I lived in the Republic of Ireland. I wrote a book about the North but as an outsider. The hatreds there were not mine. I never felt them. I liked how open in most ways Catalan nationalism was, compared to Irish nationalism. I disliked the violence and cruelty in Ireland. Colm Toibin violencecomparenorth share on social
All writing is a form of manipulation, of course, but you realize that a plain sentence can actually do so much. Colm Toibin writeplainmanipulation 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 bachsibeliuslisten 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 dutywalkneurosis 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 excitbarcelonaage Change image and share on social
Suffering is too strong a word, but writing is serious work. I pull the stuff up from me - it's not as if it's a pleasure. Colm Toibin strongworkstuff Change image and share on social
I first went to Barcelona in 1975 after university, and I stayed for three years. I learnt Catalan because that's what everyone speaks in the mountains. They speak English to foreigners, but what people say to each other is much more important than what they say to you. Colm Toibin yearimportantpeople 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 openremotelybaby share on social
John McGovern taught me that it's OK to write repeatedly about the same things. Colm Toibin thingmcgovernwrite Change image and share on social
The best thing about New York is working late into the night. At 1 in the morning on a Saturday, to be still working, there's an immense satisfaction in being enclosed by it. Colm Toibin morningenclosenight Change image and share on social