"If I could find anything blacker than black, I'd use it." – J. M. W. Turner, Born Apr. 23, 1775.

This email is about the implications of this quote, not the quote itself.

Turner couldn't find paint that was any blacker than the colours he used. He could never actually accurately show people the images in his mind.

But through the simple use of words, he was able to describe a thing that did not exist precisely.

With that description, we can understand what he meant, even though he is describing something that did not exist.

Do you get it?

The imagination is a simulator.

But unlike any other simulator we know of, it can simulate things that do not exist.

Paint is a simulator.

Clay is.

Even computers are.

But computers can't imagine the way a human brain can. 🧠

The brain can do it with excellent fidelity and can do it unbound by the physical and material limitations of the world we in which we live.

That is why, out of all other artists, writers have a unique advantage.

Even now, where we can create a 3D visuals of anything one can imagine those visuals must still be visible to the eyes.

And so it is with music. No musician can create music that goes beyond the sounds that human ears can hear.

But in writing, I just described to you the possibility of music that goes beyond what the human ear can hear. You can imagine it, even if you will never listen to it.

Borges once said that if you can't write the greatest book ever written, you can write a story about the greatest book ever written, and still be the creator of it.

Writing can create images that the eyes couldn't even detect. Words can make thoughts and desires visible. Words can describe experiences that defy visual representation. Same with all senses. Same with memories. Same with fantasies and daydreams and hopes.

And that is why we writers are powerful.

And dangerous. 👀

We can break the limitations of reality and put ideas in people's minds.

We can program the most sophisticated simulation machine ever known, and we can override and exceed the natural sensory inputs that usually limit this imagination engine.

Do you realize how amazing that is?

Do you realize how terrible that is?

Well-written work can create involuntary and irresistible changes in the reader's mind.

And I can do this.

You can do this.

Anyone literate has this power over any other literate person.

What can we do with it?

What can't we?

I use it to get people to give me money.

Any other ideas?

Regards,

Brent.

P.S. A great place to learn how to write in ways that influence people is through email.

Each email can be entertaining, informative, or a sales pitch.

Or all three in the one email.

You get almost instant feedback on how well your email has performed by the responses you get.

If the email doesn't get opened, the subject line (aka headline) didn't attract attention.

If any links don't get clicked, you haven't convinced the reader to visit the site in question.

If you have something for sale, but they don't buy, it all comes back to your compelling writing.

Email, a great way to hone your writing skills.

But it helps if you have a responsive email list to start writing for.

Here is the best way to build a super responsive email list.

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