Annie Proulx's novel "The Shipping News" won the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, and her stories include "Brokeback Mountain," the basis for the Academy Award-winning film. Her latest story collection, "Fine Just the Way It Is," is her third set in Wyoming. In nine pieces, she explores the hard lives of aging cowboys, ranch hands and pioneers, and especially the lot of women.

Ms. Proulx, who doesn't have a land line at her house in Wyoming, answered questions by email.

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