I fell in love with Shakespeare when I was 12, and I read the whole works. Yes, I was precocious. Claire Tomalin fallloveprecocious Change image and share on social
All writers behave badly. All people behave badly. Claire Tomalin badlybehavepeople Change image and share on social
'Words and Music' on Radio 3 is always a treat. Actors read passages of poetry and prose interspersed with music, and nobody tells you what it is. Later you can look it up online, but at the time you can't cheat. Claire Tomalin actorcheatintersperse share on social
Most writers can tell stories of how their books failed to be made into films. Claire Tomalin bookfailfilm Change image and share on social
Biographers search for traces, for evidence of activity, for signs of movement, for letters, for diaries, for photographs. Claire Tomalin activitybiographerdiary Change image and share on social
If I'm in a state about a book, I'll get up at 6 A.M. and write before breakfast, but usually I'll start afterwards and then work a full day with a break for lunch. Claire Tomalin bookbreakbreakfast Change image and share on social
Dickens was a part of how the whole celebration of Christmas as we know it today emerged during the 19th century. Claire Tomalin 19thcelebrationcentury Change image and share on social
In 2007, several musicologists contacted me at about the same time, expressing interest in the work of the mysterious Muriel Herbert, a few of whose songs they had come across. Claire Tomalin contactexpressherbert Change image and share on social
I was working at the 'Evening Standard' when I heard that there was a job going as deputy literary editor on the 'New Statesman.' I remember thinking, 'That's perfect.' It was three days a week, and I had children, but I could make that work - so I applied for it and got it. Claire Tomalin applychildday share on social
Everyone finds their own version of Charles Dickens. The child-victim, the irrepressibly ambitious young man, the reporter, the demonic worker, the tireless walker. The radical, the protector of orphans, helper of the needy, man of good works, the republican. The hater and the lover of America. The giver of parties, the magician, the traveler. Claire Tomalin ambitiouscharlechild share on social