I have never written anything in one draft, not even a grocery list, although I have heard from friends that this is actually possible.

Fred Astaire is my hero. I love him because he was willing to kill himself to make his art look effortless. And because he proved it's possible to be an artist and a good person.

I learned everything I know about plot from Dame Agatha (Christie).

And every place and time an author writes about is imaginary, from Oz to Raymond Chandler's L.A. to Dickens's London.

It is my belief that everything you need to know about the world can be learned in a church choir.

Why do only the awful things become fads? I thought. Eye-rolling and Barbie and bread pudding. Why never chocolate cheesecake or thinking for yourself?

I have great faith in the future of books - no matter what form they may take - and of science fiction.

Science fiction is an amazing literature: plot elements that you would think would be completely worn out by now keep changing into surprising new forms.

To do something for someone or something you loved-England or Shakespeare or a dog or the Hodbins or history-wasn't a sacrifice at all. Even if it cost you your freedom, your life, your youth.

Writers are too neurotic to ever be happy.

Cats, as you know, are quite impervious to threats.

They've drummed the miraculous out of you, but you don't want it to be like that. You want the miraculous. You want everything to still be new.

The impossible is what we achieve through art.

Like all stories of creators who bring life from the dead, his story began with a struggling butcher, who chased a gray cat, caught it, took off its studded collar, and slit its throat.

In time of war the devil makes more room in hell.

Is there a medical rule that requires doctors-office personnel to treat you as though you have the IQ of a Cheeto?

The best work flows from us effortlessly. Allow the gifts of spirit to come to you.

We’re all gifted with the opportunity to succeed. But you get further if you extend the hand of friendship.

People is the name of the body, State of the spirit, of that ruling person that has hitherto suppressed me.

Buy less, buy better, and really wear it.

Now, all the movies are for teenagers. It's very difficult for an actress to find really deep, beautiful characters to play.