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
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
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
The sentences I write have their roots in song and poetry, and take their bearings from music and painting, as much as from the need to impart mere information, or mirror anything. I am not a realist writer, even if I seem like one. Colm Toibin bearingimpartinformation 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
The Roman Catholic Church and its rituals were so much part of life that, although my parents would often question a small matter of dogma and none of us seemed more religious than anyone else, no one ever questioned the rituals or the basic tenets of belief. Colm Toibin basicbeliefcatholic 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
When a book comes from the publisher and you see it for the first time... Of course it's not remotely like seeing a baby for the first time, but I can remember with each book what room I was in when I opened it. That would be excitement, though, I think. Not pride. Colm Toibin babybookexcitement share on social
I write with a sort of grim determination to deal with things that are hidden and difficult, and this means, I think, that pleasure is out of the question. I would associate this with narcissism anyway, and I would disapprove of it. Colm Toibin associatedealdetermination 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
