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

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...

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 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 -...

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...

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...

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

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

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 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 spend about a year between novels.

I spend about a year between novels.

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...

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

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

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

The hardest novel to write was Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant.

The hardest novel to write was Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant.

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 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.