"He invented this idea of telling the life story of a great writer through becoming his characters and becoming him. It was such a pleasure and I thought we must find another writer"

In this quote, Simon Callow is reviewing an innovative technique to storytelling, particularly in relation to the bio of a great author. Callow is likely discussing a method where the biographer or storyteller immerses themselves in the life and works of their topic by embodying the characters that the author produced, and in doing so, also steps into the shoes of the writer themselves. This ingenious approach surpasses conventional biography, which generally includes narrating a topic's life occasions in a linear, historical style. Rather, it explores the author's psyche and creative spirit by engaging deeply with the literary worlds they crafted.

The phrase "becoming his characters and becoming him" suggests an understanding and performative expedition, one that blurs the lines in between the writer's imaginary characters and the real person behind them. By doing so, the writer gains a profound understanding of the author's inspirations, ideas, and feelings, permitting a more nuanced narrative that records the essence of the writer's life and work from the inside out.

Callow's reference of "It was such a pleasure" indicates that this method was both fulfilling and enjoyable, most likely since it uses a dynamic, intimate connection to the topic that can be as enhancing for the writer as it is informing for the audience. His eagerness to "discover another writer" to apply this approach to suggests that he sees great prospective in this technique for other literary figures, highlighting its capability to yield fresh insights and stories.

In summary, Callow is advocating for a pioneering and immersive method of informing an author's life story, one that humanizes and renews the biographical category by infusing it with the imaginative energy of the topics' own developments. This strategy not just deepens the writer's engagement with the subject but likewise guarantees to provide a richer, more brilliant experience for the audience.