Most of my stories have some basis in fact.
I read mostly fiction, a lot of 19th-century novels.
I use a professional researcher in New York who does all the legwork, all that stuff which would take me days and weeks of calling, waiting for people to call back.
I might not be a good socialist, any more than I'm a good Christian, but I am one.
What news? There's nothing to tell. I'm a nun.
In both cases, weakness and scruples had defeated strength and ruthlessness.