Your Imagination and You

Whether you are an avid reader of books or an avid listener of plays on radio, undeniably, your imagination works overtime, conjuring up in your mind what the characters you have been introduced to may look like. The same is true from the point of view of the writer. Whether I’m writing a short story or a novel-length work, in the back of my mind, I have a mental vision of each character, no matter what mood they may be in any given set of circumstances. The hard part is to convey that image of those characters to the reader. The reading experience can be a deeply personal and enriching journey filled with diverse emotions, thoughts, and insights. It encompasses a wide range of elements, each contributing to the overall experience of engaging with written content. Here's a breakdown of the key aspects that make up the reading experience:

1. Selection of Material

The choice of reading material significantly influences the experience. Whether it's fiction or non-fiction, a novel, a scientific article, or poetry, different genres and forms evoke distinct emotions and thoughts.

2. Immersion and Engagement

Good writing has the power to immerse readers in a different world. Engaging narratives, compelling characters, and vivid descriptions make readers feel like they are part of the story, evoking empathy and understanding.

3. Emotional Resonance

Words can evoke a wide array of emotions—joy, sadness, fear, empathy, and even anger. A well-written piece has the ability to make readers feel deeply connected to the characters and the events, eliciting emotional responses that linger long after the reading is done.

4. Intellectual Stimulation

Reading challenges the mind. It introduces new ideas, perspectives, and information, stimulating intellectual curiosity and expanding knowledge. It encourages critical thinking and analysis.

5. Visualization

Descriptive writing helps readers visualize scenes, characters, and actions. The ability to create mental images from words enhances the reading experience, making the story more vivid and memorable.

6. Empathy and Understanding

Reading about diverse characters and cultures fosters empathy and understanding. It allows readers to step into the shoes of others, promoting tolerance and acceptance of different viewpoints and lifestyles.

7. Escapism

Books offer an escape from reality. They provide a temporary refuge from the stresses of everyday life, allowing readers to travel to different worlds and experience adventures and situations they might never encounter otherwise.

8. Reflection and Contemplation

Reading often prompts introspection. A thought-provoking passage or a profound idea can lead to moments of reflection, where readers contemplate their own beliefs, experiences, and values.

9. Influence and Inspiration

Certain books have the power to inspire and influence readers. They can shape perspectives, ignite passions, and even drive social change. The words of influential authors have the ability to resonate deeply with readers, motivating them to take action.

10. Personal Connection

The reading experience can be deeply personal. Readers often find solace, companionship, and a sense of belonging in the characters and stories they encounter, creating a unique and intimate connection with the material. In essence, the reading experience is a multi-faceted journey that combines the artistry of the writer with the imagination and emotions of the reader. It is a transformative process that can broaden horizons, deepen understanding, and provide endless opportunities for exploration and growth. In my own case, I attempt to do it by their actions and reactions, their moods, their environment, and their interaction with the other characters inhabiting the page alongside them at the time. To be believable, your characters have almost to appear to be alive in your mind and that of your reader. When I was growing up, I spent countless thousands of hours with my head buried in a book. Most excellently written books do not contain illustrations, meaning the author leaves it up to you to ‘picture’ the scene in your mind. This is all to the good. These days, however, there is a tendency among the growing number of lazy adult readers of this world to demand books be crammed with pictures. Where’s the fun in that? Picture books are for small children! Having everything laid out before your eyes, leaving nothing to the imagination, is, to my mind – nothing short of criminal. A well-conceived cover picture on a paperback or the dust jacket of its more expensive cousin, the hardback, is one thing, but to want to have each bend in the story illustrated within an inch of its life defeats the whole purpose and experience of reading. Reading is a cerebral pleasure designed to relax and divert you. Don’t insult writers by demanding that the books you want be filled with illustrations. Yes, I’m talking to you! For those lazy adults among you, I repeat myself just once more – picture books are for kids. Be brave and adult about it when you next visit your nearest bookstore. Pick up a book full of text. Buy it and take it home. Sit back and open it to page one. Then, for a few hours, experience the joyous delight of exercising your imagination. Take it from me, it’s a wonderful feeling.