"I think people become consumed with selling a book when they need to be consumed with writing it"

This quote by Ann Patchett is a suggestion to authors to focus on the craft of composing instead of business of offering a book. She is recommending that writers must be more concerned with the quality of their work than the quantity of books they can offer. Patchett is stressing the value of the imaginative process and the need to be enthusiastic about the composing itself. She is encouraging writers to be consumed with the writing of the book, rather than the selling of it. This quote is a tip to writers that the quality of their work ought to be their primary focus, which the selling of the book should be secondary. Patchett is emphasizing the importance of the imaginative process and the requirement to be enthusiastic about the writing itself. By concentrating on the craft of composing, writers can create a book that will be successful in the market.