Aimee Bender stands out as an exceptionally imaginative writer, known for her distinctive style and deft use of metaphors. Her upbringing in Santa Monica, California, laid a foundation rich in creativity and introspection. With a psychiatrist for a father and a dance teacher for a mother, Bender's early environment was a nurturing ground for the exploration of the mind and the arts.

Early Influences

Even as a child, Bender was encouraged to delve into self-reflection. Her father, a psychiatrist, introduced her to the intriguing connection between fear and anger, such as how she felt about thunder. This understanding became a cornerstone in her writing, influencing her later use of metaphors. Meanwhile, her mother, a choreographer, guided her in tapping into her subconscious, thereby enhancing her creative processes. These lessons merged into a unique blend of psychological and artistic insights that would distinctly shape her literary career.

Educational Journey

Bender's journey into writing began with promise but took a detour during her high school years when she shifted her focus to choir and theater at Palisades High School. She pursued this interest further at the University of California, San Diego, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in theater in 1991. Despite her aspirations in theater, graduate programs rejected her applications. Unfazed, she moved to San Francisco, where she taught reading to Russian immigrant children in an elementary school. This experience was pivotal: it bolstered her confidence in her writing abilities and provided rich material for future stories.

Graduate Studies and Literary Beginnings

Bender's acceptance into the University of California, Irvine's master’s of fine arts program in 1995 marked a turning point. At UCI, she gravitated towards myth and fairy tales, drawing inspiration from the likes of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen. Her literary heroes included Sylvia Plath, Bobby McFerrin, Alexander Calder, and Sigmund Freud, whose diverse influences can be seen in her eclectic style. During her time at UCI, her work began appearing in literary reviews, and she earned her degree in 1997. The university recognized her talent, offering her a fellowship to teach and edit the literary journal, Faultline.

Publishing Success

Bender's stories have graced the pages of numerous literary periodicals. Her debut piece, "Dreaming in Polish," appeared in the Santa Monica Review in 1995. This was quickly followed by "Skinless" in the Colorado Review in 1996. Other notable works include "Legacy" in the Cream City Review, "The Rememberer" in the Missouri Review, and "The Ring" published simultaneously. Her stories "What You Left in the Ditch," "Fell This Girl," and "Quiet Please" appeared in various respected journals, enhancing her reputation in the literary community. Each piece showcases her skill in crafting deep, tightly woven narratives.

Notable Publications

Bender's first collection, The Girl in the Flammable Skirt, released in 1998, offers a vivid tapestry of stories featuring characters with emotional and physical deformities. Through these characters, Bender explores a spectrum of human experiences, identifying them as her "resonant setting." Her debut novel, An Invisible Sign of My Own, reflects her personal struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder and universal themes like mortality. Bender’s work is characterized by her ability to confront painful subjects with a sense of beauty and ethereality, a talent that earned her a spot on The New York Times’ list of Notable Books in 1998. Widely praised, Bender’s writing is celebrated for its minimalistic yet profound depth, marking her as a significant voice in contemporary literature.