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.

... the decision to kill Maya was easy.

Stop focusing on all the things you haven't done, and start focusing on the things you have.

There are only two types of feedback that matter.

As William Goldman said about Hollywood, “Nobody knows anything.” Learn all you can but trust your instincts.

No one’s in the building. The air is thick like dark molasses and the quiet, unnerving.

How do you trick yourself into believing that you can still do it? That you should keep going even if you know deep down in your soul you’re not going to “win” anymore?

As it is said, film is the rare art form that the artist cannot afford the canvas on which to paint. Digital filmmaking has changed that.