Charles Dickens "imaged forth" His Novels

"I didn't stir out yesterday," he told his friend, John Forster on 29 January 1841, "but sat and thought all day; not so much as a cross of a t or the dot of an i. I imaged forth a good deal of Barnaby by keeping my mind steadily upon him; and am happy to say that I have gone to work this morning in good twig, strong hope, and cheerful spirits."

Introduction to Barnaby Rudge