“It’s great when people appreciate your work, but I don’t know how seriously to take it. The amazing thing is that I found something so early that I can support myself doing, and that can even be extremely lucrative, but I love it either way.”
“The more I have a sincere connection to something, the less acting is required. And the more it’s about creating the space to feel that connection and to feel that shift from yourself. And start interpreting things through new eyes.”
“Of course, De Niro has had a long history of memorable performances. Everyone knows ‘Taxi Driver’ and ‘Raging Bull,’ but ‘Awakenings’ really did something for me.”
“I’m a dramatist, so I really always wrote and directed at the same time because when I wrote something, I always put it on its feet. So I’m in love with actors; I always loved actors.”
“Writing is writing. It’s an abiding, wonderful talent, craft, gift that stays with you your whole life. And you can go in different forms, and you can try them. Look at me: I’m writing novels because I found something I love because I tried it.”
“Coconut water is just the best for you; it’s always something we had in Brazil. Since I was a little girl, I’ve been drinking it.”
“If you’re having dinner with friends and they’re always on the phone or always texting, it’s just impolite. Unless it’s something important – like someone is in the hospital or something – don’t do it.”
“My dad would always tell me, ‘When you meet a man, look him in his eye and shake his hand,’ and that’s just something I’ve been doing for a long time.”
“As a reader, when the writer gets sentimental, you drift, because there’s something fishy going on there. You recognize a moment that’s largely about the writer and the writer’s own need to believe in something that might not in fact exist. As a reader, you think, ‘Where did the story go? Where did the person I’m reading about go?’”
“I find it easier to write in the winter in Melbourne. When the weather is good you want to go out for a walk, ride a bike, go to a cafe or something. When it’s raining, when it’s a miserable day, I just sit down at my desk and get some work done.”