I expect that any day now, I will have said all I have to say; I'll have used up all my characters, and then I'll be free to get on with my real life.

Quote by Anne Tyler

Topics: Anne Tyler Quotes

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 -...

When I read, I'm purely a reader.

When I read, I'm purely a reader.

I forget a book as soon as I finish writing it, which is not always...

I forget a book as soon as I finish writing it, which is not always...

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...

None of my own experiences ever finds its way into my work. However, the stages...

None of my own experiences ever finds its way into my work. However, the stages...

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...

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 remember leaving the hospital - thinking, 'Wait, are they going to let me just...

I remember leaving the hospital - thinking, 'Wait, are they going to let me just...

The Amateur Marriage grew out of the reflection that of all the opportunities to show...

The Amateur Marriage grew out of the reflection that of all the opportunities to show...

My stories are never quite good enough.

My stories are never quite good enough.

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...

I don't want to say I hear voices; well, actually I do hear voices, but...

I don't want to say I hear voices; well, actually I do hear voices, but...

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...

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

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

I think it must be very hard to be one of the new young writers...

I think it must be very hard to be one of the new young writers...

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.

I'll write maybe one long paragraph describing the events, then a page or two breaking...

I'll write maybe one long paragraph describing the events, then a page or two breaking...

Ever consider what pets must think of us? I mean, here we come back from...

Ever consider what pets must think of us? I mean, here we come back from...

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...