“...consider yourself a functional character in someone else's novel - a background character - a person on the street - that's the perspective ...”

“...I didn't want you flawless - I have a bare wall at home that's flawless - I wanted your character trapped in the amber of your skin...”

“...if you're an actor, and you've thought your way into the part, then you're character portrayal will have authority...”

“...you've lost perspective? Well, get it back - God alone has the third person point of view in this life ...”

“...each person is required to ask, 'what is my authority?' - on what do you base your decisions? if it's yourself, then you are without excuse...”

“...there's nothing more lovely than your lamplight, seen from a dark street...”

“...If I ever got sloppy and maudlin, it would be for the streets of my childhood—but no self- respecting writer should ever eulogize a slum...”