Writing criticism is to writing fiction and poetry as hugging the shore is to sailing in the open sea.

When I meet gay fans out and about they're so great to talk to - and I'm big on hugging because I'm from the Midwest. They're just so energetic and loving. I'm proud to have those fans and their support means a lot to me. I don't want just girls coming to my movies I want guys to come too!

The Seinfeld motto: No learning no hugging.

My folks were raised pure prohibitionist. They were very good people with high moral standards - but very repressed. There was no hugging and kissing in my home.

The only failure one should fear is not hugging to the purpose they see as best.

Really you just gotta keep chugging along and keep a positive attitude and get through all the problems. You gotta face them otherwise you don't get through.

There's a sense of aliveness that comes from connection shared experience. And you see it in every place. You see it when ball players jump up and down gather at home plate hugging and it's not just because they're winning it's that shared moment that feeling of - we enter the world alone we leave alone.