I know some people think it is a waste of time to read fiction. There's nothing to learn. The brain isn't stimulated.
Well, I completely disagree.
No, the purpose of fiction is not to learn facts, but I sure as hell learn a lot when I read it. If I'm reading a book about a rancher, I learn a little bit about what it's like to work that job. If I read a book about a fashion student, I learn a little bit about design and clothing. If I read a book about a football player, yeah, I learn a little more about something I knew nothing about before reading the book.
And yes, all of these scenarios are books I have recently read.
My point is that fiction does not have the main goal of informing it's readers, but the readers sure do learn something.
I read fiction for entertainment and escape. I like to forget my daily life and lose myself in another world. When I read Lone Star Trouble, it was real fun to "travel" to Texas and "meet" some people who raised cattle, got dirty, and worked hard. I never knew so much about vintage clothing until I "met" Lizzie Nichols in Queen of Babble and it was really interesting. Made me wanna peruse some yard sales for fabric treasures. And as a girly girl, it was super interesting to immerse myself in the world of a female high school quarterback in Catching Jordan.
I read for pleasure and entertainment....and if I learn something too, great. I don't think it makes me a less of a person because the books I choose to read are filled with imaginary people. As an author I know how difficult it is to create and imaginary world and do the research necessary to also make it realistic and believable.
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There is enough in real life to bring me down. It's nice to escape into something with a guaranteed happy ending. And the journey is the best part, getting to know and relate to the characters as they work through their flaws and strengths. Like you, I love getting a glimpse of the bayou or what it's like to live in a yurt in Mongolia.
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