'A Fair Maiden' existed in notes and sketches for perhaps a year. When I traveled, I would take along with me my folder of notes - 'ideas for stories.' Eventually, I began to write it and wrote it fairly swiftly - in perhaps two months of fairly intense writing and rewriting. Most of my time writing is really re-writing.
Joyce Carol OatesIt's where we go, and what we do when we get there, that tells us who we really are.
Joyce Carol OatesLanguage is the instrument in all cases and can language be trusted?If it were not for language, could we lie?
Joyce Carol OatesLife and people are complex. A writer as an artist doesn't have the personality of a politician. We don't see the world that simply.
Joyce Carol Oates