If a story isn't working, I'm simply unable to finish it. That's what usually tells me something is wrong.

I consider myself the luckiest man in the world. I have spent a lifetime doing what I love.

There are very few of us, who reach my advanced age, who are still working in the business, as writers. As artists, people can hang out longer.

It's all about who's where on the food chain. When I'm the story editor, I expect my writers to follow my vision. When I'm working for another editor, I'm obliged to follow their vision.

I've never sat down and thought about the difference between plot and theme. To me, that's never been important.

I've never had to work out of the arts. I've always either been a writer or an editor, or something where I've made my living from doing what I love. You can't get any better than that.

I'm a neurotic New York Jew by birth. Creating characters is second nature to me.