I'm always pre-occupied with what it is that I'm doing at the moment.

The minute you become a leader of a country, you go into a very small club. You join that sort of pantheon of other world leaders.

If you have distance from the events, then your story can work as an analogy or parable, rather than its literal narrative.

To what degree are historians chroniclers of the truth and to what degree are they just novelists, frankly?

Firms are a bit concerned about things like oil prices and US growth but actually the change (in firms expectations) is quite small so I think broadly theyre looking for more of the same.

I wrote 'Hereafter' quickly and without mapping it out too much or being too schematic. As an exercise, I think that was incredibly important.

Generally, I read nonfiction. Theres very little fiction that I enjoy enough to spend my time reading. I am generally a nonfiction guy.

Movies feel like work, and reading fiction feels like work, whereas reading nonfiction feels like pleasure.

I just try and do something good. But as a writer, you're slightly out of control.

I am not a politics wonk. I like the idea of my writing reflecting more about who I am or other people.

The real beauty in my professional experience has been friendships and collaborations with filmmakers.

When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained.

Courage?" I gave a very soft laugh. "I find courage is just another of life's illusions. In the end, we all do what we must.

Come on you target for faraway laughter. Come on you stranger, you legend, you martyr, and shine!

REAR, n. In American military matters, that exposed part of the army that is nearest to Congress.

If a thing is old, it is a sign that it was fit to live. The guarantee of continuity is quality.

Maybe I was just born to argue with men.

The believer does not use God's power; God's power uses him.

The more one learns, the more he understands his ignorance.

Yes, the presidential race is very close, and some public polls show it getting closer as we go into the final hours, but in one sense it's actually been stable for months.

There has been one defining production for me in each decade.