I think what I like best is that when people give talks or workshops, it doesn't really matter what level you are as a writer - whether you are a beginner, or you've been around the block a bit; there's something that you can take away from every session. Antonya Nelson beginnerbiteblock share on social
I often think of the novel as a form that celebrates social groups, and the short story being a form that is capable of celebrating an individual or a sort of insular little pair of people. Antonya Nelson capablecelebrateform Change image and share on social
I think maybe short stories operate in some of the same ways that poems do. They frame single or small moments and elevate those. They give you insight into more minor dramas maybe, dramas between smaller groups of people. Antonya Nelson dramaelevateframe share on social
Most of what one feels compelled to write stems from a deep emotional uncertainty. Antonya Nelson compeldeepemotional Change image and share on social
I grew up with parents who were English professors at Wichita State University, and we were more liberal-minded as a family than most of the people I hung out with in Wichita. During summers, we went off to Telluride, Colorado, where I've returned every summer since I was born. Antonya Nelson bearcoloradoenglish share on social
I definitely don't think of myself as someone identified by region. It's too far-flung a region, for starters, and southern New Mexico is very isolated. I wouldn't think of my identity as generational, either, but maybe as more stylistic, in the school of realism and domestic issues. Antonya Nelson domesticflinggenerational share on social
Finding pleasure in revision is the thing I would most strongly advise to people. It's not something I did as a younger writer; I learned it over time. Antonya Nelson advisefindlearn Change image and share on social
I think about and study people. I think I make people uneasy sometimes by being so curious as to why they do what they do. I find myself thinking about this fairly obsessively, and I can't stop until I've found an answer. Antonya Nelson answercuriousfairly share on social
The most enduring battle is between head and heart; what would be efficient and logical is nearly always trumped by what is messy and illogical. Antonya Nelson battleefficientendure Change image and share on social