What that translates to is an exacerbation of psychological trouble. If you suffer from anxiety or depression, then you might notice that you feel despair and concern over your situation much more keenly. Writing, on the other hand, may reduce the symptoms. I know for me, it does reduce the feeling of anxiety in regards to many aspects of my life. My mood is greatly improved. However, when someone interrupts me, regardless of how much I have been doing, I might snap at them! Perhaps researchers should look into the brain’s addiction to the chemicals released during the writing process? More likely, my switch is due to the time constraints I am constantly under: I can only write in the evenings and on weekends. It’s as exhausting as any other job, if not more so because it takes a lot of mental gymnastics. To be interrupted breaks my thought, which sets me back, possibly by hours.

Disrupting a work flow, as we’ve learned about in the office, causes the same inefficiency, and when an author is limited to certain times in which to write, that is a real blow to their balance. My advice to friends, family or partners of authors: try to wait for your author to take a break. I am sure whatever question you have will wait. Write it down if you’re worried you’ll forget. At some point, they’ll take a break and you can speak with them then. If it’s an emergency, can you deal with this yourself? Is it that big of an emergency? If you don’t disrupt the author, will the house burn down? Is it really just a decision you can make on your own? Although your author might be working from home, that doesn’t mean you can disrupt their work day any more than you could if they were literally at a place of business working. You might text them at work, but it’s going to be some time before you hear back, as they aren’t sitting on their phone (in most cases) waiting for your text. Lastly, is the need to ask right now simply a call for attention? You might think you are just attempting to be polite and inclusive, when this is more about you than it is them or the collective you. When they take a break, great them with some attention—a hug or kiss and mention that you noticed how hard they’re working, so you didn’t disturb them, but you have a question before they get back in the writing cave. Some partners or family members might find it gratifying to have taken notice of the writers pattern regarding their break. Do they come out for a snack, coffee or smoke? You might have something ready, so they can spend more time answering your questions, giving you attention and taking care of whatever was on hold while they were busy. That’s a give take win.

Relationships is exactly what one of the newer studies focused on.

This study specifically examined the connection of writing to psychological levels in social situations. Prior to this, the decades of research was focused on health and well-being of the individual. Likely, some anecdotal evidence lead to the newest foray into the world of studying writing affects on people. Regardless of why or how they came to the decision, the evidence is showing that writing also brings positive outcomes to interpersonal relationships. I have no doubt! If I’m gray or moody because I’m not writing, then those around me are going to feel that, especially partners. It only makes sense that while you feel good, your relationships will feel good too.

Writing, after all, is a very solitary act in most cases. You can end up alienating your partner, family and friends by seeming to take writing as more important than any of them. And, so too, it may very well be–something that those who are connected to authors really must understand. Don’t ever ask your author to choose you or their writing. A writer is incapable of not writing. You’re asking them to basically amputate a limb. A balance can and must be achieved, but it takes understanding on the part of those involved, and effort. According to this study, at least, partners of writers should be happy to allow their writer to write, because it reinforces the romantic bond. So, concern that writing is competing with you for attention of your writer seems quite moot, and perhaps there are other reasons writing is taking the blame?

Going over the study, I began to wonder if writing, exposition in this case, helps the brain to reinforce the relationship for author, as I state abovve. It is a logical conclusion, as many studies have gone over the outcomes of cognition and memory in regards to reinforcing by writing.