with the writers I know!!
It is good to know, isn’t it, Cynthia? Sort of vindicating . . .
Weighing in late on this discussion, Michelle. Sorry ’bout that. Was under the weather yesterday.
Hmmm. What do I shy away from? My knee jerk answer would be math, but that’s not quite true. Granted, I don’t understand math very well, but I’m sorta relearning it as my daughter is learning it. She’s way ahead of me already. I’d say reading anything of the political nature. I just start seeing “yadda, yadda, yadda” after awhile. Most times I’ll go back to re-read what I’d been trying to understand, but like you, it takes a couple of times going over it before the gist sinks in. I think a lot of that has to do with my natural cynicism when it comes to anything political.
Good post and you raised a lot a good points. Love watching Myth Busters, by the way … when I get a chance to see it.
Ah, politicians. Actually, I thought of a crack about them for this post already, and resisted, but since you brought them up . . .
Think of how hard their jobs are, given this evidence. They’re like using 34% of their brains most of time, surely? Really, we don’t give them enough credit . . .