Quotes of the Day

Were you ever nervous about how people would react to your autobiographical writing? —Allie Lane, Derry, N.H.
Sure. I think everybody worries about how they come off. How much power you give it over you is another thing. I don't want to make my family uncomfortable. I show them anything I've written about them, and they have veto power. I don't mean anything in a snarky way. I try to be evenhanded. Everyone I talk about, I care about.

Your parents are actress Debbie Reynolds and the late singer Eddie Fisher. What was it like growing up in a show-business family? —Ernie Barrera, Lakeside, Calif.
You mean compared with when I didn't grow up in a showbiz family? I don't know. The only thing I know is that it sets you apart from other people, which I didn't like. I grew up in a house that looked like a giant air conditioner, but we were very well taken care of. Eventually, I paid as I played, but I guess I was on movie sets more than other kids.

I've struggled with alcohol addiction and clinical depression. What are your ways of coping? —Jason Incerto, Toronto
I have coped with it [through] the available means. I believe in expertise: medication, talk therapy, shock treatment, 12 steps. I think you have to do it in a community. You can't do that kind of trek alone. There's a lot of wisdom out there.

What is the biggest misconception about bipolar disorder?—Gary Bebout, Los Angeles
The big thing happening now that seems bizarre is that they're diagnosing everyone with it. Anyone with a mood: Oh, they're bipolar. We're probably the most medicated society in the world. But misconceptions, I don't know. We're good dancers. All of us.

How do you get inspired to write? —Vanda Bobaly, Paris
A lot of times, it's when I'm upset, and I'll want to get it out of me and onto paper, where it's safer. It hurts less when you put things into words. I also read to get inspired. I listen to music. I handwrite. Roller-ball pens on yellow pads. I have to have my little rituals, and then everything's all right. [Otherwise] I get writer's block. Or, no, laziness — I don't know about writer's block. Sometimes I just don't wanna, and that's not good.

What single event in your life are you the proudest of? —Susan Bromen, Belle Plaine, Minn.
I'm proud that my daughter turned out as well as she has. She is kind of an event for me. Maybe I'm more of an event for her. But I'm proud that my daughter has survived me.

Which Star Wars movie was your favorite? Least favorite? —Daniel Johnson, Rockaway, N.J.
Empire was my favorite. It was the most emotional one. Irv Kershner, who just passed away, was very thorough. There was character work to do. I didn't like the third one, but I liked the metal bikini. I wish I could still get into it. I didn't like Jar Jar Binks [from the most recent films]. But I'd rather be more judgmental about my three.

Is the Princess Leia character the dark side of the force in your professional career? —Ramón Salas, Los Teques, Venezuela
Oh, no. It was fun! I was young. People want it to be a problem for me. No. Those are great movies. Why shouldn't I be proud of being in that? The dark side? You ever see Hollywood Vice Squad? Or the Star Wars Holiday Special? How about Under the Rainbow? Was Star Wars the dark side? There's so much competition for that one.

If you could give advice to your 22-year-old self, what would it be? Would you even listen? —John Musgrave, Reno, Nev.
Put those pills down! [Laughs.] No, I wouldn't have listened.

When you look back, is there an age that you would like to do over again? —Kristen Cole, Northampton, Mass.
No. I don't like to regret things. We can't do them over, so it's just torturing yourself. Any pain I caused my daughter, I'd like to do [that age] over again, but I can't, so I'll be better now.