... well-rendered and delivered dialogue can surprise and turn a story on its head in ways that action scenes only very rarely can ...

"... we went this far, let's not leave anything unturned."

It is a shining example of how a film can be distinguished just as much by what its script doesn’t reveal as what it does.

And there I was in the fancy office of a multi-million-dollar production house where I acted like a 10-year-old schoolboy sent to the principal’s office.

The more pressure you put on yourself, the less likely you are to write. Instead of setting huge daily/weekly goals, set goals that you can easily accomplish.

Only after he was on the other side filming at a particular angle, he saw the thin thread he somehow missed that would have set off explosives.

You don’t have to love the ride, but accepting it is freeing.

Not wanting to turn into a bitter (or incarcerated) adult, and also a seasoned aficionado of sugar, I suffered DEEPLY from bag envy.

It may start with our mother’s heartbeat, but when we enter the brutal reality of the world, we hear the cascading rhythms of human voices, outside world noises … and, if we’re lucky … some form of musical notes.

I suffer because I said yes to myself, not because I ignored or silenced or starved the relentless fire in my guts.

You have to actually write a book to get better at writing books.

Think like a salesman ... if you have a product you need to sell, which would you rather have? More potential buyers? Or fewer?

Look, I know she's dead, but I have a new crush on Joan Fontaine ...

... as soon as you get your first one-star review, you have made it. I mean it ... Then, have a glass of wine, stick your tongue out and move on.

... you need to make us want you again.