My philosophy was always try to look like Whitney Houston at all times. That did not work out so well.

I don't think that my job requires me to be competitive at all. I'm in my office by myself, or I'm in my writers' room with my people. I've chosen a job in which there's no competition allowed. It's probably best for everyone.

I truly feel like my job is to make the shows. That's what I'm paid to do. It's somebody else's job to market them, and it's somebody else's job to pay attention to the ratings, because if I paid attention to all that, my head would explode.

I keep getting asked how I write about such smart, strong women, and my response is, what's the alternative? Weak, stupid women? They're just normal people, not role models - if you're aspiring to be like any of them, something's a little bit wrong. You may want to dress like one or have her job, but do not aspire to be her!

Having grown up on a family farm, I am all too familiar with the effects a drought can have on a crop.

I've been very lucky and I have a happy old age with good family and friends still around.

No Catholics in my family.

I think that discipline is so much of an important part of being a parent. Because it's very, very important to teach your children to take responsibility for their actions.