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

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.

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...

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...

And I am interested in the fact that class is very much a factor in...

And I am interested in the fact that class is very much a factor in...

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 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 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...

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...

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 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...

When I read, I'm purely a reader.

When I read, I'm purely a reader.

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 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...

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...

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 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...

For my own family, I would always choose the makeshift, surrogate family formed by various...

For my own family, I would always choose the makeshift, surrogate family formed by various...

In real life I avoid all parties altogether, but on paper I can mingle with...

In real life I avoid all parties altogether, but on paper I can mingle with...

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 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...