The greatest predictor of a novel's quality is the novelist's willingness to confront the unlovely truth about himself or herself.

If a Nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization,it expects what never was and never will be....If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free,it is the responsibility of every American to be informed."

"The essence of acting is to be present, to be in the moment, and to be real."