"Not like in stories, no. ...But then I guess stories tend to cover a lot less time than our lives do." A lot less of being sidetracked going to work or school, dealing with family and friends and the community, and all that, too. There's only the quest and those important for that quest in stories.

"And stories wouldn't have time to let one sleep through the winter or waffle about what they learn for months..." The first, of which, is obviously a reference to Nel.

The second refers to Mary Ann and... some things she has learned. She just doesn't want to deal with being a werewolf.