Agatha Christie Quotes About Writing, born Agatha Mary Clarissa Miller on September 15, 1890, in Torquay, England, and died on January 12, 1976, is renowned as the “Queen of Mystery.” Her prolific career produced 66 detective novels, 14 short story collections, and The Mousetrap, the world’s longest-running play. With iconic characters like Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple, her works, including Murder on the Orient Express (1934) and And Then There Were None (1939), have sold over two billion copies, making her one of the best-selling authors ever. Christie’s reflections on writing reveal her practical approach, creative process, and passion for storytelling. These 15 quotes—sourced from her autobiography, interviews, and secondary accounts like BrainyQuote and QuoteFancy—capture her insights on the craft of writing, imagination, and the writer’s life, showcasing her wit and wisdom.
15 Agatha Christie Quotes About Writing
- “The best time for planning a book is while you’re doing the dishes.” (Interview, QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “I don’t think necessity is the mother of invention. Invention, in my opinion, arises directly from idleness, possibly also from laziness.” (An Autobiography, AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “There was a moment when I changed from an amateur to a professional. I assumed the burden of a profession, which is to write even when you don’t want to.” (An Autobiography, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” (Interview, minimalistquotes.com, 2022)
- “Imagination is a good servant, and a bad master.” (The Mysterious Affair at Styles, quotefancy.com, n.d.)
- “I just go on writing, and hope it will make sense when it’s finished.” (An Autobiography, lenquotes.com, 2021)
- “Plots come to me at such odd moments, when I am walking along the street, or examining a hat shop window.” (Interview, QuotePark, n.d.)
- “Writing is a great comfort to people like me, who are unsure of themselves and have trouble expressing themselves properly.” (An Autobiography, AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “One’s first book is always the hardest to write, because you don’t know how to do it.” (An Autobiography, minimalistquotes.com, 2022)
- “You start into it, inflamed by an idea, full of hope, full indeed of confidence. If you are properly modest, you’ll never write it at all.” (An Autobiography, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I find that one must have a certain amount of faith in one’s story. If you lose that faith, you’re done for.” (Interview, quotefancy.com, n.d.)
- “The actual writing is the easiest part. It’s the thinking beforehand that takes the time.” (An Autobiography, lenquotes.com, 2021)
- “A book is like a child; you don’t know what it’s going to grow into.” (Interview, QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “To write a good detective story, you must be truthful with the reader, but not give everything away.” (Interview, AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “I never know what my characters are going to do until they do it. They surprise me as much as they surprise the reader.” (An Autobiography, minimalistquotes.com, 2022)
Agatha Christie’s quotes about writing are a delightful mix of practical advice, creative insight, and playful humility, inspiring writers to trust their imagination, embrace the process, and keep going. Which one’s got you ready to pick up the pen? Drop it in the comments and keep her storytelling legacy alive!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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