Second chances do come your way. Like trains, they arrive and depart regularly. Recognizing the ones that matter is the trick.

The surprise is that you continue to be surprised.

Happy endings aren't for cowards.

Growing up, my two favorite books were Woody Allen's 'Side Effects' and Phyllis Diller's 'Housekeeping Hints.' I carried that Phyllis Diller book with me everywhere when I was in fifth or sixth grade. Eventually, it just fell apart.

I think shrinks are interesting to write about because you get to see what the character chooses to reveal, and what behaviors or stances the character tries out on the shrink that might not be part of the character's make-up outside of that room. It's an emotional test-kitchen.

When I was a newspaper reporter, and later a television writer, I really felt my co-workers became a second family.