What does Joyce Carol Oates mean by 'energy' being the most important writerly quality?

Oates defines 'energy' as a spirit or flame that drives creative effort, akin to positive self-delusions about the worth of one's work. It's the sheer pleasure in creation that propels a writer forward. The opposite is being interrupted and having that energy drained.

How does physical activity, like running or walking, influence Joyce Carol Oates' writing?

Oates finds that running and natural environments like hills help her think about writing in structural terms and generate ideas. She describes getting ideas while running to a hill and needs to be alone with her thoughts, away from her desk, to work out plot problems.

What is Joyce Carol Oates' approach to writing an ending and structure?

Oates needs to see the ending of a novel, often in a 'cinematic way,' before she begins writing. She views the title, beginning, and end as a triangular structure, providing a clear destination for the narrative, though she acknowledges some writers, like E.L. Doctorow, work without knowing the end.

How important is revision in Joyce Carol Oates' writing process?

Oates considers revision to be 99% of art, finding it exciting and essential. She revises constantly, often rewriting early chapters multiple times and always revising the previous day's work before moving forward, viewing it as the use and refinement of the initial material.

What are Joyce Carol Oates' thoughts on writer's anxiety and writer's block?

Oates states she doesn't experience anxiety around writing, contrasting it with performance arts. She believes the activity of writing itself can create the mood and overcome exhaustion. She suggests that distractions and the pressure of an audience contribute to anxiety, which is less present in solitary writing.

Why did Joyce Carol Oates use pseudonyms like Rosamund Smith?

Oates used pseudonyms, starting with Rosamund Smith, after about 20 years of writing. The intention was to explore a new voice and focus on a different genre—suspense novels that were more cinematic and movement-driven, distinct from her usual literary style.

What is Joyce Carol Oates' advice regarding writing for an audience?

Oates advises against trying to anticipate an ideal reader, stating that the work itself has an integrity that must be expressed without being shaped to impress someone. When writing fiction, she generally does not think of a particular audience, as each novel has its own distinct voice and world.

How does Joyce Carol Oates approach giving writing assignments to students?

Oates designs assignments to be accessible and effective, ranging from character introductions and memoir snippets to challenging prose mimicry (Hemingway, Kerouac, Lovecraft) and stories centered on moral decisions. She tailors assignments to the students' aptitude and aims to foster exploration and engagement with craft.

What are some recommended starting points for readers unfamiliar with Joyce Carol Oates' work?

For those new to her work, Oates suggests 'Blonde' (though long, considered a favorite), 'Pursuit' (a shorter suspense novel), 'Them' (based on the Detroit riot), 'We Were the Mulvaneys' (an Oprah pick), or her gothic and surreal short story collections like 'The Haunted Short Stories' or 'The Corn Maiden'.

Does Joyce Carol Oates believe that volume of writing leads to enduring quality?

Oates suggests that it's inevitable that not all works achieve the same level of recognition. She believes writers may need to produce a high volume of work to produce a few lasting pieces, similar to how many poems might precede a significant one. She notes that even prolific authors like Faulkner or Shakespeare have certain works that become more prominent.

What are Joyce Carol Oates' two memoirs and their focus?

Oates has written two memoirs: 'A Widow's Story,' which is a raw and immediate account of her grief in the months following her husband's death, and 'The Lost Landscape: A Writer's Story,' which examines her life from a writer's perspective, including her parents and upbringing on a farm.

Key Moments

Joyce Carol Oates — A Writing Icon on Creative Process and Creative Living | The Tim Ferriss Show

Tim Ferriss

Howto & Style4 min read74 min video

Feb 12, 2021|15,255 views|323|42

tim ferriss 4 hour workweek 4 hour body 4 hour chef timothy ferriss entrepreneur author writer angel investor ferriss tim ferriss blog timothy ferriss speaker

Save to Pod

Key Moments

TL;DR

Joyce Carol Oates discusses the creative process, energy, revision, and advice for writers.

Key Insights

Energy and a sense of positive delusion are crucial for creativity, combating distractions.

Having a clear ending and title is vital for guiding the writing process.

Revision is a deeply enjoyable and essential part of the artistic process, akin to sculpting material.

Writers should embrace their own voice and write for their contemporaries, not posterity.

Creating the mood through the act of writing itself is more effective than waiting for inspiration.

Productivity can be relative; the focus should be on producing enduring, quality work rather than sheer volume.

THE ESSENCE OF CREATIVE ENERGY

Joyce Carol Oates posits that creative endeavors require significant energy, fueled by what she terms 'positive delusions.' This intrinsic motivation, akin to a flame, propels the creator forward, finding pleasure in the act of creation itself. The primary adversary to this energy is interruption and distraction, which drain focus and inhibit the flow necessary for deep work, especially in the age of constant digital connectivity.

THE ARCHITECTURE OF A STORY

For Oates, a completed novel begins with a clear vision of its ending and a title that encapsulates its essence, forming a triangular structure with the beginning. This destination-oriented approach guides the writing process, preventing aimless wandering. While acknowledging that some writers, like El Doctorow, work without knowing the end, Oates finds having a defined conclusion essential for her own method, treating the writing journey like a pre-planned road trip with a specific destination.

THE ART OF REVISION AS CREATION

Revision is not merely correction but a fundamental aspect of the creative act, often more enjoyable than the initial draft. Oates views the first draft as raw material, with subsequent revisions being the actual sculpting and shaping of the art. She emphasizes that this iterative process, involving constant refinement of sentences, paragraphs, and even entire chapters, is where the true magic of writing unfolds, transforming a simple sentence into a richer, more complex expression.

NAVIGATING THE WRITER'S LANDSCAPE

Oates suggests that writers should focus on their contemporaries rather than an abstract audience or posterity. She believes that the act of writing, even when feeling exhausted or uninspired, creates its own momentum and mood. This work ethic, stemming from her upbringing, underscores the importance of discipline over waiting for inspiration. Furthermore, she advises writers to write for themselves, expressing the integrity of the work without catering to an anticipated reader, as each piece has its own unique demands.

EMBRACING DIVERSE MODES OF WRITING

Oates explores both sociological realism and surrealism in her writing. She appreciates the verisimilitude of realism, grounding stories in actual places and events, but also delves into the unconscious and dreamlike landscapes of surrealism. This dual approach allows for a rich exploration of human experience, where the unconscious can surface with potent imagery and improbable connections, making the writing process more dynamic and enjoyable.

ADVICE AND ACADEMIC APPROACHES

In her teaching, Oates acts as a sympathetic and careful reader, encouraging writers to explore what they truly care about. She assigns various writing exercises, such as character introductions, memoir snippets, and prose mimicry, to hone students' skills. A recurring assignment involves writing a story centered on a moral decision, tapping into the natural moral instincts of young writers. Her experience shows that while some exercises are challenging, they offer valuable lessons in craft and perspective.

APPROACHING THE VOLUME OF WORK

Oates acknowledges that not all her published works will achieve equal acclaim, a reality for prolific authors. She likens it to classical composers or playwrights, where a select few pieces often become most recognized. The volume of output is a necessary part of the process, as it increases the likelihood of producing enduring work. She also discusses using pseudonyms for different genres, offering creative freedom and exploring distinct narrative voices separate from her mainstream work.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONTINUING THE CRAFT

For new readers, Oates suggests various starting points, including the epic 'Blonde,' the suspenseful novella 'Pursuit,' the historical 'Them,' or the Oprah-selected 'We Were the Mulvaneys.' She also highlights her memoirs, 'A Widow's Story' and 'Lost Landscape,' for those interested in her personal journey. Her ultimate advice for aspiring writers is continuous reading, exploring different authors in depth to absorb their styles and perspectives, thereby enriching their own creative development.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Organizations

●Books

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Joyce Carol Oates' Writing Advice

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Write your heart out.

Create your mood by working, don't wait for inspiration.

Go for a long run or walk to clear your head before writing.

Be a sympathetic and careful reader for your students.

Write about what you truly care about.

Prioritize and guard your time, like Philip Roth.

Start writing even when exhausted or uninspired.

Read widely and for pleasure, explore authors in phases.

In revision, focus on clarity and artistic integrity.

Write for your contemporaries, not just posterity.

Avoid This

Don't get bogged down by pre-conceived notions of mood.

Don't be afraid to be experimental if you have the personality for it.

Don't expect a first draft to be perfect; embrace revision.

Don't let distractions drain your energy and concentration.

Don't try to anticipate an ideal reader; focus on the integrity of the work.

Avoid excessive preaching or didacticism in your writing (Oscar Wilde's point on sincerity).

Don't let parental or familial expectations inhibit your writing.

Don't be deterred by the idea that only a few works endure; volume can lead to lasting quality.

Common Questions

Joyce Carol Oates emphasizes the importance of reading widely and with pleasure, suggesting in-depth exploration of individual authors. She also stresses the necessity of a strong work ethic, encouraging writers to start working even when uninspired or tired, and to protect their time from distractions.

Topics

Character-Development Learning & Education Mindset & Self-Improvement Creativity & Media Writing Process Writer's Block Author Interviews Creative Inspiration Revision Techniques Literary Craft Prolific Writing

Mentioned in this video

Books

We Were the Mulvaneys

A national bestseller by Joyce Carol Oates, noted as an Oprah Book Club selection which significantly boosted its readership.

Of Wolves and Men

A book by Barry Lopez that deeply impressed Tim Ferriss, leading him to wish he could have interviewed the author.

The Lost Landscape: A Writer's Story

A memoir by Joyce Carol Oates that reflects on her life from the perspective of a writer, including her parents and the farm she grew up on.

A Widow's Story

A book by Joyce Carol Oates, described as a raw and immediate memoir based on her journal entries from the first three months after becoming a widow.

Blonde

A nationally bestselling novel by Joyce Carol Oates, focusing on the interior life of Marilyn Monroe. It is an 800-page work that Oates considers one of her favorites.

Joseph Cornell Compendium

Jonathan Safran Foer's first book, noted for its unusual approach of compiling work by older artists rather than focusing on autobiographical content.

Concepts

Pulitzer Prize

Three of Joyce Carol Oates' novels were finalists for this prize.

National Humanities Medal

An honor received by Joyce Carol Oates.

Sino del Duca World Prize for Literature

An honor received by Joyce Carol Oates in 2020.

Jerusalem Prize

An honor received by Joyce Carol Oates in 2019.

National Book Award

An honor received by Joyce Carol Oates.

PEN America Award

An honor received by Joyce Carol Oates.

Companies

Paris Review

Publication where Joyce Carol Oates' interview series 'The Art of Fiction' is mentioned in relation to her creative process.

ExpressVPN

A Virtual Private Network service recommended for securing data and encrypting internet activity without slowing down connection speeds.

Peak Tea

A company offering fermented Pu'er tea crystals, praised for its high polyphenol and probiotic content, cold extraction process, and triple toxin screening.

People

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Author whose short stories Joyce Carol Oates was writing an introduction for.

Shirley Jackson

Author of 'The Lottery,' used as a basis for a writing assignment where students write from the perspective of a minor character.

Rosamund Smith

The first pseudonym used by Joyce Carol Oates, adopted after about 20 years of writing to explore a new voice and focus on suspense novels.

H.P. Lovecraft

Author whose prose style students are assigned to mimic as a challenging exercise in Joyce Carol Oates' writing workshop.

Kevin Rose

Mentioned as a friend who introduced Tim Ferriss to Peak Tea.

Vernon Bernard Mullen

Quoted for the phrase 'write your heart out'.

William Shakespeare

A playwright whose most popular works are frequently taught, contrasted with less popular but still valuable plays, used as an analogy for varying levels of recognition for creative works.

James Joyce

A writer mentioned as an example of surrealist writing who nonetheless believed in the beauty of the actual, allowing readers to walk through Dublin and experience the day of 'Ulysses'.

Jane Austen

An author whose popular novels like 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'Emma' are contrasted with less frequently read ones like 'Mansfield Park', illustrating varying reader attention.

Joyce Carol Oates

A prolific author of novels, short story collections, poetry, plays, essays, and criticism, with numerous accolades including the National Book Award, PEN America Award, National Humanities Medal, Jerusalem Prize, and the Sino del Duca World Prize for Literature. She is a distinguished professor at Princeton University.

Margaret Atwood

Author whose stories are assigned to students in one of Joyce Carol Oates' writing workshops.

Oscar Wilde

Author of a quote about sincerity being dangerous and a great deal of it being fatal, which Joyce Carol Oates discusses in the context of Victorian literature and morality.

Peter Attia

Mentioned as a friend who introduced Tim Ferriss to Peak Tea.

Jonathan Safran Foer

A former student and current colleague of Joyce Carol Oates, recognized for his promising talent and energy as a writer.

William Faulkner

A highly influential author whose works Joyce Carol Oates read extensively in high school and whose stories are assigned in her workshops. Also cited as an example of an author with a large body of work where only a few pieces become consistently anthologized.

D.H. Lawrence

An author whose works Joyce Carol Oates read extensively during a phase and who is cited as an example of prolific output with selective enduring popularity.

Walker Evans

An early 20th-century photographer whose perspective on the pleasure of the camera and seeing where it leads is cited as an example of creative spirit.

Philip Roth

A writer cited for being a careful custodian of his own time and privacy, implying he would not give away as much time on non-essential tasks as Oates sometimes does.

Barry Lopez

An author whose work Tim Ferriss is currently reading, describing him as an amazing human being and writer whose collected works could profoundly change one's perspective on life and craft.

Organizations

American Academy of Arts and Letters

An institution of which Joyce Carol Oates has been a member since 1978.

The Guardian

Publication where a quote from Joyce Carol Oates about not having anxiety around writing was found.

Princeton University

University where Joyce Carol Oates is a distinguished professor of the humanities.

Wikipedia

A platform where Joyce Carol Oates' bibliography is so extensive it has its own separate entry.

Software & Apps

Four Hour Workweek

Website mentioned for signing up to receive Tim Ferriss's 'Five Bullet Friday' email.