People's interest in glamour and clothes and nylon stockings and all those things were, when I was a little boy, the sort of world that I listened to. Colm Toibin boyclotheglamour Change image and share on social
Describe character using dialogue. Describe character using what the characters see or do or think, but not what they had done or where they had been. Colm Toibin characterdescribedialogue Change image and share on social
I wrote every day between the ages of 12 and 20 when I stopped because I went to Barcelona, where life was too exciting to write. Colm Toibin agebarcelonaday Change image and share on social
I don't think we have a right to enjoy our neuroses; in fact, I believe that we have a duty not to. But we cannot walk away from ourselves. Who else is there to become? Colm Toibin dutyenjoyfact Change image and share on social
I work very deliberately, with a plan. But sometimes I come to a point that I planned as the end and it needs softening. Ending a novel is almost like putting a child to sleep - it can't be done abruptly. Colm Toibin abruptlychilddeliberately share on social
Between the ages of 8 and 12 it was difficult to know what my father was saying, and he moved very slowly, and then he died. Colm Toibin agediedifficult Change image and share on social
It really matters to writers to find and treasure readers, all the more when they're on the other side of the world. Colm Toibin findmatterreader Change image and share on social
I never listen to music when I am writing. It would be impossible. I listen to Bach in the mornings, mostly choral music; also some Handel, mostly songs and arias; I like Schubert's and Beethoven's chamber music and Sibelius' symphonies; for opera, I listen to Mozart and in recent years Wagner. Colm Toibin ariabachbeethoven share on social
Three of my novels and a good number of my short stories are told from the point of view of men. I was brought up in a house of women. Colm Toibin bringgoodhouse Change image and share on social
The only routine I have is that I finish everything I start. I wake up early every day - about 6.30 A.M. - but I do not work every day. I could laze for a day or two, but I wouldn't do it for three. Colm Toibin dayearlyfinish Change image and share on social