In every society, the artists will be the ones who set themselves up as contrary to whatever the society expects.

Oh, that sound? I'm in the hot tub, reading a novel.

Many people, myself among them, feel better at the mere sight of a book.

Every first draft is perfect, because all a first draft has to do is exist.

I suspected that there were things he knew that I had been waiting all my life to learn.

In many ways, being honest about 'Huckleberry Finn' goes right to the heart of whether we can be honest about our heritage and our identity as Americans.

Even if my marriage is falling apart and my children are unhappy, there is still a part of me that says, 'God, this is fascinating!'

Take naps. Often new ideas come together when you are half asleep, but you have to train yourself to remember them.

Candy is my fuel. Ice cream, too.

But what truly horsey girls discover in the end is that boyfriends, husbands, children, and careers are the substitute-for horses

I'm a natural novelist. I'm interested in the person and the group, and how they mesh. And one of the ways I don't want them to mesh is for the person to be subsumed into the group.

My success just evolved from working hard at the business at hand each day.

It's nothing really. It's the unique presentation that makes me look good in the action scenes. Why did I dare do them? That's a funny question! Why do I act? Why do I breathe!

The indwelling presence and power of the Spirit are to be sought and received by faith in God's word of promise.

Once we decided to do a tower in New York, it had to say something about our group, reflecting the mix of modernity and creativity in our organization. It's a symbol.

I try not to play two days in succession. I usually try to space it so I have a day in between.

Everyone, at any age, has talents that aren't fully developed-even those who reach the top of their profession.

Though we take from a covetous man all his treasure, he has yet one jewel left; you cannot bereave him of his covetousness.

I just couldn't go back to Suddenly Susan after David Strickland's suicide. I didn't see how we could make the show light and funny any more.

Design without discipline is anarchy, an exercise of irresponsibilit y.

We are like the phoenix," said Abuelita. "Rising again, with a new life ahead of us.