It absolutely helped - to write the father in both 'Juicy' and 'Beasts,' I had to see the whole story from his point of view. All of a sudden I understood more of what my own father must be going through - the fear, the frustration, the anger... the hope that he'll leave a legacy.

I always market research my books before I hand them in by showing them to five or six close friends who I trust to be honest with me, so they are very heavily re-written already.

Helen Fielding

Men are wise in proportion, not to their experience, but to their capacity for experience. If we could learn from mere experience, the stones of London would be wiser than its wisest men.

George Bernard Shaw

A reporter's ability to keep the bond of confidentiality often enables him to learn the hidden or secret aspects of government.

Bob Woodward

History is an endless repetition of the wrong way of living.

Lawrence Durrell

All of this suggests that while citizens became more comfortable with President Bush after September 11 and thought him to have the requisite leadership skills, they continue to harbor doubts about his priorities, loyalties, interests, and policies.

Thomas E. Mann

Bigot: One who is obstinately and zealously attached to an opinion that you do not entertain.

Ambrose Bierce

The measure of a master is his success in bringing all men around to his opinion twenty years later.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Chance happens to all, but to turn chance to account is the gift of few.

Edward George BulwerLytton

As it turns out, what looks like science sometimes is not.

Jose Padilha

War alone brings up to their highest tension all human energies and imposes the stamp of nobility upon the peoples who have the courage to make it.

Benito Mussolini

We've persevered because of a belief we share with the Iraqi people - a belief that out of the ashes of war, a new beginning could be born in this cradle of civilization. Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq, we have met our responsibility. Now, it's time to turn the page.

Barack Obama

Do little things every day that no one else seems to want to do, be patient, and success will find you.

Brandi L. Bates