I think I succeeded as a writer because I did not come out of an English department. I used to write in the chemistry department. And I wrote some good stuff. If I had been in the English department, the prof would have looked at my short stories, co...
People change for each other all the time. Take any love story, any great love story at all, and you'll see that people have to be willing to change if they're going to make things work out. Like Shrek, when Fiona tells Shrek that she's sick of his b...
There are stories about "good" vampires like there are stories about the loathly lady who, after a hearty meal of raw horse and hunting hound and maybe the odd huntsman or archer, followed by an exciting night in the arms of her chosen knight turns i...
The ending shouldn't determine the meaning of anything, a story or a life. Logically, I don't think it can--didn't Heidegger say something to that effect? That the meaning of all our moments cannot be contingent upon an end-point over which we have n...
I have learned that I will not change the world, Jesus will do that. I can however, change the world for one person. I can change the world for fourteen little girls and for four hundred schoolchildren and for a sick and dying grandmother and for a m...
It is not the task of a writer to 'tell all,' or even to decide what to leave in, but to decide what to leave out. Whatever remains, that meager sum of this profane division, that's the bastard chimera we call a 'story.' I am not building, but cuttin...
I read and write for character. If I like and can relate to the characters in a story I can enjoy any kind of story. I also want something with a definitive plot—you know, beginning, middle and end--that has forward motion. I don’t like series bo...
The notion that we've made vast moral progress and are now a less violent species is belied by our awesome powers of destruction, our military might, police forces as well-armed as soldiers. Without the threat of such violent force behind it, all law...
This story ["The Depressed Person"] was the most painful thing I ever wrote. It's about narcissism, which is a part of depression. The character has traits of myself. I really lost friends while writing on that story, I became ugly and unhappy and ju...
Your audience is your adversary. If you don't have one get one - imagine it. Imagine it now. To whom is your story addressed and why? Audience is always a creative act of the imagination. You can't tell your story effectively and leave it out. It mus...
We all dream dreams of unity, of purity; we all dream that there's an authoritative voice out there that will explain things, including ourselves. If it wasn't for our longing for these things, I doubt the novel or the short story would exist in its ...
Criswell: [First lines] Greetings, my friends! You are interested in the unknown. The mysterious. The unexplainable. That is why you are here. And now, for the first time, we are bringing you the full story of what happened. We are giving you all the...
Samantha: Last week my feelings were hurt by something you said before: that I don't know what it's like to lose something. And I found myself... Theodore: Oh, I'm sorry I said that. Samantha: No, it's okay. It's okay. I just... I caught myself think...
The Bride: Now, the incident that happened at the Two Pines Wedding Chapel that put this whole gory story into motion, has since become legend. "Massacre At Two Pines". That's what the newspapers called it. The local TV news called it, "The El Paso, ...
Malcolm Tucker: [on the phone] Hi. BBC News Desk, please. Malcolm Tucker. Hi, Ben. Listen, I hear that you might be preparing a story that we might not like. Yeah, please. I just wanted to say, please, this garden-wall story, don't run with that. Sim...
[last lines] Paul Benjamin: Bullshit is a real talent Auggie. To make up a good story you have to know how to push all the right buttons. I'd say you were up there with all the masters. Auggie Wren: What do you mean? Paul Benjamin: I mean um, [chuckl...
Stinky Pete the Prospector: How long will it last, Woody? Do you really think Andy is going to take you to college, or on his honeymoon? Andy's growing up, and there's nothing you can do about it. It's your choice, Woody. You can go back, or you can ...
[Woody's arm is ripped by the Prospector's pickaxe] Stinky Pete the Prospector: It's your choice, Woody. Either you can go to Japan together or in pieces. He fixed you once, he can fix you again. Now get in the box. Woody: Never. Stinky Pete the Pros...
Slinky Dog: Pardon me, gentlemen, but have either of you seen a cowboy doll with a bad arm? Blue Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robot: [politely] Why, no. I haven't. Red Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robot: [yelling] Hey! He was talkin' to me! Blue Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robot: N...
[In the beginning of the movie, Rex just lost a Buzz Lightyear vs. Emperor Zurg game, right when nearly winning] Rex: No, no, no, no. Buzz Lightyear: Oh, you almost had him. Rex: I'm never gonna defeat Zurg! Buzz Lightyear: Sure, you will, Rex. In fa...
Hamm: Excuse me, ladies, but could any of you tell us where we might the Al of Al's Toy Barn? Tour guide Barbie: I can help! [slides down the slide and into the toy car] Tour guide Barbie: I'm Tour Guide Barbie! Please keep your hands, arms, and acce...
