Sheila Heti on the Mystery of Lust
Author Sheila Heti recently sat down to discuss the creation of her short story, Earthly Delights. The conversation explores the nature of desire and why she chose to set a portion of the narrative in the afterlife. Originally commissioned for a series on the seven deadly sins, the story encountered an unexpected roadblock when the intended publication, revealed to be a religious organization, rejected the piece due to its focus on physical lust.
During the discussion, Heti highlights the difference between romantic attraction and the sudden, all-consuming onset of lust. She explains that she did not intend to write a story of pursuit or dissatisfaction in a committed relationship. Instead, she aimed to examine the act of sublimation, which she views as a vital force for those who pursue creative work. By moving the characters into a celestial setting, Heti bypassed the complications of reality to let the fantasy unfold on its own terms.
Beyond her latest fiction, Heti addresses her shift away from projects involving Artificial Intelligence. She describes a new sense of freedom in her writing process, noting that her recent work focuses more on imagination than the raw facts of her daily life. This period of creative momentum follows a long stretch where she felt restricted by more technical or restrictive editing tasks. The interview serves as a window into the mind of a writer currently pushing against her own boundaries.
Readers interested in the intersection of faith, art, and the body will find Heti's reflections on the mystery of attraction particularly grounding. The story Earthly Delights is now available for those who want to see these themes in action.