I'll write maybe one long paragraph describing the events, then a page or two breaking the events into chapters, and then reams of pages delving into my characters. After that, I'm ready to begin.

Quote by Anne Tyler

Topics: Anne Tyler Quotes

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...

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...

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 spend about a year between novels.

I spend about a year between novels.

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 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...

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

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

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...

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.

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...

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 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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

My stories are never quite good enough.

My stories are never quite good enough.

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.