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

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.

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.

My stories are never quite good enough.

My stories are never quite good enough.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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 read, I'm purely a reader.

When I read, I'm purely a reader.

At most I'll spend three or four hours daily, sometimes less.

At most I'll spend three or four hours daily, sometimes less.

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...

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 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...

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...

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 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;...