From Mike Paterson at The60LifeWeekly
15th January 2011
• Why having a laugh can make you more creative
• Where you can find much you need to know as a new or established writer
Hi,
I hope the New Year is going well with you.
As well as bringing to you a wide range of information covering many issues and content of particular, but not always exclusive, interest to the 60-lifer, I am reminded that writing, and learning more about writing, is important to you. This week, then I am looking at a handbook that should always be readily to hand on your bookshelf.
Another ready source of inspiration and guidance that we can access to follow our hobbies, sports, or business interests is the ubiquitous magazine or periodical. Yes, they do tend to be almost everywhere, in the library, newsagent, superstore, and doctor’s surgery for example, but do we actually read them critically as a source of valuable ideas and content? Many magazines have an online presence now which can give you a valuable insight into the printed publication, as well as good free information. More about my Magwatch coming soon in a later issue…
As for this week, let’s start with a laugh…
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Why having a laugh could make you more creative******************************************************************
As the old saying goes, laughter is the best medicine. Well now to the natural health benefits which can be attributed to a happy mood, we can add the benefit of greater creativity. Yes, it is now official: A Positive Mood Allows Your Brain to Think More Creatively.
Over the weekend, I caught a television programme in tribute to Ronnie Barker of the 70s/80s tv comedy show ” the two Ronnies.” The sketches – you can see the “Fork handles” sketch on youtube.com – were so funny and the word craft so skilful, I had to watch it all, and felt so much better for having done so. Apparently, watching funny films or video can create the right mood to enhance a person’s ability to be more creative. Ronnie Barker’s successful comedic career may prove the point. I believe he wrote most of the material used. His average working day, apart from being very productive, must have been a riot! He was very funny, and a very clever man.
“Generally, positive mood has been found to enhance creative problem solving and flexible yet careful thinking,” says Ruby Nadler, a graduate student at the University of Western Ontario. She and colleagues Rahel Rabi and John Paul Minda carried out a new study published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science. For this study, Nadler and her colleagues looked at a particular kind of learning that is improved by creative thinking.
a-positive-mood-allows-you-to-think-more-creatively
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Where you can find much you need to know as a writer
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For many years, I have bought the Writer’s Handbook published by Macmillan and edited by Barry Turner. This year is no exception. I am again the proud owner of a handy 786 pages just brimful of useful information; this 2011 edition includes articles on
• characterisation,
• writing children’s books,
• ghost writing,
• and what makes a successful writer, and much more…
There is something of interest for everyone. I also particularly like the access owning a copy of the Writer’s Handbook 2011 gives me to a dedicated website and searchable directory.
The Times rate this work: ’The book no writer should be without.’
Now, there are other excellent reference handbooks for writers, if you want to shop around. One such is the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook 2011
If you have been thank you for tuning-in! More soon…
Do remember you can pick-up more regular tips and news at http://the60life.com
Yours,
Mike Paterson,
The 60Life Weekly
[email protected]
If you have missed earlier issues of The60Life Weekly – these can be found by scrolling down the categories in the right hand column at http://www.the60life.com.