7 Quotes on Writing by Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates is an American writer. She has written over 60 novels to date. Her most well-known works include We Were the Mulvaneys, Blonde and The Falls.

Joyce Carol Oates on Writing

“There's only one rule of show business, or writing. And that's don't be boring.”

#48

Joyce Carol Oates

“If you can tell a story as briefly as possible, it's more dramatic. If it's too long, then it has the problems of pacing, it could get a little slow. But the shorter you can make a story, the better.”

#50

Joyce Carol Oates

“Writing is a matter of experimentation. And all writers do a lot of revision. […] you keep rewriting to find the rhythm and the voice that's suitable for that story.”

#51

Joyce Carol Oates

“Writing is like a spiritual manifestation of something deep within us we don't really know is there.”

#52

Joyce Carol Oates

“Keeping a journal sharpens our senses. It's like an exercise in writing. If you're describing a scene, you are practicing the act of writing—which is very important—and thinking in language.”

#53

Joyce Carol Oates

“There is an instinct in our species to tell stories. It's a way of explaining the universe and explaining our world.”

#54

Joyce Carol Oates

“The only thing that's bad for writing is being interrupted. You have to have time to write. And while that seems obvious, you're probably living a life with a lot of interruptions.”

#63

Joyce Carol Oates

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