In the Faith of a Writer, Oates discusses the subjects most important to the narrative craft, touching on topic such as inspiration, memory, self criticism and the "the unique power of the unconsious." On a more personal note, she speaks of childhood inspirations, offers advice in young writers, and discuss the wildly varying states of mind of a writer at work. Oates also plays homae to those she calls her "significant precessors" and discusses the importance of reading in the life of a writer.