In today's US, it's possible for almost anyone - women, gays, African-Americans, Jews - to run for, and be elected to, high office.

When you're writing for the screen you're really thinking all the time of what you have to do to make sure that they have the information that they need, that the emotional thread is not snapped, that the story moves at the right speed, to keep the audience hopefully sitting on the edge of their seats or else weeping or laughing.

I'm not saying I am never going to fall in love again, but there is no need to marry.

My parents gave me the gift of irreligion, of growing up without bothering to ask people what gods they held dear, assuming that in fact, like my parents, they weren't interested in gods, and that this uninterest was 'normal.' You may argue that the gift was a poisoned chalice, but even if so, that's a cup from which I'd happily drink again.

All art began as sacred art, you know? I mean, all painting began as religious painting. All writing began as religious writing.

I don't like books that play to the gallery, but I've become more concerned with telling a story as clearly and engagingly as I can.

I grew up reading 'The Jungle Books' and loving them.