My mother, I suppose, is still a main figure in my life because her life was so sad and unfair, and she so brave, but also because she was determined to make me into the Sunday-school-recitation little girl I was, from the age of seven or so, fighting not to be.

When I was a little girl, my mother tried to make me dance, but I did not like it then.

To every little girl her father is a hero.

Well I always wanted to be Dolly Parton when I was a little girl. I was obsessed with her.

I was so rude when I was a little girl.

I got interested in reading very early, because a story was read to me, by Hans Christian Andersen, which was 'The Little Mermaid,' and I don't know if you remember 'The Little Mermaid,' but it's dreadfully sad. The little mermaid falls in love with this prince, but she cannot marry him because she is a mermaid.