“Take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to …” — Erica Jong

As a past president of the Writers Guild, I think women shouldn't write for free. Maybe you have to do it for a time, to make a reputation, but I think the idea of giving your work away is the beginning of authors not being able to make a living.

All my forebears worked for a living. My grandfather painted portraits. My mother too. My aunt painted seascapes.

Is a currency worth anything if no one wants it? We used to buy shoes in Italy. Remember?

I think feminism means what it has always meant - women want to use all their gifts, all their talents and be judged impartially for them. I don't think feminism has ever meant anything else.