I survived many a youth hostel bunk room reading Tolstoy by flashlight.

It was important for me early on to find the voice of each character and figure out what was unique about them and their individual worldview that I could use for comedy or conflict.

My father was a screenwriter, and I kind of grew up in that world. I always had a mind for characters and dialogue, and my head was filled with that stuff, so it seemed like a good place to start.

My strength as a TV writer was my total lack of interest in television.

My career wasn't planned, never had any targets. I just go by my instincts, and I think I am doing good work.

Being an entrepreneur is tough. Really, really tough.

Even today, you get criticized if you're staying at home, because you're not doing enough with your life, but you get criticized for being a career woman because you're not raising your kids.

Well, my father was in the Army and we traveled quite a bit when I was growing up, and I thought that I would like to have a military career, although I was drawn more towards the Navy.