I was just restless with being in school; so I went out to Los Angeles.

But here's the thing: what you do as a screenwriter is you sell your copyright. As a novelist, as a poet, as a playwright, you maintain your copyright.

The next thing I wrote was in a writing class at night school. It was about a poor woman who worked at a dime store and who was all alone for Christmas in Laurel, Mississippi.

Somehow I got to be one of five or six actors that the directors would use as guinea pigs at this directing colloquium, where people pay to listen to and watch the directors direct.

It's really interesting that whenever you do something that is so out of character, like having an emotional outburst, that you don't get in trouble.

My first few plays took place in the South and even The Lucky Spot was in the thirties but in Louisiana.

In movement class, you had to lie on the floor and get your alignment in to pass the class.

That's what I like about [smoking] . . . taking a drag off of death, Mmm! Gives me a sense of controlling my own destiny. What power! What exhilaration! Want a drag?

It was kind of enlightening to become a playwright.

What I loved about the acting class was that you got to think all day long about a person that wasn't you, and figure out why they were sad and what they wanted, what they dreamed.

I find it fascinating to think about what the world is going to be like when people won't talk anymore.

The secret strength of a nation is found in the faith that abides in the hearts and homes of the country.

Some people might say that I think too highly of you just because I worship the water you walk on.

I was ridiculed in public school for being smart. A teacher's pet.

If you want to make your children brilliant, tell them fairy tales. If you want to make them more brilliant, tell them more fairy tales.

There is no one as strong as a person whose heart is always filled with gratitude.

Money can buy a fine dog but it is kindness that makes him wag his tail.

If I want to kiss, I shall kiss. If I am told that a lovemaking scene is integral to the script, I will consider it.

God can use even stray, honest comments to bring people to himself.

You don't get respect if you don't deserve it.

I love my wife, I love my kids.