Attitude Quote by T.C. Boyle
“I can't be reading novels when I'm writing a novel, because somebody's voice creeps in. The hardest thing to do is keep the tone and your attitude over the course of a year or however long it takes.But when I'm writing short stories, which I will be doing shortly, I can read anything I like.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Literary Magazine, 2018
Reading novels while writing your own can disrupt your voice; short stories allow freer reading.
In simple terms: Reading similar work can dilute your style.
Key Takeaway
Protect your creative voice.
Themes
creativity
writing process
discipline
Mood
introspective
analytical
Type
literary
advice
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- short story crafting
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
Literary theory
self‑reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you maintain a unique voice?
- When is it okay to read similar works?
A Different Perspective
Balancing inspiration and originality is tough.
![“The hardest thing in a novel is time. You've got [a line like] "two weeks later, he woke up with a headache," and you've got to add up that entire two weeks and what the date is and whether it works. That kind of stuff drives me crazy and if I don't have it exactly right, I can't move forward…” quote by T.C. Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e6e/t-c-boyle-8108_add_the-hardest-thing-in-a-novel-is-time-you_81637.jpg)
