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What happens when harmless potentialities peel themselves from the inert background, become fully animate and dimensional, and intrude on our mental and physical space? What characters desire, and what we as readers desire for the characters, can be so simple and solid, but what they actually get as a result of their pursuit is complicated, unstable, and fluid, especially when those desires involve other characters and their desires and complexity. Or, what you want might be difficult or impossible to name, but it hears you calling it anyway, and it answers with full, unavoidable force.

This collection contains quite a few longer short stories, which to me feel like a different breed of story. What are your thoughts on the long short story? I used to teach high school English, and sometimes students would grouse about how hyper-interpretive English teachers are.

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It seemed silly to some of them that we could seemingly find symbolic meaning in even the most banal detail and that we were seemingly encouraging them to do the same thing. Being good at English class, some of them felt, meant being good at finding bullshitting? Of course their characterization of literary instruction was an exaggerated one, but I bring it up for a reason.

They feel airless to me, and each sentence feels merely and so embarrassingly instrumental, as though it has been written in color-coded neon ink, to be read through a megaphone. Since a number of my stories are journeys, a greater length helps me engage and take advantage of the interesting possibilities inherent to that shape, such as detours and random encounters. I like that I can slow down the pace and find layers to explore.

The way that you handle time in these stories is so complex and so delicate that at times, I found myself gasping. And I think what you demonstrate so deftly in these stories is how that moment is really a summation of moments.

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In your stories, everything is always happening at the same time. Can you talk a bit about your approach and your thoughts on time? But my experience has been that the past can be as or more! Jones and Alice Munro, whose stories convey the past just as vividly as the present.


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We see again and again, the men in these stories trying to connect with each other and with the women in their lives who occupy an array of complicated roles. It seemed to me that collection was not interested in masculinity writ large so much as the ways in which masculinity made intimacy more difficult to achieve or maintain. I want to thank you for this question. It stimulates their mind to think beyond the concrete. It allows them to imagine better. There have been several studies that show children retain information at higher rates when they are learned through fantasy stories and play.

The children in the fantasy group could define significantly more words than the non-fiction group. It fosters their belief in possibility. This often results in children who are hopeful and more optimistic. Children truly believe their thoughts materialize into reality.


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Take the movie Home Alone for example, Kevin truly believes he made his family disappear. Adults have an easier time dismissing stories, but children internalize and believe them much more readily. I hear parents often complain about children lying, but for young children the line between truth and desire is indistinguishable. The truth is what they want it to be, and sometimes what they think you want to hear. The focus on good vs evil further instills moral codes into children. Most fairy tales and fantasy stories often have morals embedded within them, and entire societies benefit from instilling these in children from a young age.

Deena Weisberg, concluded that children learn and retain information better when they involve imagination. The belief that at some point things will go well and that tough times can be weathered. Optimism is a very healthy personality type to have. However, good vs evil is an adult concept, and not one most children will naturally connect to a story.

The ability for abstract thinking does not develop until 11—16 years old. Prior to this, children will explain the action of a story or repeat quotes from a character; their focus is on the literal and not the broad generalizations. As adults we can help children to develop this skill by discussing larger concepts with them. Explaining abstract moral lessons from a movie will help them to begin connecting those lessons from a story.

Most children will not be able to naturally connect broad moral lessons from a book or movie, but they will if they are being asked a lot of guiding questions. So, fantasy stories can be a great tool in reinforcing morals, but it will need adult guidance to have a lasting influence. Kids like for heroes to win! We are trying to teach our children to be good people, and having our messages echoed in their entertainment only further instills the values we preach to them.

Watching a beloved character act morally and win in the end helps reinstate what parents are telling them. A book or movie on their own may not be sufficient, but when paired with parental guidance it can make a huge impact. Escaping harsh realities through fantasy is a healthy way of managing the stress of everyday living.

All Those Drawn to Me

We all find a way to escape from time to time, and fantasy reading or shows are a lot healthier than escaping through drugs or alcohol. Whether you do it with a fantasy story, video game, vacation, or television is a personal preference. Some do it through meditation or prayer. So take a cue from him. Watch how he greets Bill Clinton , no slouch at this either.

Clinton takes a step forward avoiding the "you must come to me" power move ; Mandela steps forward with a smile and bends forward as if, ever so slightly, to bow a clear sign of deference and respect in nearly every culture ; Clinton does the same. What you have are two important people who put aside all sense of self-importance or status. Next time you meet someone, relax, step forward, tilt your head towards them, smile, and show that you're the one who is honored by the introduction -- not them.

We all like people who like us. If I show you I'm genuinely happy to meet you, you'll instantly start to like me. And you'll show that you do, which will help calm my nerves and let me be myself. Nonsexual touch can be very powerful.

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Yes, I'm aware that sexual touch can be powerful too. Touch can influence behavior, increase the chances of compliance, and make the person doing the touching seem more attractive and friendly. Go easy, of course: Pat the other person lightly on the upper arm or shoulder. Make it casual and nonthreatening.

The Psychology of Fantasy

Check out Clinton's right-hand-shakes-hands-left-hand-touches-Mandela's-forearm-a-second-later handshake in the link above and tell me, combined with his posture and smile, that it doesn't come across as genuine and sincere. Think the same won't work for you? The next time you walk up behind a person you know, touch them lightly on the shoulder as you go by. I guarantee you'll feel like a more genuine greeting was exchanged. You talk for 15 minutes. You walk away thinking, "Wow, we just had a great conversation.

Then, when you think about it later, you realize you didn't learn a thing about the other person. Remarkably likable people are masters at Social Jiujitsu, the ancient art of getting you to talk about yourself without you ever knowing it happened.