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Richard Deming is an award-winning poet and critic, whose work explores the intersections of literature, philosophy, and visual culture. He’s the author of five books, including Day for Night and Art of the Ordinary. Richard teaches at Yale University where he is the Director of Creative Writing and joins me today on Uncorking a Story to discuss his latest book THIS EXQUISITE LONELINESS: What Loners, Outcasts, and the Misunderstood Can Teach Us About Creativity. Key Themes Loneliness is a normal human response and not a condition that needs to be fixed; it can also fuel creativity.  It is essential to strike a balance between spending time alone, which is important for self-reflection and creative processes, and seeking social connections for support. We are inherently born into loneliness, and there is a persistent desire to find a sense of belonging which can be a driving force in our lives and creativity. Loneliness can be experienced by anyone, even those in long marriages, indicating it's not just about being physically alone. It's not the mere presence of others that prevents loneliness, but the depth and intimacy of connections with others that alleviate feelings of loneliness. Buy This Exquisite Loneliness: What Loners, Outcasts, and the Misunderstood Can Teach Us About Creativity Amazon: https://amzn.to/3tBIZnf Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9780593492512 Connect With Richard Website: https://english.yale.edu/people/adjunct-professors-and-senior-lecturers-full-part-time-lecturers-creative-writers-officers Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices