I didn't seem to have that effect on anyone but it would have been a waste for both of us to be saints.

Perhaps the way to succeed is to think of life on Earth as a colossal joke, a creation of such immense stupidity that the only way to live is to laugh until you think your heart will break.

I don't get nearly enough credit in life for the things I manage not to say.

The imagination can be dangerous. It can change the world. And that is why we write.

Self-knowledge is essential not only to writing, but to doing almost anything really well. It allows you to work through from a deep place - from the deep, dark corners of your subconscious mind.

Osbert was the only one who didn't seem suspicious. He was so interested in the Decline of Western Civilization that he missed the version of it taking place under his nose.

This was what happiness felt like - this wondrous, miraculous alternative to dread.

While working in advertising, I channelled my creative energy into elaborate escape fantasies: cake making, dog breeding, the Peace Corps.

Things Happen and once they start happening you pretty much just to hold on for dear life and see where they drop you when they stop.

If you haven't been in a war and are wondering how long it takes to get used to losing everything you think you need or love, I can tell you the answer is no time at all.

The soldier had stamped my passport FAMILY in heavy black capital letters and I checked it now for reassurance and because I liked how fierce the word looked

Ivy! It's a natural disaster! You have to be there!

I grew up in a rough environment. You want to be strong and have your presence felt out there. That attitude reflects how people see you.

She viewed ethnic cleansing, famine and genocide as direct threats to her furniture.

If you only have one shot at writing a headline, there's a lot of pressure.

You will always have value and nothing can change that.

Who knows, my God, but that the universe is not one vast sea of compassion actually, the veritable holy honey, beneath all this show of personality and cruelty?

Once you've gotten the job, there's nothing to it. If you're an actor, you're an actor. Doing it is not the hard part. The hard part is getting to do it.

The soul has this proof of divinity: that divine things delight it.

I love film; I'd love to do as many films as possible.

As we lay in the semi-dark hours later, we faced each other, sharing his pillow. I'd never felt more connected to anyone.