It is my feeling that a story is not finished until it is read, and that the reader finishes it through his or her life experience, prejudices, worldview and thoughts.

And I think that's important, to know how the water's gone over the dam before you start to describe it. It helps to have been over the dam yourself.

I think it's important to leave spaces in a story for readers to fill in from their own experience.

Their silence comfortable. Something unfolding. But what? Not love, which wrenched and wounded. Not love, which came only once.

If you get the landscape right, the characters will step out of it, and they'll be in the right place.

It's easier to die if others around you are dying.

If you are looking for smart judging based on merit, skip the Academy Awards next year and pay attention to the Independent Spirit Awards.