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

Quote by Anne Tyler

Topics: Anne Tyler Quotes

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.

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 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.

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 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...

But what I hope for from a book - either one that I write or...

But what I hope for from a book - either one that I write or...

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 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 -...

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 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;...

My stories are never quite good enough.

My stories are never quite good enough.

When I read, I'm purely a reader.

When I read, I'm purely a reader.

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...

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

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

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...

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'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 forget a book as soon as I finish writing it, which is not always...

I forget a book as soon as I finish writing it, which is not always...

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...

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.