Date of Birth: January 13, 1957
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Biography
Lorrie Moore, born Marie Lorena Moore, is an esteemed American writer known for her sharp wit, poignant narratives, and masterful short stories. She was born on January 13, 1957, in Glens Falls, New York. Moore’s literary career began to take shape during her time at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, where she won a Seventeen magazine fiction contest. This early success propelled her to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree at Cornell University, where she studied under the guidance of writer Alison Lurie. Moore’s first collection of short stories, “Self-Help,” was published in 1985 and received critical acclaim for its innovative blend of humor and pathos. Over the years, she has published several more collections, including “Like Life” (1990), “Birds of America” (1998), and “Bark” (2014). Her novels, such as “Anagrams” (1986), “Who Will Run the Frog Hospital?” (1994), and “A Gate at the Stairs” (2009), further cemented her reputation as a leading voice in contemporary American fiction. Moore’s work often explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships, all delivered with her signature style of dark humor and keen observation. She has received numerous accolades, including the Rea Award for the Short Story, the PEN/Malamud Award, and has been a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. Moore has also served as a professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and later at Vanderbilt University, influencing a new generation of writers.
5 Interesting Facts about Lorrie Moore
1. Lorrie Moore’s first published story was written for a Seventeen magazine fiction contest, which she won.
2. She chose the pen name “Lorrie” because she felt that “Marie” was too common and wanted something more distinctive.
3. Her collection “Birds of America” was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year.
4. Moore has been a long-time contributor to The New Yorker, where many of her stories and essays have appeared.
5. She has served as a judge for several literary awards, including the National Book Award.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lorrie Moore
1. “The writing life is essentially one of solitary confinement – if you can’t deal with this, you needn’t apply.”
2. “A short story is a love affair; a novel is a marriage. A short story is a photograph; a novel is a film.”
3. “Humor is a way of holding off how awful life can be, to protect yourself.”
4. “Writers have no real area of expertise. They are merely generalists with a highly inflamed sense of punctuation.”
5. “The problem with being a writer is that you are constantly questioning yourself. Life is a constant revision.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Lorrie Moore is estimated to be around $5 million.
Children
Lorrie Moore has a son named Benjamin, who was born in 1990.
Relevant Links
1. [Lorrie Moore on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorrie_Moore
2. [Lorrie Moore’s profile at The New Yorker](https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/lorrie-moore
