The one ironclad rule is that I have to try. I have to walk into my writing room and pick up my pen every weekday morning
Anne TylerRead
I do write long, long character notes - family background, history, details of appearance - much more than will ever appear in the novel. I think this is what lifts a book from that early calculated, artificial stage.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of deep character development in writing.
In this quote, Anne Tyler expresses her belief that extensive character notes, which include detailed backgrounds and histories, are essential for creating authentic and relatable characters in her novels. By investing time in understanding the characters fully, a writer can transcend the initial, superficial stages of writing, leading to a richer and more engaging narrative that resonates with readers.
Themes
Character DevelopmentWritingNovelsDetailsAuthenticity
In practice
Example use cases
In a writing workshop, to emphasize the importance of character creation.
More from Anne Tyler
All quotes →I don't know what takes more courage: surviving a lifelong endurance test because you once made a promise or breaking free, disrupting all your world.
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I just want to be told a story, and I want to believe I'm living that story, and I don't give a thought to influences or method or any other writerly concerns
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It seems to me that since I've had children, I've grown richer and deeper. They may have slowed down my writing for a while, but when I did write, I had more of a self to speak from.
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There is no true life. Your true life is the one you end up with, whatever it may be. You just do the best you can with what you've got.
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