....results

     I talked to B yesterday, presented my argument I explained in my last blog, and he agreed. He actually sees a value in fiction. The funny part was that he, at first, got defensive and  gave me an example of a work of fiction he enjoyed which I had to point out was actually a true story (or so the author claims). He then explained that although he understood and agreed that fiction has a purpose, he had trouble actually visualizing the places and events in these stories. When asked what the difference was between reading historical accounts and battles he used the example of Harry Potter. (He actually at this point tried to use Twilight as an example of something I read. When I looked at him with the "not in a million years" glare he switched to Harry Potter. At this point I must apologize to Jenna for not having attempted to read this work with an open mind. I am still traumatized from being coerced into watching the movie. Wow, the things I do for my daughter. I will now stop wandering and return to our previous discussion.) B says it is difficult for him to imagine all the details J.K. Rowling describes. I did not see the difference between that and visualizing a battle. At this he gave me a bit of a shocked look like he had an epiphany. Deciding to go with this, I asked him who writes the accounts of battle he reads; about which he had no idea. Going further I mentioned that these accounts may not be completely factual since the people writing them were not there and that even if they were their view was slanted. After throwing in the old saying about the victors being the authors of history, my argument was complete. When he agreed with me, I asked if he thought he might try reading a work of fiction. He gave me a deer in the headlights look, but said he would be willing to try. I am going to try to select a story that is not too fanciful and give it to him as a gift. It's the least I can do since I used him as a guinea pig.
     This is only one person, but maybe it's a start. I know this argument will not work for everyone, but if it even works for a few it's worth it. Those of us who love literature are the keepers of the keys to the kingdom of books. We are the humble followers of the secular author gods who further their interests by recommending their works and as our reward we may receive the gift of another story.