Joyce Carol Oates: 'With prose fiction you can go beneath the surface'

Joyce Carol Oates: 'With prose fiction you can go beneath the surface'

Author: Fictionable July 26, 2023 Duration: 23:33

It's revolution on the Fictionable podcast, where we've evolved again to hear more from our fabulous contributors.


We're devoting an entire programme to Joyce Carol Oates and her fantastic story Small Veins, with Fiona Mozley, José Falero and his translator Maria Jacqueline Evans, Donal McLaughlin and Sabba Khan all joining us over the coming weeks.


In this programme, Oates tells us how she paid for Small Veins with her own blood, and how she works out if something is a "Story" or a "Tale of Suspense". She talks typography as she explains how she captures the rhythm of thought on the page, and examines the very Oatesian notion that "the unimaginable improbable will become, within a surprisingly short period of time, the imagined probable".


"In my heart I'm sort of like a fourteen-year-old girl," Oates confesses, and perhaps this focus on the new and the wonderful is the secret of the unquenchable creativity this eighty-five-year-old master of fiction in all its forms still shows in all her work.


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Fictionable is a space for those drawn to the compact power of short stories and the vivid narratives of graphic fiction. Each episode delves into the craft and culture surrounding these forms, featuring conversations with the writers and artists themselves. We explore the techniques behind compelling brevity, the unique challenges of visual storytelling, and the diverse literary scenes influencing work today. The discussion often extends to broader book chat, examining how these shorter pieces fit into the wider landscape of reading and creativity. It’s a podcast built for curious readers who find entire worlds in a few pages or panels, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the stories published in the Fictionable collection. You’ll hear about inspiration, process, and the personal connections that fuel these works, all sourced from a global community of creators. The aim is to deepen appreciation for the art form while celebrating the voices shaping it. This isn’t just analysis; it’s an invitation into the ongoing conversation between author, artist, and audience. Join us for a thoughtful and engaging exploration of narrative in its most concentrated and visually dynamic forms.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 59

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