Maybe I've spent too much time with Campbell and Jung, but I feel like fiction is at its strongest when it helps people to process and understand the human experience. I mean, I'm very much for pure escapism as well, but I think particularly in areas where someone hasn't directly been through something, encountering it in fiction in an environment conducive to teaching and the enhances such as you're using really helps the reader develop their empathy and awareness into new horizons.

It's definitely invaded my counseling style--I tend to lean towards helping people see themselves as protagonists of their own stories through stories and characters in a variety of roles they identify with strongly.

Thanks for linking me to the full series! I'm looking forward to getting to know your work.