I have been in love with Emily Dickinson's poetry since I was 13, and, like an anonymous post on findagrave.com says, 'Dear Emily - I hope I have understood.' Emily's poems are sometimes difficult, often abstract, on occasion flippant, but her mind is inside them. Helen Oyeyemi abstractanonymousdear share on social
I've always felt happy in my own company. It's only when I get around other people that things get sticky. Helen Oyeyemi companyfelthappy Change image and share on social
I can recommend wearing blue mascara whilst writing. I'm telling you, it really adds something. Helen Oyeyemi addbluemascara Change image and share on social
I think, basically, what I'm good for is reading - a lot. I think I'll always be more of a reader than a writer, definitely. There are sooo many books in the world I haven't read, sometimes I feel as if they're all piled on top of my head weighing me down and saying, 'Hurry up.' Helen Oyeyemi basicallybookfeel share on social
I'm greedy about cities - I like to form my impressions of them on my own, and on foot as far as possible, looking and listening, having conversations with bridges and streets and riverbanks, conversations I tend not to be aware of until a little later, when I find myself returning to those places to say hello again, even if only in memory. Helen Oyeyemi awarebridgecity share on social
The first book I really loved was 'Little Women' - I'd have given anything for Beth to have been allowed to live; I remember crying very much over her death, trying to make the words change just by staring at them. I loved 'Anne of Green Gables,' too; 'What Katy Did;' and 'Peter Pan.' Helen Oyeyemi allowannebeth share on social