I've always been a people-watcher, and as an actor, later, I just mined all those little details.

I've not had a mean life.

My parents were devoted. Civic minded. We had family counsels. Three of us children against two of them. We lived a 'Leave It to Beaver' time.

I wanted to put all my family stories down for my girls, and I remember everything so vividly. I just wanted to put everything down while I still can remember it all.

You relate to a character and you find that character within yourself. It's all parts of me. I don't leave characters behind. I just let them go.

A great screenplay is the most powerful bait in Hollywood.

I may be ignorant but I ain't stupid!