I attended TED in 2007 and 2008, the last two years the conference was held in Monterey. Maria Semple attendconferencehold Change image and share on social
When you need a good laugh, do you reach for a book? I don't. I expect books to move me deeply and submerge me in another reality. So when a novel makes me roar with laughter, it's always a delightful surprise. Maria Semple bookdeeplydelightful share on social
It was important for me early on to find the voice of each character and figure out what was unique about them and their individual worldview that I could use for comedy or conflict. Maria Semple charactercomedyconflict Change image and share on social
My favorite kind of book is a domestic drama that's grounded in reality yet slightly unhinged. Maria Semple bookdomesticdrama Change image and share on social
On Jan. 1, 2012, I resolved to not buy anything from Amazon for a year. Maria Semple amazonbuyjan Change image and share on social
It's great to be able to just go with an idea and not have 10 people in a room telling me why I can't write in a huge mud slide at a school function with 50 kindergartners running around. Maria Semple functiongreathuge Change image and share on social
I try to begin with a strong grasp of my characters. Even if it's schematic, I need it clear in my head who these people are. Maria Semple begincharacterclear Change image and share on social
This is Seattle. We're supposed to have superior taste. Maria Semple seattlesuperiorsuppose Change image and share on social
In my high-minded and naive way, I believed the only books worth reading were the classics. Maria Semple believebookclassic Change image and share on social
On my walks, that's when the good ideas come. The kind of hard, gritty work is when you're sitting at the computer and it's kind of intense and you're kind of in super control of it - the walks are when you let go. That's when the really big breakthroughs come in, and it's very strange. Maria Semple bigbreakthroughcomputer share on social