Every woman likes her own way, but no woman can endure to see another woman master even over a man who does not concern her.

A woman can see a woman so clearly - faluts, excellences, details - all are so clear to her.

I desire a greatness of soul, an irradiance of mind, a deeper insight, a broader hope.

Is there anything so delicious as the first exploration of a great library - alone - unwatched?

You're trying to write about something that's sacred. You're trying to bring the seriousness of life and death to it, and you're trying to find a way to dramatize it, and you're trying to give language to it, which is inadequate. But it's important to try.

I always think that good writers should be growing up on the brink of death - it really lets them see mortality very clearly.

I actually used to make these little plays. I would stand there, and I would act out where I was dying or something. I would make them sit there and watch all my plays. I would be talking in gibberish language, like I was talking in a different language, and my parents would be like, 'Oh that was great!' and I'd be like, 'Wait, it's not done!'

The New Zealand sense of humor is tough and realistic. Jokes are not surreal; they are about life and death and tough decisions.