Do not internalize the industrial model. You are not one of the myriad interchangeable pieces, but a unique human being, and if you've got something to say, say it, and think well of yourself while you're learning to say it better.

The surprise is half the battle. Many things are half the battle, losing is half the battle. Let's think about what's the whole battle.

My definition of a 'friend' is, coming from Chicago, someone who says, 'Yeah, sure. You know what? Let's talk about what we can talk about. Let's help each other out. Your politics are none of my business.'

It's hard to write a good plot, it's very hard.

Listen, here's the thing about an English degree - if you sat somebody down and asked them to make a list of the writers they admire over the last hundred years, see how many of them got a degree in English.

Our job, as writers is to do our jobs.

I'm entitled to my political opinions, and I get to vote because I'm an American.