So Far in Such Small Distance: Using Expansive Economy to Energize Stories and Readers

Abstract: In this reflective piece, the author explores the concept of "expansive economy" in narrative, illustrating how stories can traverse vast distances spatially and temporally within a compact framework. Starting with a childhood project titled "My Place in the Universe," the author is struck by the swift movement from the personal to the cosmic. Drawing parallels with Thornton Wilder's Our Town and works by Elspeth Davie, the author demonstrates how literature can encapsulate entire lives and existential themes in concise passages. The essay argues for the value of rapid narrative transitions that allow readers to journey through varied experiences, ultimately challenging traditional notions of structure in storytelling.