I don’t have a problem with imagination. I write books that are often praised for clear and evocative visual description. I’m asked by people if I’ve climbed rock faces, fought with swords or even had cancer, because my descriptions of these experiences have convinced people who have actually lived them that I must have, too. (I haven’t.)
I also recall Stanisław Lem, the science fiction author, mentioning in one of his nonfiction books that he never visualizes anything when he writes (or reads, I don’t remember) visual descriptions. He wrote this some 50 years ago, so aphantasia wasn’t recognized at the time, but it sounds like he had it. I’ve read most of his novels, but I’m unsure whether he included fewer visual descriptions than comparable authors. Mark Lawrence says he doesn’t know whether aphantasia affects his writing style.
[Here](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/apr/01/being-an-author-with-aphantasia-mark-lawrence) is an article by Mark Lawrence, a fantasy author with aphantasia. Quote:
I also recall Stanisław Lem, the science fiction author, mentioning in one of his nonfiction books that he never visualizes anything when he writes (or reads, I don’t remember) visual descriptions. He wrote this some 50 years ago, so aphantasia wasn’t recognized at the time, but it sounds like he had it. I’ve read most of his novels, but I’m unsure whether he included fewer visual descriptions than comparable authors. Mark Lawrence says he doesn’t know whether aphantasia affects his writing style.