A facsimile reproduction of BR's answers to Hutchinson's questionnaire on "The Technique of Creative Thought", in the hand of Doreen Joan, is found in Hutchinson's book, How to Think Creatively, pages 110–12. Further remarks by BR are found on pages 19–20 and 134.

On page 112, BR comments, "In all the creative work that I have done, what has come first is a problem, a puzzle involving discomfort. Then comes concentrated voluntary thought involving great effort. After this a period without conscious thought and finally a solution involving the complete plan of a book. This last stage is usually sudden."

The above passage by Russell also appears on pages 19–20, with the addition after "sudden", "and seems to be the important moment for subsequent achievement."

On page 134, BR says, "The moment of insight is exciting, like quick motoring".