Able Quote by Diana Wynne Jones
“Imagination doesn’t just mean making things up. It means thinking things through, solving them, or hoping to do so, and being just distant enough to be able to laugh at things that are normally painful. Head teachers would call this escapism, but they would be entirely wrong. I would call fantasy the most serious, and the most useful, branch of writing there is. And this is why I don’t, and never would, write Real Books.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Writing philosophy, 1995
Fantasy is a serious, useful tool for problem‑solving and emotional distance, not mere escapism.
In simple terms: Fantasy helps solve problems and view pain with humor.
Key Takeaway
Use fantasy to explore and heal.
Themes
imagination
problem solving
emotional distance
Mood
thoughtful
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- therapy
- storytelling
- education
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
creative writing
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can fantasy improve real‑world problem solving?
- When does escapism become harmful?
A Different Perspective
May overlook practical constraints of real-world solutions.
