I was standing in the schoolyard waiting for a child when another mother came up to me. Have you found work yet? she asked. Or are you still just writing?

Quote by Anne Tyler

Topics: Anne Tyler Quotes

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 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...

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 -...

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 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...

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...

People always call it luck when you've acted more sensibly than they have.

People always call it luck when you've acted more sensibly than they have.

Time, in general, has always been a central obsession of mine - what it does...

Time, in general, has always been a central obsession of mine - what it does...

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'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 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.

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...

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...

I consciously try to end my novels at a point where I won't have to...

I consciously try to end my novels at a point where I won't have to...

She worded it a bit strongly, but I do find myself more and more struck...

She worded it a bit strongly, but I do find myself more and more struck...

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...

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...

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'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...

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...