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

Quote by Anne Tyler

Topics: Anne Tyler Quotes

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.

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...

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...

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...

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 can never tell ahead of time which book will give me trouble - some...

I can never tell ahead of time which book will give me trouble - some...

My decision to start a new one is just that, a decision, since I never...

My decision to start a new one is just that, a decision, since I never...

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...

It seems to me that since I've had children, I've grown richer and deeper. They...

It seems to me that since I've had children, I've grown richer and deeper. They...

When I read, I'm purely a reader.

When I read, I'm purely a reader.

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...

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...

My stories are never quite good enough.

My stories are never quite good enough.

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'm too shy for personal appearances, and I've found out that anytime I talk about...

I'm too shy for personal appearances, and I've found out that anytime I talk about...

I was standing in the schoolyard waiting for a child when another mother came up...

I was standing in the schoolyard waiting for a child when another mother came up...

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.

I expect that any day now, I will have said all I have to say;...

I expect that any day now, I will have said all I have to say;...

If I waited till I felt like writing, I'd never write at all.

If I waited till I felt like writing, I'd never write at all.

For me, writing something down was the only road out.

For me, writing something down was the only road out.