conscious mind for guidance. When he came out of the trance, he
looked down and on his lap was a group of comic books. He didn’t
know what to think of them. He also didn’t have any time to think
about them. Right then the doorbell rang and Erickson had to go
to see a client.
But he didn’t forget about the comic books.
What did the comic books mean?
What was his unconscious telling him?
What do youthink was going on?
Erickson realized—maybe the next day—that comic books are
written in a very simple and direct style. There are very few words,
lots of pictures, and every idea gets communicated in a brief but
effective way. Everyone understands comics.
That was it!
Erickson understood that his unconscious mind was urging him
to write his paper in the same way comic books are written—sim-
ply, clearly, and directly. There’s no need to use big words or con-
fusing concepts. Just say what you have to say in terms even a child
could understand.
Aha! That was another insight!
Comic books are written so children can make sense of them.
They are also written so adults can appreciate them. Erickson knew
he had to communicate his ideas so simply that even a child could
grasp his meaning. He knew that if he expressed himself in simple
terms, every adult would be able to understand him.
This is an important lesson for you and me.
What I encourage writers to do is pretend they are writing their
letter or article for children. If you can imagine a child reading—
and understanding—your writing, then you will write in a way
that everyonewill understand. In fact, go out and finda child and
talk to him about your next writing project. That child will help
you clarify what you are trying to say.
Communication, after all, is yourresponsibility. If someone
doesn’t understand your writing, it means you didn’t succeed in
writing clear and direct material.A Writing Lesson from the World’s Greatest Hypnotistccc_hypnotic_112-114_ch27.qxd 11/3/06 3:03 PM Page 113