All In The Mind cover image

All In The Mind

Fantasy and make believe — how our brains interpret fiction

Apr 23, 2023
Exploring the power of words in creating vivid images of mythical creatures in fiction, the capabilities of the human brain for imagination and its advantages, the clash between readers' visual interpretation and movie adaptations, the role of stories and art in shaping children's imaginations, and the emotional impact of written words.
29:10

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Imagination is fueled by memories, fairy tales, and mythology, allowing authors to create vivid descriptions of mythical creatures.
  • The brain's ability to assemble and reassemble stored visual elements allows for unique mental images and interpretations of stories.

Deep dives

The Power of Words to Create Imaginary Worlds

Author Rianne Williams, known for her fantasy novels, discusses how she creates fantastical creatures and worlds through her writing. Williams explains that her imagination is fueled by memories, fairy tales, mythology, and documentaries, which she pulls from when building her stories. By using a combination of interesting sounds and comparisons to familiar creatures, Williams creates vivid descriptions of her mythical creatures. The podcast also delves into the neuroscience behind imagination, highlighting how our brains can create images from words by recalling stored experiences and encoding visual concepts. Additionally, it explores why film adaptations of books may not match readers' visualizations, and how readers' unique imaginations contribute to their interpretation of a story's characters and world.

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