When you're dealing with a symbol in a realistic play, it is also a realistic fact. You must expect the audience's mind to work on both levels, symbolically and realistically. But we're trained so much in pure, realistic theater that it's difficult for us to handle things on two levels at the same time.

A lot interests me - but nothing surprises me particularly.

Creativity is magic. Don't examine it too closely.

You...you've been here quite a long time, haven't you?" What? Oh...yes. Ever since I married What's-her-name. Uh, Martha. Even before that. Forever. Dashed hopes, and good intentions. Good, better, best, bested. How do you like that for a declension, young man?

Writing has got to be an act of discovery. Finding out things about what one is writing about.

Sometimes it's necessary to go a long distance out of the way in order to come back a short distance correctly.

I don't like the climate in which writers have to work in the USA and I think it's my responsibility to talk about it.