Biography

I always started writing in order to act. I don't know that I could have the discipline to sit down and write if I was going to give it away. That would be too hard. But I love to act in stories that are outside my imagination because I can only conceive of so many things from my point of view. The thing that's intoxicating about being an actor is that you get to live in someone else's world for a while and I hope to do more of that. But I think I'll never stop writing now because I'm wondering why there aren't more representatives of women that are like the women we know. Where's the film with the women who are complicated and strong and beautiful and sexy and interesting and of all body types? You don't get to see enough of them. So there's something important in attempting to write them for myself and for the insanely talented women out there.

[on why she decided to become a screenwriter in relation to her being an actress] How terrifying to surrender your life to being chosen all the time. Having to be chosen and re-chosen. Writing so that I can act became a way of having not more control over my future but not having to wait for permission. You can choose yourself. Hmm, who should play this part? I nominate me!

We're all drinking from this cultural milk in which there are not many stories of strong, powerful, sexy, entitled women because there are not yet that many female writer-directors, but that's changing. That confusion-that oh my God she writes!-is so strange. It's funny. I just think there aren't many representations of how to be a girl or woman in the world.

The only reason I wanted to act is because it's the hardest thing in the world for me to do. I can't think of anything harder. I could probably be a heart surgeon easier. Acting requires this kind of monastic discipline.

Cinema, traditionally has been about how men are looking at women. I do think we're breaking that up now with more female directors, I think we're starting to see the female gaze.