snowdrops’s Reviews > The Paris Review Interviews, IV > Status Update

“It wouldn’t occur to me to say, Here am I, I’m a writer, would you talk to me a while? I had no feeling at all like that. I wanted to observe things.” (Marianne Moore)

“I used to spend a lot of time worrying over word order, trying to create beautiful passages. I still believe in the value of a handsome style. .. But I’m not interested any more in turning out something shimmering and impressionistic—Southern, if you will—full of word-pictures, damn Dixie baby talk, and that sort of thing. I guess I just get more and more interested in people. And story.” (Styron)

“INTERVIEWER: Do you enjoy writing?

STYRON: I certainly don’t. I get a fine, warm feeling when I’m doing well, but that pleasure is pretty much negated by the pain of getting started each day. Let’s face it, writing is hell.”