The book doesn't end when you finish writing it. Claire Tomalin bookendfinish Change image and share on social
When dealing with a subject who is dead, you have this feeling of being God. You know who they're going to marry, when they're going to die. It's strange to feel so omniscient. Claire Tomalin deaddealdie Change image and share on social
I enjoyed the whole process of learning and was always happy when autumn came and school or college started up again. Claire Tomalin autumncollegeenjoy Change image and share on social
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
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
'Philomena' was even better than I had expected. I was so pleased to see the evil Irish nuns thoroughly exposed, and I thought Judi Dench gave a flawless performance, as did everybody else. Claire Tomalin denchevilexpect 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
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
