SOURCE: Ford, Richard, Jennifer Levasseur, and Kevin Rabalais. “Invitation to the Story: An Interview with Richard Ford.” Kenyon Review 23, nos. 3-4 (summer-fall 2001): 123-43.

In the following interview, begun on June 3, 1998, and continued on December 4, 1998, Ford discusses his writing process, his literary influences, and the role of the writer in American society.

Richard Ford's novels include A Piece of My Heart, The Ultimate Good Luck, The Sportswriter, Wildlife, and Independence Day, which won the Pulitzer Prize and PEN/Faulkner Award in 1996. He has written two collections of stories, Rock Springs and Women with Men. He has edited The Granta Book of the American Short Story, The Granta Book of the American Long Story, and The Essential Tales of Chekhov. Jennifer Levasseur and Kevin Rabalais interviewed Mr. Ford at his home in New Orleans on June 3, 1998. Kevin Rabalais met with him again on December 4, 1998.

[Levasseur/Rabalais]: It has been more...