Mark O'Donnell

Everybody has parents. As a dramatist, whenever you write a character, you must write their parents as well, even if the parents aren't there.

I aspired from early on to write a novel, to be in the 'New Yorker,' to be on Broadway, and at least in a fleeting way, I got all those things.

I love writing novels, even if only a few thousand people read them. Here's my soul; I hope it appeals to your soul.

Exhaust the little moment. Soon it dies. And be it gash or gold it will not come Again in this identical guise.

I think the best work flows out of a collaborative environment.

If I can add, say, 10 great new violin concertos to the repertoire before I'm done, that will be truly exciting.