Q: How do you actually write out a story? Do you write out a draft and then go over it or what?

Parker: It takes me six months to do a story. I think it out and then write it sentence by sentence–no first draft. I can’t write five words but that I change seven.

Q: How do you name your characters?

Parker: The telephone book and from the obituary columns.

Q: Do you keep a notebook?

Parker: I tried to keep one, but I never could remember where I put the damn thing. I always say I’m going to keep one tomorrow.

Q: How do you get the story down on paper?

Parker: I wrote in longhand at first, but I’ve lost it. I use two fingers on the typewrtiter. I think it’s unkind of you to ask. I know so little about the typewriter that once I bought a new one because I couldn’t change the ribbon on the one I had.