right brain/left brain
I've taught classes on right brain/left brain as it relates to creativity. Short version: the right side (creative) sees all the beautiful orange and red and blue colors in flames; the left side (analytical) dials 911 to report that your house is on fire. When writing fiction, you need that right side. When editing fiction, you need that left side.
In all of the tests I've taken through the years for discovering how a person uses these two sides of the brain, I have consistently come out almost 50/50 right/left. Usually I am 49% right brain and 51% left brain.
I found a link to another test on Writer at Random, so I followed it and took the test. For the first time ever, I came out heavier on the creative side, but still very much in the center. What surprised me the most is the Visual aspect. I don't visualize scenes when I'm writing. I feel them "in my gut." It's an intuitive process. Anyway, I'd say the results are pretty spot-on.
Your Brain Usage Profile:
Auditory : 38% | Visual : 61% | Left : 41% | Right : 58%
Robin, you possess an
interesting balance of hemispheric and sensory characteristics, with a
slight right-brain dominance and a slight preference for visual
processing.
Since neither of these is completely centered, you lack the indecision and second-guessing associated with other patterns. You have a distinct preference for creativity and intuition with seemingly sufficient verbal skills to be able to translate in any meaningful way to yourself and others.
You tend to see things in "wholes" without surrendering the ability to attend to details. You can give them sufficient notice to be able to utitlize and incorporate them as part of an overall pattern.
In the same way, while you are active and process information simultaneously, you demonstrate a capacity for sequencing as well as reflection which allows for some "inner dialogue."
All in all, you are likely to be quite content with yourself and your style although at times it will not necessarily be appreciated by others. You have sufficient confidence to not second-guess yourself, but rather to use your critical faculties in a way that enhances, rather than limits, your creativity.
You can learn in either mode although far more efficiently within the visual mode. It is likely that in listening to conversations or lecture materials you simultaneously translate into pictures which enhance and elaborate on the meaning.
It is most likely that you
will gravitate towards those endeavors which are predominantly visual
but include some logic or structuring. You may either work particularly
hard at cultivating your auditory skills or risk "missing out" on being
able to efficiently process what you learn. Your own intuitive skills
will at times interfere with your capacity to listen to others, which
is something else you may need to take into account.
Well, if you feel so inclined, go test yourself. It is a simple test with no right or wrong answers. Let me know if you think the test nails you.
-rlh-
