"And I find - I'm 63, and my capacity to be by myself and just spend time by myself hasn't diminished any. That's the necessary part of being a writer, you better like being alone"

John Irving's quote speaks to the significance of solitude for writers. He acknowledges that even at the age of 63, his capacity to be alone and enjoy his own company has actually not diminished. This suggests that he values the time he invests alone and discovers it essential for his writing. It implies that authors need to be comfy with their own company in order to succeed. This might be due to the fact that it enables them to focus on their work without diversions, or because it provides the opportunity to reflect and believe deeply about their writing. Whatever the reason, it is clear that John Irving thinks that having the ability to enjoy privacy is a crucial part of being an author.