Nora Ephron

I haven't watched Julie and Julia yet, and don't know if I would if it weren't written/directed by the oh-so-brilliant, academy award winning and long time author, Nora Ephron. She is one of my biggest role models for many reasons. Not because she has any crazy-different style I'm after, but because she has the ability to connect with her audience and make it feel effortless. She understands that the magic is found in moments that are so beautiful you get lost... and it doesn't matter anymore if they're real. She's one of the best 'natural dialog' writers I've ever known (well, not personally - but maybe one day!) making conversations flow organically, and she's also a strong female director who's respected in the film business, which is profoundly admirable. Some of her films include: When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail, and Sleepless In Seattle - yes, all the romantic comedies others aspire to emulate. She understands chemistry, how to put people together and give them a space that's conducive to creativity. And she's extreeeeeemly passionate about her work. Listen to her in any interview, and you'll know it. She's a true class act.

Jentri

So many of the conscious and unconscious ways men and women treat each other have to do with romantic and sexual fantasies that are deeply ingrained, not just in society but in literature. The women's movement may manage to clean up the mess in society, but I don't know if it can ever clean up the mess in our minds. - Nora Ephron