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I tend not to know what the plot is or the story is or even the theme. Those things come later, for me.

I think situations are more important than plot and character.

I really don't care about plot. I really, really don't.

Plot and character are virtually the same thing.

Sometimes, I have themes that interest me or that touch on larger issues but, really, I'm just trying to figure out the plot, or how the characters work. I'm trying to make the best story I possibly can.

I am much more aware of making the plot more original, avoiding contrivance, having the story matter much more. I used to think more about symbols consciously. Now I think much more about the story.

When I write I'm never really thinking about themes or the universal.

I much prefer a plotted novel to a novel that is really conceptual.

I always start with characters rather than with a plot, which many critics would say is very obvious from the lack of plot in my films - although I think they do have plots - but the plot is not of primary importance to me, the characters are.

The problem with themes is that writers don't realise they are themes until someone points them out.