Ryanne Molinari

Last year, I read Brad Gooch’s marvelous biography of Flannery at a time when I felt (to be honest) very crummy about my writing. It was exactly the encouragement I needed. For instance, I found out that when someone asked O’Connor what if she collected anything, she replied, “Rejection letters.”

Her bluntness was balm to my battered soul.

Even if you’re not a writer, the following O’Connor quips will likely make you chuckle, especially if you’re of the more introverted persuasion:

1. When asked why she was sitting in a corner at a party: “I’m antisocial.”

2. On living in New York City: “The good news is that there are lots of people you’re glad you don’t know.”

3. After receiving mixed reviews on her novel: “One reason I like to publish short stories is that nobody pays attention to them.”

4. When she had to start using a cane due to her disease: “I get out of doing a great many things I don’t want to do.”

5. After traveling: “My capacity for staying home is 100%.”

BONUS: When her neighbors described her as “a sweet girl” but were “afraid to go near her” because she might put them in her stories.