Time, in general, has always been a central obsession of mine - what it does to people, how it can constitute a plot all on its own. So naturally, I am interested in old age.

Quote by Anne Tyler

Topics: Anne Tyler Quotes

I've always thought a hotel ought to offer optional small animals. I mean a cat...

I've always thought a hotel ought to offer optional small animals. I mean a cat...

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.

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...

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 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 me, writing something down was the only road out.

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

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 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 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.

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 hardest novel to write was Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant.

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

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'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'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 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 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'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.

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...

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...

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...