Summary of Key Points
British author Janet Winthrop attended the 2026 Shanghai Book Fair with her new book, "Love Is Like Lifting a Heavy Stone Without Knowing Why." During her talk, she discussed topics such as "writing and love": She views writing as a means of creating a new world, believes that love is not a commodity but a process (friends are more important than lovers), and considers imagination to be a "superpower" against consumerism. She also mentioned that while AI can replicate works, it cannot understand the "emotional process" behind human creation. Winthrop revealed her plans to adapt her classic book "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit" into a musical and to write a practical guide on writing.
1. Writing is not about "telling stories"; it's about re-creating the world
Raised by devout Christian adoptive parents who wanted her to become a missionary, Winthrop found the theme of abandonment in the Bible and used writing to rewrite her own destiny. Her first book, "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit," uses biblical chapters but tells the story of love between women that was not accepted by society at the time. This is how she defines writing as creating a new world: through words, she turned her experiences into stories, giving visibility to emotions that were otherwise overlooked.
She strongly opposes the notion that "art is a luxury for the wealthy." She argues that children naturally have the ability to draw and tell stories, which are essential components of being human. Imagination, in her view, allows us to envision a world that has not yet taken shape—a world with more inclusive love and equal relationships. This imagination is not about escapism but about actively challenging dominant values (such as a society that values money above everything else).
2. Love is not a "commodity"; friends are more reliable than lovers
Winthrop emphasizes that love encompasses feelings for parents, children, and friends, and it is a challenging process. She shares personal experiences of loneliness and un understood love, highlighting the reality of these emotions.
When asked how to persevere when not accepted by others, she offers two suggestions: accept loneliness and analyze its causes (is it due to friends or lovers?), and seek out like-minded people—friends who truly respect your thoughts. She also encourages self-reflection on one's own worth, drawing inspiration from stories to understand who you are.
3. Imagination is your "superpower"; don't let consumerism deceive you
Coming from a poor family, Winthrop never felt lacking. She believes that consumerism constantly makes us feel inadequate (e.g., the need for new clothes or phones), but imagination is a powerful tool. You can create anything in your mind without spending money. She points out that children worldwide love to tell stories, yet schools often focus on science and technology, treating art as a luxury. She believes that engaging in something you love (like writing or drawing) is a way of resisting a materialistic world; it's not a waste of time but an act of being true to yourself.
4. AI can replicate works, but not the "process" of human creation
When asked if AI could learn about love from her books, Winthrop jokes that AI companies have used her works as data and even offered her money to buy an AI girlfriend. However, she emphasizes that while AI can produce content quickly, the value of human creation lies in the thought process and the emotional experiences involved in writing.
She encourages young people to remember that AI only replicates; we create something unique. If you don't like the status quo, change it. Human imagination is always stronger than AI.
5. Future plans: Adapting "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit" into a musical and teaching writing
Winthrop is collaborating with the Royal Shakespeare Company to turn "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit" into a musical, with a release expected in 2027, and she hopes to perform in Shanghai. She is also working on a book about writing, as many existing guides are ineffective. She mentions that her best students at Manchester University were Chinese.
The essence of her talk is that no matter how realistic the world seems, you can use writing, imagination, and love to create your own "new world."