Authorial Intent in “Last Things” by Jenny Offill (post 2): Author says she and other writers know next to nothing about their own books

How do I know my interpretations in the previous post are what the author intended? Not only don’t I know, but I assume that my interpretations are not what she intended, because I don’t think most literary novelists actually have clearcut intentions or fully understand the psychological implications of their scenarios.

Authorial intent is debatable. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authorial_intent

Jenny Offill, herself, says it is a “trade secret: writers know next to nothing about their own books” https://thesewaneereview.com/articles/a-micro-interview-with-jenny-offill

She may be exaggerating, but she is not lying.