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!

I fully agree that if the writing is good enough and descriptive enough, it doesn’t matter if you can “see” it or not. And for the record, I don’t think one manner of perception is superior to another in any way–just unique.

I also get the testiness. I did hesitate before posting, wondering if this had been asked a million times. Part of my inquiry comes from a desire to write better and read more books I otherwise wouldn’t have–are there things I don’t notice because of my default perception that someone else might?