The Wednesday Writing Worktable: Why Everyone should Write and Read

Writing can improve memory? Storytelling has better retention than presenting bare facts? Reading is the best way to improve vocabulary? Writing is de-stressing?

This week I wanted to share some interesting information on the science of why writing is such a valuable skill and what that effect has on people. I think you'll be interested to read the inforgraphic below courtesy of Best Infographics.

Embedded from BestInfographics.co

I totally get into a "zone" when I'm writing. For me, it's as though I'm watching a movie. In my head, the movie plays. I can tune out everything. Everything. The Engineer will sometimes talk to me, and I don't hear a word. The same for when I read. He hates when I'm in that "zone." 

When writing, I hardly even notice my fingers typing, but they are just translating what I'm seeing in my head. It's crazy. And I totally get how that's similar to meditating. Editing, however, cannot possibly have these effects. To me, that's stressful--cutting and rewriting. Sometimes, I'd rather write a million first drafts than work on a second. hehe Maybe writing is my meditation. Hmm. I like that!

With so many schools switching to a primarily technological environment where every student is required to use tablets and/or laptops, replacing notebooks and textbooks (even chalkboards are computers), I wonder if this is actually a disservice to our youth. I mean, it's great that we have more access to information with technology, but maybe some things are better left to the ways of the past. According to the infographic, the brain remembers better when we write with a pen. I would love to see a study on that. We don't want to become the people in Wall-E, do we?

I honestly can't tell you the last time I've written something by hand, other than signing a book or a check. Even the personal note with my signed books, I wouldn't count. I do everything using my phone, tablet, or laptop from writing my books to scheduling appointments. If it wouldn't be for my Google calendar, I'd forget where I'm supposed to be when. My memory is awful. I wonder if this has anything to do with that. Someone work on that infographic stat. hehe

Lots of <3,