I'm a fan of meeting readers face to face, at reader events, where we're able to sit down and take some time to talk. Too often, at regular book signings, I meet readers who have traveled six or eight hours to see me, and I'm unable to spend more tha...
When I see a serious problem, I try to figure out, my way, how to solve it, how to fix it. When I'm back here in the U.S., I'm speaking, raising funds, and everything for what I do overseas, but at the same time, I speak in schools, colleges, on drug...
If I'm not in the dead heat of working on something, I can end up spending tons and tons of time on the Web, and I hate it. I feel the same shame I did in grad school when I was pretty much addicted to reruns of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'. I wi...
When I was younger, I suppose I was interested in checking out as much about writing as I could: bad, weird, irritating, even things not-to-my-taste. Now I am less open. I will decide after a few pages if I want to stay in the world of the book, and ...
When I was around 13 or 14, I started getting really into songwriting. And one day, I was rooting through my mum's old tapes and records, and I found 'Grace' by Jeff Buckley. I remember so vividly the first time I put it on. It blew my mind: his voic...
I tell you it's no joke to paint a portrait. I wonder that I am not more timid when I begin. I feel almost certain that I can do it. It seems very simple. I don't think of the time that is sure to come when I almost despair, when the whole thing seem...
You know that feeling when you finish a final exam and you think, 'I never want to do that again'? Well I have the same feeling when I finish a novel. Each time I say, 'I think I may retire now' and then after six months the ideas start to churn agai...
Abbe Faria: The slot opens twice a day. Once in the morning for your toilet bucket, which is where we hide the dirt. And once more in the evening for your plate. Between those times, we can work all day without fear of discovery. Edmond: So neglect b...
Anthony: That waitress sized us up in two seconds. We're black and black people don't tip. So she wasn't gonna waste her time. Now somebody like that? Nothing you can do to change their mind. Peter: So, uh... how much did you leave? Anthony: You expe...
Ilsa: I wasn't sure you were the same. Let's see, the last time we met... Rick: Was La Belle Aurore. Ilsa: How nice, you remembered. But of course, that was the day the Germans marched into Paris. Rick: Not an easy day to forget. Ilsa: No. Rick: I re...
[after saving Sheeta from the robot, the Dola Gang are flying off. Sheeta is crying against Pazu's shoulder] Louis: Sheeta, you okay? Charles: If I did something wrong, I'd really like to apologize for it, Sheeta. Dola: We *all* did something wrong, ...
Miss Shields: [reading Ralphie's theme in his fantasy, she clutches his essay to her chest] Oh! The theme I've been waiting for all my life. Listen to this sentence: "A Red Ryder BB gun with a compass in the stock, and this thing which tells time". P...
Hans Gruber: Theo, are we on schedule? Theo: One more to go then it's up to you. And you better be right, because it looks like this last one is going to take a miracle. Hans Gruber: It's Christmas, Theo. It's the time of miracles. So be of good chee...
Alex: I have reflected many times upon our rigid search. It has shown me that everything is illuminated in the light of the past. It is always along the side of us, on the inside, looking out. Like you say, inside out. Jonathan, in this way, I will a...
Narrator: You know what, I really think it's time you got out of here. Marla Singer: Oh don't worry, I'm leaving. Narrator: Not that we don't enjoy your little visits... Marla Singer: You know you are such a nutcase, I can't even begin to keep up!
Raoul Duke: Take me back to the pits. Lacerda: No, no no no! We have to go on! We need *total* coverage! Raoul Duke: [Narrating] It was time, I felt, for an agonizing reappraisal of the whole scene. Raoul Duke: You're fired! [Lacerda looks at him lik...
M. Gustave: If I die first, and I almost certainly will, you will be my sole heir. There's not much in the kitty, except a set of ivory-backed hairbrushes and my library of romantic poetry, but when the time comes, these will be yours. Along with wha...
Marcus Aurelius: You have proven your valor once again, Maximus. Let us hope for the last time. Maximus: There is no one left to fight, sire. Marcus Aurelius: There is always someone left to fight. How can I reward Rome's greatest general? Maximus: L...
Cherry: Look, you were being an unbelievable dick. I was walking out on you. I was cold, I took your fucking jacket. So, if you're go on one of your psycho, obsessive, controlling rants about a fucking jacket, then fucking take it 'cuz I'd rather fuc...
Roberta: [after showing her weird short film to her art class] That piece is entitled "Mirror, Father, Mirror". I like to show it to people that I'm meeting for the first time because I think it says so much about who I am and what it feels like to i...
Minerva McGonagall: Potter, I assume you're here for a reason. What do you need? Harry Potter: Time. As much as you can get me, Professor. Minerva McGonagall: Do what you have to. I'll secure the castle.