It’s through the small things that we develop our moral imagination, so that we can understand the sufferings of others. Alexander McCall Smith Read Quote
Every single day, I get letters – very moving, overwhelming letters – testifying how much my books have meant to people in times of crisis in their lives, when they were very ill, say. If I ever doubted that writing could play an important part in people’s lives, I don’t doubt that now. Alexander McCall Smith Read Quote
One of the most destructive things that’s happening in modern society is that we are losing our sense of the bonds that bind people together – which can lead to nightmares of social collapse. Alexander McCall Smith Read Quote
If you lose sight of the smaller accomplishments, you end up with an imbalance in your life. Alexander McCall Smith Read Quote
I write four books a year. I’m very fortunate that I write quickly; around 3,500 words a day. Being strict about delineating my writing time and personal life, as well as keeping distractions at bay, is the only way I can accomplish this. Alexander McCall Smith Read Quote
I just focus on getting the first scene right, with a few lines about the overall plot, and then the book grows organically. Alexander McCall Smith Read Quote
As a writer, you have to realize that people want to like the characters, so you have to be careful to keep them involved. Alexander McCall Smith Read Quote
With ’44 Scotland Street’ I found myself having to work out how a daily novel works, and it is completely different to a conventional novel. Alexander McCall Smith Read Quote
Baboons take a bit of getting to know but, apparently, once you break the ice, so to speak, they are complex and interesting creatures with elaborate societies. Alexander McCall Smith Read Quote
