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Quote by Joyce Carol Oates

“I don't believe in predestination - except for genetic predilections.”

Author

Joyce Carol Oates is a renowned American author born on June 16, 1938. Her works span various literary forms such as novels, poetry, and drama, known for her unique narrative techniques and profound thematic explorations. more

“One of the qualities of writing that is not much stressed is its problem-solving aspect, having to do with the presentation of material: how to structure it, what sort of sentences (direct, elliptical, simple or compound, syntactically elaborate), what tone (in art, "tone" is everything), pacing. Paragraphing is a way of dramatization, as the look of a poem on a page is dramatic; where to break lines, where to end sentences.”

Way Writing Looks Art Ends Problem Lines Simple Quality Break Materials Pages Aspect Direct Structure Sentences Dramatic Tone Problem Solving Presentation Stressed Compounds Pacing

Author:Joyce Carol Oates

“It's always a challenge to discover the most effective first sentence, and the most effective final sentence, in a chapter for instance, and in the book as a whole.”

Firsts Book Whole Challenges Finals Sentences Instance Chapters

Author:Joyce Carol Oates

“It is important for me to discover the ideal title, for without this title the story or novel isn't quite in focus.”

Important Stories Novel Focus Ideals Titles

Author:Joyce Carol Oates

“Only when you have completed a novel, or a story, can you return to the beginning and revise or rewrite.”

Stories Novel Return

Author:Joyce Carol Oates

“Though I revise constantly as I write, I will usually revise much of the work again after I've reached the ending.”

Writing

Author:Joyce Carol Oates

“Each genre exerts a considerable spell, as a kind of "form" to be filled, as a Shakespearean sonnet is filled.”

Kind Form Filled Genre Spells Sonnet

Author:Joyce Carol Oates

“I rarely write in my own voice except in book reviews and memoirs; otherwise, I am writing in mediated voices, modulated in terms of the characters whom the voices express.”

Writing Book Character Voice Term My Own Memoir Reviews Book Review

Author:Joyce Carol Oates

Quote by Joyce Carol Oates

Author

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