“There is no such thing as realistic dialogue. If you [simply recorded] the real conversation of any people and played it back from the stage, it would be impossible to listen to. It would be redundant . . . . The good dialogue writer is the one who can give you the impression of real speech.”

“Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don't believe is right. ”

“We must truly listen to each other, respecting our essential brotherhood and the courage of those who try to speak, however they may differ from us in professional standing or religious belief or moral vision. We must speak and listen patiently, with good humor, with real expectation, and our dialogue can serve both truth and charity.”

“Every mystery novel I ever read, the great detective was such an arrogant fuck you could replace 70% of his dialogue with 'Are you stupid?' and the conversation would still make sense.”

“Listen to all the conversations of our world, between nations as well as between individuals. They are, for the most part, dialogues of the deaf.”

“It is impossible to discourage the real writers - they don't give a damn what you say, they're going to write.”