In a daydream sort of way, I think it would be pretty cool to direct a movie. But I have been on movie and TV sets and know it is hard work. I like directing it in my mind. It is easier.

You know you're going to get burned from time to time. It's just part of the game. So when it happens you have to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and forget about it because they're about to snap the ball again.

I love movies. Movies have influenced me as a writer.

I've learned over the years that sometimes if you ask the same question more than once you get different responses.

If the system turns away from the abuses inflicted on the guilty, then who can be next but the innocents?

Los Angeles was the kind of place where everybody was from somewhere else and nobody really droppped anchor. It was a transient place. People drawn by the dream, people running from the nightmare. Twelve million people and all of them ready to make a break for it if necessary. Figuratively, literally, metaphorically -- any way you want to look at it -- everbody in L.A. keeps a bag packed. Just in case.

I'm not 'Mr. No-By-The-Book.' I just want to make sure the character is by the book.