Hypothetical-question time:
You’ve just been introduced to the classic visitor from outer space. He (or is it she?) is in a hurry — in fact, will be leaving in about 20 seconds, starting, say, now — but has a super-important question which needs answering. How you answer is to determine whether the saucers will (a) blow Earth up or (b) let her (or is it him?) continue on its stately course through the stars, through terrestrial history, and through the annals of intergalactic comedy.
Here’s the question:
We are very interested in this thing you call ‘fiction.’ But we do not understand it, and it is the last thing on my chop-chop must-do last-minute checklist before reporting back to Grand Inquisitor Xarg. I need to get going. Can you please give me one word so that I may understand it?
(Tip: “Uhhhh…” will not count as a valid reply. Nor will “Wait!”)
So what’s your answer? And if you yourself write novels or short stories, what’s the one word which is the key to understanding your fiction in particular?
