On lady novelists: As artists they're rot, but as providers they're oil wells; they gush. Norris said she never wrote a story unless it was fun to do. I understand Ferber whistles at her typewriter.

This is me apologizing. I am a fool, a bird-brain, a liar and a horse-thief. I wouldn't touch a superlative again with an umbrella.

Benchley and I had an office in the old Life magazine that was so tiny, if it were an inch smaller it would have been adultery.

If I had any decency, I'd be dead. Most of my friends are.

[When asked what was the inspiration for most of her work:] Need of money, dear.

I like best to have one book in my hand, and a stack of others on the floor beside me, so as to know the supply of poppy and mandragora will not run out before the small hours.

She will never win him, whose words had shown she feared to lose.