I've been working on my WIP for over a year now, and never understood why I struggle so much with physical description or visualising a scene and why it was so easy for me to write dialogue and character motivation. Thank you for this post, Evelyn! It makes me feel seen.
This must be on lots of people's minds lately – I have a draft post all about how people's imaginations and how they visualise things can be so different!!! I also have aphantasia, and I'm an author and illustrator ... for me it just means that the way I create art isn't the same as those who can visualise things clearly (or at least clearer than I can) in their minds. Not bad or wrong either way, just different.
It depends what I’m focusing on. I have words in my brain pretty much constantly unless I intentionally try to shut it up (This is why podcasts/music are nice for relaxing the brain). As for craft, the language of describing a scene is half the fun. Sometimes my background-brain “visualizing” is mainly spatial, like when I can’t understand the choreography of how characters move in someone else’s book. But I definitely can imagine scenarios sort of like movies if I want to. It’s not the same as watching a piece of media, because it depends which parts you’re imagining at the moment. I suppose I can go anywhere from 1-5, even different bits of the same mental scenario, according to what I’m actively thinking about.
Think of it like a chapter that’s partly just outlined, partly blank ??? idk think about it later, partly roughed out - and lastly, sprinkled with paragraphs here and there that are your vivid original inspiration and/or attentively cared-for gardens. The same goes for visuals and spatial awareness.
Fascinating! I’ve never heard of this. I put myself at a 2, but a proper test might call me a 1. I “see” blotches of color and light, but someone with a full picture might call that “nothing.” I had no idea that most other people could spring images out of their heads! I thought it was a rare artistic talent. Mostly I hear rhythms and sound arrangements much more than I see in the mind.
This was a really interesting post to read because I'm left with the sense that I'm not sure where I am on the spectrum, because now I think I'm overthinking it. I thought I could be fairly visual, but I'm challenged trying to see what pictures I can visualize in my mind right now. When I'm writing, I definitely don't see the words floating across my brain, but I also don't tend to see a movie playing out first. I usually get some idea or innate sense of a character or situation first, and start imagining or recognizing their mental and emotional traits, or the conflict they find themselves in, and how they're reacting to that. And I may hear bits of dialogue in my head, or hear my brain narrating how they're moving or behaving or reacting to something. So I feel like I'm mostly writing from "spirit" as well, but as I bear down on a scene (especially action or where physical choreography is key), I feel like I visualize that more in order to transcribe it. So I definitely can visualize to some degree, but it doesn't seem to be where I start, more a tool that I reach for at some point when necessary.
Do you see images when you dream? I think that's one reason I would've said I was pretty visual if asked before I read this post, because I frequently have vivid dreams that feel like they're scenes from a movie (even if they end up making no sense).
This was a great discussion in the comments--I really appreciate everyone's descriptions of their process, because it helped me discern my own a little better. It's funny how hard it is to describe when I was thinking it through. Even thinking about how I read--I *can* see scenes play out if I try to picture them, but I mostly feel the emotions I think. I live the experience more through feelings than pictures. And when I'm reading, I hear the words in my mind, like my brain is also reading aloud to me. Which is perhaps why I'm not a super fast reader (not that I want to be, because I usually want to slow down and enjoy the experience if I like a book, even if part of me wants to rush to know what happens next). But I can only "hear" the words so fast. And sometimes I'll get tripped up if the author emphasizes what my brain thinks is the "wrong" word in a line of dialogue or action, because my brain pauses to reread it and find the way *it* thinks the line should sound.
But ironically, I'm definitely a visual learner; I'm not a great auditory learner. So who the heck knows what's going on in my brain? Both fascinating and nonsensical!
I recently listened to The Lies of Locke Lamora. And it has some of the most entrancing world building and rhythm to it. And at the same time I had to keep pausing it wondering - how in the world did someone create a gritty, fantasy world with so detailed sectors and story structure?? How did they map that?? How did they embody each place so distinctly?? That’s why I discovered I lean so heavily on Pinterest for developing story boards for settings and plot. It helps me get the feel and give me a visual for stories and characters that I can’t “see”.
Architect and illustrator here and I relate to this so much. I’m almost always a 1 - and I’m constantly surprised when a piece of illustration is finished and I can look at the whole composition. I really have no clue how it all came together but somehow it always does (thankfully!). I also never got into the habit of doing thumbnail sketches and go for the final layout without realizing.
This is intriguing Evelyn! I'm probably a 3 or 4, seeing films in my head as I read. As music is inherently part of me, I sometimes hear a theme for each character - not like a Darth Vader theme, but notes or style. ;-) If I read in French there's more music.
I was wondering if the print is a linear text dialogue, for you? From various psychometric tests - part of interviews and leadership training I did, I know I'm more of a visual thinker and strategist - so mindmaps and spherical thinking or tree-branching brainstorms are my 'norm' ;-) My content calendar is more collage than linear list ;-) This is why I love interlinking articles here on Substack rather than writing a book...for now.
Hi, Evelyn, I see images of scenes and characters like a movie. I was talking with another Writer about it and we both agreed it’s kind of unexplainable. I’ve never heard of Aphantasia. Thank you for sharing that and being honest. I hope you see it as a superpower. I love your approach to your art. It sounds like it’s very intuitive. Wow— to feel the words…that’s powerful and deep and sounds like a beautiful experience. Ps the picture you included of the Paris cafe looks so cozy and inviting.
I can’t visualize, and it took a long time for me to discover that was really a thing. I never thought about how it plays into my writing, but when it comes to visual art, it means I need a reference to draw from. Interesting to think about this from a writing angle, too.
I've written about my experience too, except I'm an artist and illustrator.
I will share my article about my aphantasia because I know it was written with the same intention as yours, to make sure people know it is possible to be creative regardless. Yes it is a different way of thinking and I thought it may be a huge detriment to drawing and painting but I find very little difference in performance compared to my peers.
So for whomever needs to read this.
- Yes you can be an artist or creative writer and excel at it, as long as you realize the methods of learning others use may not apply to you, just find a different way of getting to the same place.
I've been working on my WIP for over a year now, and never understood why I struggle so much with physical description or visualising a scene and why it was so easy for me to write dialogue and character motivation. Thank you for this post, Evelyn! It makes me feel seen.
This must be on lots of people's minds lately – I have a draft post all about how people's imaginations and how they visualise things can be so different!!! I also have aphantasia, and I'm an author and illustrator ... for me it just means that the way I create art isn't the same as those who can visualise things clearly (or at least clearer than I can) in their minds. Not bad or wrong either way, just different.
It depends what I’m focusing on. I have words in my brain pretty much constantly unless I intentionally try to shut it up (This is why podcasts/music are nice for relaxing the brain). As for craft, the language of describing a scene is half the fun. Sometimes my background-brain “visualizing” is mainly spatial, like when I can’t understand the choreography of how characters move in someone else’s book. But I definitely can imagine scenarios sort of like movies if I want to. It’s not the same as watching a piece of media, because it depends which parts you’re imagining at the moment. I suppose I can go anywhere from 1-5, even different bits of the same mental scenario, according to what I’m actively thinking about.
Think of it like a chapter that’s partly just outlined, partly blank ??? idk think about it later, partly roughed out - and lastly, sprinkled with paragraphs here and there that are your vivid original inspiration and/or attentively cared-for gardens. The same goes for visuals and spatial awareness.
I’ve heard of this! I’m probably a 3 or a 4. I can visualize things in my head, but they aren’t crystal clear.
Fascinating! I’ve never heard of this. I put myself at a 2, but a proper test might call me a 1. I “see” blotches of color and light, but someone with a full picture might call that “nothing.” I had no idea that most other people could spring images out of their heads! I thought it was a rare artistic talent. Mostly I hear rhythms and sound arrangements much more than I see in the mind.
This was a really interesting post to read because I'm left with the sense that I'm not sure where I am on the spectrum, because now I think I'm overthinking it. I thought I could be fairly visual, but I'm challenged trying to see what pictures I can visualize in my mind right now. When I'm writing, I definitely don't see the words floating across my brain, but I also don't tend to see a movie playing out first. I usually get some idea or innate sense of a character or situation first, and start imagining or recognizing their mental and emotional traits, or the conflict they find themselves in, and how they're reacting to that. And I may hear bits of dialogue in my head, or hear my brain narrating how they're moving or behaving or reacting to something. So I feel like I'm mostly writing from "spirit" as well, but as I bear down on a scene (especially action or where physical choreography is key), I feel like I visualize that more in order to transcribe it. So I definitely can visualize to some degree, but it doesn't seem to be where I start, more a tool that I reach for at some point when necessary.
Do you see images when you dream? I think that's one reason I would've said I was pretty visual if asked before I read this post, because I frequently have vivid dreams that feel like they're scenes from a movie (even if they end up making no sense).
This was a great discussion in the comments--I really appreciate everyone's descriptions of their process, because it helped me discern my own a little better. It's funny how hard it is to describe when I was thinking it through. Even thinking about how I read--I *can* see scenes play out if I try to picture them, but I mostly feel the emotions I think. I live the experience more through feelings than pictures. And when I'm reading, I hear the words in my mind, like my brain is also reading aloud to me. Which is perhaps why I'm not a super fast reader (not that I want to be, because I usually want to slow down and enjoy the experience if I like a book, even if part of me wants to rush to know what happens next). But I can only "hear" the words so fast. And sometimes I'll get tripped up if the author emphasizes what my brain thinks is the "wrong" word in a line of dialogue or action, because my brain pauses to reread it and find the way *it* thinks the line should sound.
But ironically, I'm definitely a visual learner; I'm not a great auditory learner. So who the heck knows what's going on in my brain? Both fascinating and nonsensical!
I never knew this was a thing. Ignorantly, I assumed that all writers saw their story as a movie in their minds.
I recently listened to The Lies of Locke Lamora. And it has some of the most entrancing world building and rhythm to it. And at the same time I had to keep pausing it wondering - how in the world did someone create a gritty, fantasy world with so detailed sectors and story structure?? How did they map that?? How did they embody each place so distinctly?? That’s why I discovered I lean so heavily on Pinterest for developing story boards for settings and plot. It helps me get the feel and give me a visual for stories and characters that I can’t “see”.
96-98% of the population are phantasics?! Insane!
Architect and illustrator here and I relate to this so much. I’m almost always a 1 - and I’m constantly surprised when a piece of illustration is finished and I can look at the whole composition. I really have no clue how it all came together but somehow it always does (thankfully!). I also never got into the habit of doing thumbnail sketches and go for the final layout without realizing.
This is intriguing Evelyn! I'm probably a 3 or 4, seeing films in my head as I read. As music is inherently part of me, I sometimes hear a theme for each character - not like a Darth Vader theme, but notes or style. ;-) If I read in French there's more music.
I was wondering if the print is a linear text dialogue, for you? From various psychometric tests - part of interviews and leadership training I did, I know I'm more of a visual thinker and strategist - so mindmaps and spherical thinking or tree-branching brainstorms are my 'norm' ;-) My content calendar is more collage than linear list ;-) This is why I love interlinking articles here on Substack rather than writing a book...for now.
It's a very unique ability.
Hi, Evelyn, I see images of scenes and characters like a movie. I was talking with another Writer about it and we both agreed it’s kind of unexplainable. I’ve never heard of Aphantasia. Thank you for sharing that and being honest. I hope you see it as a superpower. I love your approach to your art. It sounds like it’s very intuitive. Wow— to feel the words…that’s powerful and deep and sounds like a beautiful experience. Ps the picture you included of the Paris cafe looks so cozy and inviting.
I can’t visualize, and it took a long time for me to discover that was really a thing. I never thought about how it plays into my writing, but when it comes to visual art, it means I need a reference to draw from. Interesting to think about this from a writing angle, too.
Similarly:
when you read, do you hear the words?
when you hear, do you see the words?
I've written about my experience too, except I'm an artist and illustrator.
I will share my article about my aphantasia because I know it was written with the same intention as yours, to make sure people know it is possible to be creative regardless. Yes it is a different way of thinking and I thought it may be a huge detriment to drawing and painting but I find very little difference in performance compared to my peers.
So for whomever needs to read this.
- Yes you can be an artist or creative writer and excel at it, as long as you realize the methods of learning others use may not apply to you, just find a different way of getting to the same place.
https://marcodblanco.substack.com/p/i-have-aphantasia-can-i-become-an