Chapter XVI: On Using the Imagination

Posted on 2007-Dec-9 at 12:08 - Post Comment

"I want to say something about using the imagination. Everybody has it, though not believing in it enough. People when they write, try to hard, try to force it. [...] but  now I know that imagination comes, works, when you're not trying, when you have a peculiar passive clarity. [...]

When you launch on a story, make your neck loose, feel free, good natured. and be lazy. Feel that you're going to throw it away. Try writing utterly unplanned stories and see what comes out. [...]

Here is another suggestion that might help you:

I have said that art is a generosity, i.e., you tell somebody something not to show off but because you want to share it with them. ...That is why it helps often to have an imaginary listener when you're writing, telling a story, so that you will be interesting and convincing throughout."