How fiction can change reality

[rich]

not necessarily an escape but as DD says below making one feel less
alone, less uncomfortable which granted may entail some form of escape
but it may not

rich

INTERVIEWER

How do you imagine your audience?

DeLILLO

When my head is in the typewriter the last thing on my mind is some
imaginary reader. I don’t have an audience; I have a set of standards.
But when I think of my work out in the world, written and published, I
like to imagine it’s being read by some stranger somewhere who doesn’t
have anyone around him to talk to about books and writing—maybe a
would-be writer, maybe a little lonely, who depends on a certain kind
of writing to make him feel more comfortable in the world.

INTERVIEWER

I’ve read critics who say that your books are bound to make people
feel uncomfortable.

DeLILLO

Well, that’s good to know. But this reader we’re talking about—he
already feels uncomfortable. He’s very uncomfortable. And maybe what
he needs is a book that will help him realize he’s not alone.

On Tue, Aug 28, 2012 at 1:48 PM, Dave Monroe <against.the.dave at gmail.com> wrote:
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=ctaPAm14L10
>
> Reading and stories can be an escape from real life, a window into
> another world -- but have you ever considered how new fictional
> experiences might change your perspective on real, everyday life? From
> Pride and Prejudice to Harry Potter, learn how popular fiction can
> spark public dialogue and shape culture.
>
> http://ed.ted.com/lessons/jessica-wise-how-fiction-can-change-reality