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Quote by Joyce Carol Oates

“I don't read for amusement, I read for enlightenment. I do a lot of reviewing, so I have a steady assignment of reading. I'm also a judge for the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, which gives awards to literature and nonfiction.”

Quote by Joyce Carol Oates

Author

Joyce Carol Oates

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

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“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.”

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Author:Joyce Carol Oates

“I don't think I'm morbid by nature. Serious writers have always written about serious subjects. Lighthearted material doesn't appeal to me, and I don't read it. I think I'm a realist, with a realistic sensibility of history and the tragedy of history.”

Thinking Written Subjects Serious Materials Tragedy Appeals Realistic Sensibility Realist Morbid Serious Subjects

Author:Joyce Carol Oates

“I haven't any formal schedule, but I love to write in the morning, before breakfast. Sometimes the writing goes so smoothly that I don't take a break for many hours - and consequently have breakfast at two or three in the afternoon on good days.”

Writing Two Sometimes Three Hours Break Morning Havens Breakfast Afternoon Formal Schedules Good Day

Book:Conversations with Joyce Carol Oates

Source: Conversations with Joyce Carol Oates

“I haven't the faintest idea what my royalties are. I haven't the faintest idea how many copies of books sold, or how many books that I've written. I could look these things up; I have no interest in them. I don't know how much money I have. There are a lot of things I just don't care about.”

Knows Looks Book Ideas Care Interest Know How Written Havens Don't Care Copies Royalty

Author:Joyce Carol Oates

“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.”

Writing Age Wanted Young Conscious Ideals Twenties Young Age

Author:Joyce Carol Oates

“I remember once asking Grandma about a book she was reading, a biography of Abraham Lincoln, and how she answered me: this was the first conversation of my life that concerned a book, and 'the life of the mind' - and now, such subjects have become my life.”

Mind Firsts Book Remember Reading Subjects Conversation Concerned Asking Biographies Grandma Abraham

Author:Joyce Carol Oates

“I think all art comes out of conflict. When I write I am always looking for the dramatic kernel of an event, the junctures of people's lives when they go in one direction, not another.”

People Thinking Writing Art Events Conflict Dramatic One Direction Kernel Juncture

Author:Joyce Carol Oates

“I think it's very important for writers and artists generally to be witnesses to the world, and to be transparent. To let other people speak... to travel... to experience the world. And memorialize it.”

People Thinking World Important Artist Speak Witness Transparent

Author:Joyce Carol Oates

“I think whenever we think of our hometowns, we tend to think of very specific people: with whom you rode on the school bus, who was your next door neighbor you were playing with, who your girlfriend was. It's always something very specific.”

People Thinking School Next Doors Neighbor Girlfriend Bus Hometown Your Girlfriend Next Door Neighbors School Bus

Author:Joyce Carol Oates

“I would suggest the widow do things the husband used to do, so he seems to be there with you. You will feel like just going to bed. It's so wonderful, going to bed.”

Feels Seems Used Wonderful Bed Husband Widows

Author:Joyce Carol Oates