If you get stuck, get away from your desk. Take a walk, take a bath, go to sleep, make a pie, draw, listen to music, meditate, exercise; whatever you do, don't just stick there scowling at the problem. But don't make telephone calls or go to a party; if you do, other people's words will pour in where your lost words should be.

Hilary Mantel

Hilary Mantel

Away Bath Calls Desk Draw Exercise Get Go Just Listen Lost Make Meditate Music Other Party People Pie Pour Problem Should Sleep Stick Stuck Take Telephone Walk Whatever Where Will Words You Your

Related Quotes

The experienced writer says to the anguished novice: 'Just do it; get something, anything, on to the screen or page, just establish a flow of words, and criticise them later.' You give this advice but can't always take it.

— Hilary Mantel

AdviceAlwaysAnguished

Writers displace their anxiety on to the tools of the trade. It's better to say that you haven't got the right pencil than to say you can't write, or to blame your computer for losing your chapter than face up to your feeling that it's better lost.

— Hilary Mantel

AnxietyBetterBlame

I have no problem with cheating. Whatever you can get away with.

AwayCheatingGet

Like a historian, I interpret, select, discard, shape, simplify. Unlike a historian, I make up people's thoughts.

— Hilary Mantel

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Imagination only comes when you privilege the subconscious, when you make delay and procrastination work for you.

— Hilary Mantel

DelayImaginationMake