I write in longhand and assemble lots of notes, and then I try to collate them into a coherent chronology. It's like groping along in the dark. I like writing and find it challenging, but I don't find it easy. Joyce Carol Oates assemblechallengechronology share on social
Novels usually evolve out of 'character.' Characters generate stories, and the shape of a novel is entirely imagined but should have an aesthetic coherence. Joyce Carol Oates aestheticcharactercoherence Change image and share on social
I never really knew I wanted to 'be' a writer, but I was always writing from a very young age. It became more conscious as an ideal when I was in my twenties. Joyce Carol Oates ageconsciousideal Change image and share on social
Obviously the imagination is fueled by emotions beyond the control of the conscious mind. Joyce Carol Oates consciouscontrolemotion Change image and share on social
To be Jewish is to be specifically identified with a history. And if you're not aware of that when you're a child, the whole tradition is lost. Joyce Carol Oates awarechildhistory Change image and share on social
My own way of writing is very meditated and, despite my reputation, rather slow-moving. So I do spend a good deal of time contemplating endings. The final ending is usually arrived at simply by intuition. Joyce Carol Oates arrivecontemplatedeal share on social
My parents were very proud of me. After they passed, my career doesn't mean as much to me. Joyce Carol Oates careerparentpass Change image and share on social
Our enemy is by tradition our savior, in preventing us from superficiality. Joyce Carol Oates enemypreventsavior Change image and share on social
There should really not be anything gratuitous in a work of art. Sometimes what seems as if it's gratuitous may be a passage in which a character is being characterized so that the reader comes to know him or her better. Joyce Carol Oates artcharactercharacterize share on social
I don't teach literature from my perspective as 'Joyce Carol Oates.' I try to teach fiction from the perspective of each writer. If I'm teaching a story by Hemingway, my endeavor is to present the story that Hemingway wrote in its fullest realization. Joyce Carol Oates carolendeavorfiction share on social
