My sister is a good story of resiliency. She had a full ride at UC Davis, but she left school to go to the Philippines - and then she decided to go back to school in her 40s, which surprised me. She went to UC Berkeley, and I think she was one of two...
Even the dullest bird or face becomes interesting when you give it a good look in the wild/flesh. The way the shadow drops across the cheek, the light hits an eyebrow, etc... there are many more angles, positions etc. than you can ever imagine. My he...
To boast takes great courage. Being left speechless with joy is not for the weak. We forget to be surprised by everyday miracles, like toast springing up, the mesmerizing blue in the sky, or even simple friendships. To touch and remember this delicat...
I am convinced that we as adults must constantly cling to, affirm, and celebrate with our children those things we love, sunsets, laughter, the taste of a good meal, the warmth of a hickory fire shared by real friends, the joy of discovery and accomp...
A love affair is like a short story--it has a beginning, a middle, and an end. The beginning was easy, the middle might drag, invaded by commonplace, but the end, instead of being decisive and well knit with that element of revelatory surprise as a w...
A few people have tried to make me see that my writing isn't quite their thing by saying to me: 'What about realism?' To which my general response is, 'What about it?' However, I wouldn't be at all surprised if one of my favorite writers, Marilynne R...
When I was a child I devoured every book I could get my hands on. I loved losing myself in colourful and dramatic stories - and my absolute favourite was 'Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.' Everything about it electrified me, and when I re-read Roal...
No one should use flattery, it is another way to engage in prostitution; difference is that a sex worker sells her body, but a flatterer his/her conscience. It is not surprising to see such people, because as a sex work, it is one of the ancient jobs...
The Book revealed to Muhammad is one and unique of its kind. It has left indelible impression on the hearts of humanity. Nothing can overcome its majesty. The Quran has given new dimensions to human thinking - Surprising reforms, stunning success! Th...
The audience today has heard every joke. They know every plot. They know where you're going before you even start. That's a tough audience to surprise, and a tough audience to write for. It's much more competitive now, because the audience is so much...
The Legend of the Firefish,first in the Trophy Chase Trilogy by George Bryan Polivka, is a winner....filled with action,adventure, danger, intrigue,surprise,suspense....The characters Polivka created are fresh and interesting....A must read for fanta...
Some people might be surprised that 'Rambo's creator has a doctorate in American literature. One of my influences is Henry James, whose major theme is awareness. Whether I'm writing about military personnel, law enforcement, or De Quincey, the persis...
I grew up on movie sets, so it was something I just found familiar. When I was growing up also, in high school, I would audition for things and my parents let me audition for things - with the thought that I wouldn't get them. And then I would get th...
I usually start with an ending, then outline high points of things that happen, and kind of make up the rest as I go along. Occasionally, the characters surprise me, and I wonder how we got here. Other times, the characters are stubborn and won't do ...
Tom Hagen: It would be like trying to kill the President; there's no way we can get to him. Michael Corleone: Tom, you know you surprise me. If anything in this life is certain - if history has taught us anything - it's that you can kill *anybody*.
Louise Vargo: This is my book. Louie: No, it isn't. I got it off from the dead guy, Ghost Dog. Louise Vargo: It takes place in feudal Japan. [Louie is surprised and speechless] Louise Vargo: It's a really good book. You should read it.
Bill: Was my reaction really that surprising? The Bride: Yes, it was. Could you do what you did? Of course you could. But, I never thought you would or could do that to me. Bill: I'm really sorry, Kiddo. But you thought wrong.
[after Lazarus has been resurrected] Saul: How do you feel? Lazarus: I like the light. Saul: What was it like? Which is better: Death, or life? Lazarus: I was a little surprised... wasn't that much difference. [pause] Saul: Give me your hand. [stabs ...
Kim: Where are we? Bryan: I told you. It's a surprise. [Sheerah opens the door] Sheerah: Hi. Bryan: Hi. [Kim stares at Sheerah, stunned to meet her face to face] Bryan: [chuckles] When someone says 'hi,' it's usually polite to say 'hi' back. Kim: H-H...
I'm first and foremost a company man, surprising as that is. I love Warner Brothers. That's where I have a deal. That's where I've been for years. So I don't really interact too much with other studios and do things with other studios and I don't nec...
The designers usually don't like to say until we're on the runway. Like when I did Prada last year, I couldn't mention doing Prada or even Tweet or take a picture and put it on Twitter saying I was backstage at the Prada show. And Dolce was the same ...
