Everything makes you who you are, so I was lucky that I had a good family that was horrified by what I wanted to do but was also supportive of it, right to the very end.

[My catholic education] sticked with me. It caused the rage I had to make 'Pink Flamingos.'

I learned that people like my work because I praise things that others don't like.

You should never read just for "enjoyment." Read to make yourself smarter! Less judgmental. More apt to understand your friends' insane behavior, or better yet, your own. Pick "hard books." Ones you have to concentrate on while reading. And for god's sake, don't let me ever hear you say, "I can't read fiction. I only have time for the truth." Fiction is the truth, fool! Ever hear of "literature"? That means fiction, too, stupid.

You have to remember that it is impossible to commit a crime while reading a book.

And my little sister Chrissy, for teaching me that life is nothing if you're not obsessed.

You go to school to figure out who you want to be and how you can do it, and [maybe] I should have, because the films would probably be technically better.