I'm too shy for personal appearances, and I've found out that anytime I talk about my writing, I can't do any writing for many weeks afterward.

Quote by Anne Tyler

Topics: Anne Tyler Quotes

My writing day has grown shorter as I've aged, although it seems to produce the...

My writing day has grown shorter as I've aged, although it seems to produce the...

I didn't really choose to write; I more or less fell into it.

I didn't really choose to write; I more or less fell into it.

The one ironclad rule is that I have to try. I have to walk into...

The one ironclad rule is that I have to try. I have to walk into...

At most I'll spend three or four hours daily, sometimes less.

At most I'll spend three or four hours daily, sometimes less.

The hardest novel to write was Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant.

The hardest novel to write was Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant.

I save the best of myself for novels, and I believe it shows.

I save the best of myself for novels, and I believe it shows.

When I read, I'm purely a reader.

When I read, I'm purely a reader.

I've always enjoyed studying the small clues that indicate a particular class level.

I've always enjoyed studying the small clues that indicate a particular class level.

But what I hope for from a book - either one that I write or...

But what I hope for from a book - either one that I write or...

I've always thought a hotel ought to offer optional small animals. I mean a cat...

I've always thought a hotel ought to offer optional small animals. I mean a cat...

When I'm working on something, I proceed as if no one else will ever read...

When I'm working on something, I proceed as if no one else will ever read...

It seems to me that good novels celebrate the mystery in ordinary life, and summing...

It seems to me that good novels celebrate the mystery in ordinary life, and summing...

Not until the final draft do I force myself to remember that I'm going to...

Not until the final draft do I force myself to remember that I'm going to...

I do write long, long character notes - family background, history, details of appearance -...

I do write long, long character notes - family background, history, details of appearance -...

I just want to be told a story, and I want to believe I'm living...

I just want to be told a story, and I want to believe I'm living...

My family can always tell when I'm well into a novel because the meals get...

My family can always tell when I'm well into a novel because the meals get...

It's true that it's a solitary occupation, but you would be surprised at how much...

It's true that it's a solitary occupation, but you would be surprised at how much...

I never think about the actual process of writing. I suppose I have a superstition...

I never think about the actual process of writing. I suppose I have a superstition...

While armchair travelers dream of going places, traveling armchairs dream of staying put.

While armchair travelers dream of going places, traveling armchairs dream of staying put.

I would advise any beginning writer to write the first drafts as if no one...

I would advise any beginning writer to write the first drafts as if no one...