You can be interested in a Jane Smiley novel whether or not anyone says a word. She enters into her characters' thoughts with great understanding and depth. Richard Russo characterdepthenter Change image and share on social
Truth be told, I'm not an easy man. I can be an entertaining one, though it's been my experience that most people don't want to be entertained. They want to be comforted. Richard Russo comforteasyentertain Change image and share on social
A short story is something that I think can be intuited and envisioned and held in your mind almost at once. Richard Russo envisionholdintuit Change image and share on social
I want that which is hilarious and that which is heartbreaking to occupy the same territory in the book because I think they very often occupy the same territory in life, much as we try to separate them. Richard Russo bookheartbreakinghilarious share on social
When I start getting close to the end of a novel, something registers in the back of my mind for the next novel, so that I usually don't write, or take notes. And I certainly don't begin. I just allow things to percolate for a while. Richard Russo backbeginclose share on social
My books are elegiac in the sense that they're odes to a nation that even I sometimes think may not exist anymore except in my memory and my imagination. Richard Russo anymorebookelegiac Change image and share on social
I looked back at some of my earlier published stories with genuine horror and remorse. I got thinking, How many extant copies might there be, who owns them, and do they keep their doors locked? Richard Russo backcopydoor Change image and share on social
HBO is really famous for hiring good people and staying out of their way until they ask for help, or need it. And that reputation is earned. Richard Russo earnfamousgood Change image and share on social
By ignoring a lot of American culture you can write more interesting stories. Unfortunately, if you were writing about America as it is, you'd be writing about a lot of people sitting in front of television sets. Richard Russo americaamericanculture share on social