Ayobami Adebayo Quotes

I'm often asked how I write books, but I don't think my approach is suitable for everyone. If I walked into a creative writing class, all I could say to them was 'I tend to make it up as I go along.' I'm not sure that's brilliant advice.

Everything can be grist for the muse. Sometimes, writers draw on personal experiences. 'Ghoul' was just that.

Stephen King's 'On Writing' is probably the most useful writing book I've ever read.

I don't want to talk too much about the nitty-gritty of writing. It's rather like a pressure cooker with a certain amount of pressure in it - the more you let out, the less you cook.

I'm always looking at ways of shaking up the writing experience because I think it helps.

I find writing really difficult - definitely the most difficult of all the things I do.

Write what you know. That should leave you with a lot of free time.

As a writer, I'm not convinced that we are the best equipped to understand how we go about the business of literary production.

I always send new writers to 'Writer's Digest Books' line-up of how-to books. I read them all when I was starting out, and they were very helpful.

I never think that any writer can teach someone how to write.

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.

My writing process is a mix of research, personal experiences, washing the dishes, raising kids while thinking - then writing.

I like hearing other writers just about the way they approach writing. It gives me energy for my own work. It's weird; I'm always taking notes about fiction when I'm listening to people talk about craft.

Never sit staring at a blank page or screen. If you find yourself stuck, write. Write about the scene you're trying to write. Writing about is easier than writing, and chances are, it will give you your way in.

I write constantly about everything.

If I had to give young writers advice, I would say don't listen to writers talking about writing or themselves.

I am always trying to write.

Authors like reading. Go figure. So it's not surprising that we sometimes bog down in the research stage of new writing projects.

If you write really good material, the rest just falls into place. There's really no trick to it.

Depending on what I'm working on, I come to the writing desk with entirely different mindsets. When I change form one to the other, it's as if another writer is on the scene.

Business book writing for me is when some set of ideas gets stuck in my mind, I write a book about it. I haven't got a theory and I haven't got a framework.

I don't usually think of my writing as a 'challenge' because I enjoy the process so much. I suppose that's what's helped me to avoid 'writer's block' all these years.

It usually helps me write by reading - somehow the reading gear in your head turns the writing gear.

Sit down to write what you have thought, and not to think about what you shall write.

A lot of young writers ask me about my process. They know what they want to write - but they need to know how. What's the right way? How do the professionals do it? What's the secret?