At readings, audience members sometimes ask if I keep writing past the two hours if I'm on a roll, but I don't. I figure that if I'm on a roll, it's partially because I know I'm about to stop. Aimee Bender audiencefigurehour Change image and share on social
There's a spectrum of those moments of connection and the moments we fail to connect, going from super-large successes to failures. Success would be love, I guess, and failure could still be love, but the bad side; and loss. Aimee Bender badconnectconnection share on social
I really like feeling connected to people and feeling like I have a good, solid sense of empathy. Aimee Bender connectempathyfelt Change image and share on social
For me as a person, friendships are incredibly important to me, but in writing, they can distract me. Aimee Bender distractfriendshipimportant Change image and share on social
Some creative writing programs seem evil, but my experience at Irvine was totally the opposite, where I feel like they were really good at focusing in on each writers voice and setting. When I felt like I was obligated to write a story that was more typical, no one really liked it. Aimee Bender creativeevilexperience share on social
In terms of foods for me, I think I have more of the usual associations - foods from childhood that I associate with care and love, from relatives or special restaurants like the kind elderly man who dusted seasoning salt on French fries at the corner burger joint. Aimee Bender associateassociationburger share on social
I think teaching keeps me honest because if I'm up in front of a class talking about what I think is important about fiction while knowing I myself have just failed to do that hours earlier at my computer - it's a good and humbling reminder. Aimee Bender classcomputerearly share on social
One thing I don't want to feel is marketplace pressure, so I'm really glad I enjoy teaching because I can rely on that for a salary. I think it would be such a different game if I had to write a book that has to sell well. Aimee Bender bookenjoyfeel share on social
Writing can be a frightening, distressing business, and whatever kind of structure or buffer is available can help a lot. Aimee Bender bufferbusinessdistress Change image and share on social
I noticed, when I taught elementary school, how true the squeaky wheel thing is, and how endearing squeaky wheels can be! Because when you're being a squeaky wheel, you're also really letting people know who you are. Aimee Bender elementaryendearlet share on social