To all writers. What comes to mind when you hear the name, Albert Einstein? Most likely, you’ll think genius, physicist, scientist, theoretical mastermind. While Einstein is more commonly known for this theory of relativity, you may not realize his creative genius in the use of imagination and fantasy as a means toward solving the mysteries of the universe.

He seemed to understand the value of imagination and fantasy, as he explains, “When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.” – – Albert Einstein

After having read, Ideas and Opinions, by Albert Einstein [based on Mein Weltbild, edited by Carl Seelig Crown Publishers, New York], I was in awe of his willingness to embrace all things spiritual as you can see in this quote, “The finest emotion of which we are capable is the mystic emotion. Herein lies the germ of all art and all true science…” – Albert Einstein. I was inspired not in a scientific way, but in a creative way. The result was my first novel, Remembering Olympus.

For all intents and purposes, he considered himself a spiritual man, stating “To know that what is impenetrable for us really exists…as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty…[this] is the core of the true religious sentiment. In this sense, and in this sense alone, I rank myself among profoundly religious men.” – Albert Einstein

What does all of this have to do with writing? Smart provocative stories are the products of creative minds and a creative mind is the culmination of imagination and the ability to fantasize impossibilities as possibilities.

For more on this subject, be sure to read “Einstein’s Gift of Fantasy” by Michael Michalko. Even though it focuses on the ‘how-to’s of creative thinking, the spirit of the article can also speak to the challenges of writers with regard to the daunting tasks of originality and craft. As Mr. Michalko states in his article, “Think of impossibility, and then try to come up with ideas that take you as close as possible to that impossibility… Imagination gives us the impertinence to imagine making the impossible possible.”