This morning, I realized for the first time that my partner of 11 years has aphantasia–difficulty picturing things in his mind’s eye. I, on the other hand, have a very vivid mental camera.

I started thinking about our different reading preferences and wondering to what degree our mind’s eyes affect them. I read a lot of fantasy, speculative fiction, and horror in paperback and audio. My partner is a voracious reader of comics, graphic novels, and manga.

We also have different writing styles. I like to focus on the environment in my writing, and my partner often focuses on mechanics.

So I’m wondering: do you have aphantasia or not, or something in between? What do you like to read, and how does your inner perception affect the way you engage with the books?

  • confettiflowers@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I have aphantasia and read a lot of fiction (basically everything except for romance and horror) and non-fiction (mainly memoirs and random subjects). Even though I can’t picture anything, I still enjoy reading mostly everything.

    Describing how I picture books in my head while I read is difficult. I don’t have any mental imagery, but somehow I just “know” what the author is trying to show. It’s like an extremely weird sixth sense.

    As far as writing goes, I focus on environments more than mechanics, but they’re both in there. I feel like I’m a better writer due to the aphantasia because I only think in words.

    I guess in a way it doesn’t really affect me since I was born with it. I only found out a few years ago that the majority of people can actually see things in their imagination while awake. I just assumed everyone thought of things like I did. Imagine the shock that was haha. It took me awhile to get over the disappointment. I’m still slightly jealous of people who can just picture a cow or whatever off the top of their heads.

    I have insanely visual dreams though! I got that going for me at least. ;)

    • salt-moth@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I would absolutely believe that aphantasia helps with writing. I often have trouble finding the right word to go with the image in my head and can get frustrated in trying to describe it. I feel almost the opposite of you sometimes – a jealousy at being able to think in words!