Skip to content

Many friends have said to me, 'I never know when you write…

“Many friends have said to me, 'I never know when you write your books, because I've never seen you writing, or even seen you go away to write.' I must behave rather as dogs do when they retire with a bone; they depart in a secretive manner and you do not see them again for an odd half hour. They…” quote by Agatha Christie
Download Open image
“Many friends have said to me, 'I never know when you write your books, because I've never seen you writing, or even seen you go away to write.' I must behave rather as dogs do when they retire with a bone; they depart in a secretive manner and you do not see them again for an odd half hour. They return self-consciously with mud on their noses. I do much the same.”

Agatha Christie

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The author likens her secretive writing habits to a dog guarding a bone, disappearing briefly and returning with evidence of work.

In simple terms: She works alone, unseen, then shows results.

Key Takeaway

Embrace focused, private work periods.

Themes

creativity solitude discipline

Mood

reflective determined

Type

literary personal

When to use this quote

  • authoring a novel
  • research
  • creative bursts
  • meeting deadlines
  • seeking inspiration

Key Concepts

writing process privacy productivity

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance privacy with needed input?
  • What signals show your progress to others?
A Different Perspective

Isolation can limit collaboration and feedback.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Agatha Christie

Explore all 1,053 Agatha Christie quotes

More Behave quotes

Browse all 1,587 Behave quotes