Ask The Author: Nathan Tavares

Nathan Tavares’s “Interior Spaces” was in the December Issue. Nathan answers questions about dressing slutty, cheating lovers and hidden rooms.

1. How would you dress slutty as a guy?

For me, it would be wearing anything other than my usual parka. Exposed forearms are really slutty.

2. Do you think I drive people away?

No. You’re awesome. But in a completely unrelated note, I have to cancel lunch with you tomorrow. I have, uh, plans.

3. Who would you lock in a room with no way to get out?

Katy Perry. She must be stopped.

4. How would you handle a cheating lover?

The old fashioned way: Revolver Guilt.

5. Why did you decide to use a hidden room asthe turn for this story?

I’ll be honest and say that the hidden room started off as the main reason for the story, just for the fun of it. Then, the challenge was to try to create a super realistic (especially psychologically) world, so that the room would be a fun surprise in the middle. Like a bon bon!

Sure, the story’s about a hidden room. But I also love the idea of sleight of hand in fiction. Besides the room, what is the story trying to get at? The room is pyrotechnics. Highlighting change in a fun way, so that (hopefully) the reader isn’t hit over the head with a big inflatable hammer that says, “THEME.” The room is there to get at the idea ofchange. How much of yourself should you be willing to change for another person?

Plus, isn’t it really creepy for something so weird to happen in your own home? The room is a breaking point in Elle’s tension-filled day.

6. What does your hidden room look like?

Normally, you’d have to buy me a drink before I answer a question like that.