From a conversation between Ottessa Moshfegh, a novelist, and Kristine McKenna, a critic, in late January.

kristine mckenna: I once interviewed Joni Mitchell and asked her about aging. She said, “Nobody likes to have less than they had before. If you’ve been a pretty woman, you feel a sense of loss, and the more attractiveness you had, the greater the sense of loss you’ll feel as it declines. If you’re used to a certain kind of attention based on your appearance, then your transition is going to be that much more difficult. If you haven’t set…