[On growing up in a large family with little money:] ... to take a bath ... we just had a pan of water and we'd wash down as far as possible, and we'd wash up as far as possible. Then, when somebody'd clear the room, we'd wash possible.

I really learned to sing in church, I think, really with emotion.

If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one.

One of the things I'm real proud of is I just made a deal with 20th Century Fox, and I've got my own production company now. I'm developing some television and movies for other people because I have a lot of fresh new ideas. To write is what I love the most.

I just write all the time. In my whole life I've never had what I've heard people talk about writer's block. I've never had that. Life is like a song to me. I just hear everything in music, so I have never once thought "Well, I'm never gonna be able to write again." I've got thousands of songs.

I love story songs because I've always loved books.

I hope you're never happy with anybody but me, and every face you look into, I hope you're haunted by me. Yes, I'm possessive and jealous, at least I speak honestly.