I don't want the giant ego. I don't want to become Kevin Costner, singing on the soundtrack to The Postman.

I designed 'Buffy' to be an icon, to be an emotional experience, to be loved in a way that other shows can't be loved. Because it's about adolescence, which is the most important thing people go through in their development, becoming an adult.

Don’t give people what they want, give them what they need.

You are talking crazy-person talk. Put your words in word places please.

I've become less cynical, which is appalling but kind of cool.

At the end of the day I have many answers for it. It has to do with my mom, who was an extraordinary woman, and a great feminist. It has to do with the people in my life. It has to do with a lot of different things, but -- I don't know! Because I'm not just writing from the female characters for other people. I have a desire to see them in our culture -- that was not met for most of my childhood. Except occasionally by James Cameron. [From the 2011 San Diego Comic Con, in response to being asked why he writes strong female characters.]

What I love most about icons is finding out what's behind them, exploring the price of their power.