Writers are great lovers. They fall in love with other writers. That's how they learn to write. They take on a writer, read everything by him or her, read it over again until they understand how the writer moves, pauses, and sees. That's what being a lover is: stepping out of yourself, stepping into someone else's skin.

We may love men and we may live with men, but some of them have said stupendously inaccurate things about us, our bodies, and our psyches.

Friendship is a priceless gift, that cannot be bought or sold. But it's value is far greater than a mountain made of gold. For gold is cold and lifeless, it can neither see nor hear. And in time of trouble, it is powerless to cheer. So when you ask God for a gift, be thankful if he sends not diamonds, pearls or riches, but the love of real true friends.

In a sense, evolution adheres to the classic twelve-step program: it takes things one day at a time. It does not strive for perfection; it does not strive at all. There is no progress, no plans, no scala natura, or scale of nature, that ranks organisms from lowly to superior, primitive to advanced.

I did indulge myself in a lot of history reading, to inform myself as to who the real woman was. As far as other actresses’ portrayals, though, I tried to stay clear. It muddles your process, I find.

Don't say you love somebody and then change your mind ... Love isn't like picking what movie you want to watch.

You have your opinion, I have mine, and it takes all kinds of nuts and dips to make a party, right?