Almost anyone who is close to someone who has been physically threatened or attacked knows how false most fictional portrayals of the aftermath of violence may be. If you believed most of what you see, you'd probably suppose that those who are attacked ought to just slug back a shot of whiskey and re-enter the fray, go after their attackers. This is far from reality, and I think perpetuating this myth does a great disservice to those who have survived violence, and often makes them feel a sense of shame they do not deserve. Being oblivious to risk isn't bravery. I prefer to write about the sort of courage that is summoned up in the face of real fear.
Fiction does entertain.
But at its best, fiction also rings true with the reader, resonates in some way. In a previous interview with Writers Write , you discussed characterization and the importance of establishing an understanding of the villain's point of view, as well as that of the protagonists. You also discussed your interest in theme, of exploring a question in a subtle way that may not be apparent to your readers but which provides the direction for your plot. A story can emerge from any of these, and to me they are inseparable, although the plot evolves out of the first two. It is important to me to know what a book is about, in the sense of theme, very early on.