I needed to make characters not so superficial. Stuff happens to [people] and I can put that in a book.

I had been writing for newspapers and magazines freelance, and it did not work with kids.

Getting a standing ovation was kind of humbling that so many people are so happy that I have been named for this award. A lot of people say you're due - maybe you are, maybe you aren't - it's an accolade.

It is not so much that people are frustrated (with studios)...They see opportunities.

I do know there are a lot of people who seem to be in my corner, and that's, of course, wonderful, ... I'm really more interested in the nomination than in the award, because I think the nomination just puts you within a group of outstanding actors.

You can't even get people to acknowledge that there's a problem. That's what floors me.