Episode 497: Joyce Carol Oates
Short Summary
Joyce Carol Oates believes that energy is the most important quality for a writer to have
Interruptions and distractions can drain energy and hinder creativity
Oates advises young writers to write about what they are interested in rather than trying to be experimental
Oates encourages writers to be open to feedback and to try new things in order to grow and improve as writers
Oates believes that writers should embrace their unique voice and perspective and not worry too much about trends or what others think of their work
Oates advises young writers to guard their energy by avoiding distractions and interruptions
Oates believes that writers should write for their own time and generation, rather than trying to impress a past audience or deceased parent
Oates advises writers to read widely and to be open to new experiences and new knowledge, rather than becoming too specialized or overly familiar with their own writing
Oates believes that writers should be able to identify and articulate the theme of their writing, rather than leaving it implicit or obscure
Oates recommends a few of her works as starting points for readers unfamiliar with her writing: Blonde, Pursuit, Them, and We Were the Mulvaneys
Oates advises writers to write as much as they can and to be persistent in seeking publication
Long Summary
Joyce Carol Oates believes energy is the most important quality for a writer to have
Energy is necessary for creativity and the pleasure that comes with it
Interruptions and distractions can drain energy and hinder creativity
People's energy and creative processes can change as they get older
It is important to find the right balance between focus and rest in order to maintain energy and productivity
Oates often starts with a title or a last line and works her way backwards in order to find the structure of a story
Oates believes that writing can be a form of self-expression, but also a way to understand and connect with others
Oates encourages writers to be open to feedback and to try new things in order to grow and improve as writers
Oates believes that writers should embrace their unique voice and perspective and not worry too much about trends or what others think of their work.
Joyce Carol Oates believes that energy is the most important writerly quality
She advises young writers to write about what they are interested in rather than trying to be experimental
Oates' first book, By the North Gate, was published in 1963 and was a significant milestone for her
She encourages young writers through various awards and prizes
Oates believes that writing is a solitary act and that it is important for writers to find their own voice and style
She also believes that writers should be well-read and familiar with literary history
Oates believes that writers should take breaks and not be too hard on themselves when they are not writing
She advises writers to be true to themselves and their experiences and not worry about what others may think of their work
Joyce Carol Oates believes that energy is the most important writerly quality and that it is self-evident that creativity requires a good deal of energy, spirit, and optimism
Oates advises young writers to write about what they want to write, rather than experimenting with different styles or genres, and to guard their energy by avoiding distractions and interruptions
Oates believes that writers should write for their own time and generation, rather than trying to impress a past audience or deceased parent
Oates used pseudonyms, including Rosamond Smith, in order to write in a new voice and focus on suspense novels that differed tonally from her usual writing
Oates believes that writers should be able to access their unconscious and to be surprised by what they write, rather than writing in a predetermined way
Oates advises writers to read widely and to be open to new experiences and new knowledge, rather than becoming too specialized or overly familiar with their own writing
Oates believes that writers should be able to identify and articulate the theme of their writing, rather than leaving it implicit or obscure
Joyce Carol Oates is a highly-respected and well-known author.
She has written a large number of novels, short story collections, plays, essays, and criticism.
Oates believes that young writers should write about what they want to write about, rather than trying to be experimental.
She believes that writers should write for their contemporaries, not for posterity.
Oates has used pseudonyms in the past to experiment with different types of writing and voices.
She recommends a few of her works as starting points for readers who are unfamiliar with her writing: Blonde, a long novel about Marilyn Monroe; Pursuit, a psychological suspense novel; Them, a novel about the Detroit riot of 1967; and We Were the Mulvaneys, an Oprah selection.
Oates wishes that some of her works, such as A Widow's Story and The Accursed, had received more attention.
She advises writers to write as much as they can, and to be persistent in seeking publication.