It's one thing to say you're for the war; it's another thing to send your kid to war - your daughter or your son. Tim O'Brien daughterkidsend Change image and share on social
I received my draft notice right after graduation from college and had three months before going into the Army in September to think about it. Tim O'Brien armycollegedraft Change image and share on social
Unlike Chicago or New York, small-town Minnesota did not allow a man's failings to disappear beneath a veil of numbers. People talked. Secrets did not stay secret. Tim O'Brien beneathchicagodisappear Change image and share on social
The goal, I suppose, any fiction writer has, no matter what your subject, is to hit the human heart and the tear ducts and the nape of the neck and to make a person feel something about the characters are going through and to experience the moral paradoxes and struggles of being human. Tim O'Brien characterductexperience share on social
When writing, I'm not thinking about war, even if I'm writing about it. I'm thinking about sentences, rhythm and story. So the focus, when I'm working, even if it's on a story that takes place at war, is not on bombs or bullets. It's on the story. Tim O'Brien bombbulletfocus share on social
I did not set out to write another novel. One day I sat down with the thought of trying my hand at a piece of nonfiction, a personal memoir of youth, but over the next several weeks, without intending it, the work began evolving into what has become 'Tomcat in Love.' Tim O'Brien begindayevolve share on social
In February 1969, 25 years ago, I arrived as a young, terrified PFC on this lonely little hill in Quang Ngai Province. Back then, the place seemed huge and imposing and permanent. Tim O'Brien agoarriveback Change image and share on social
I showed up in October 1946, part of an early surge that would become a great nationwide baby boom. My sister Kathy was born a year later. Tim O'Brien babybearboom Change image and share on social
Most of the things in 'The Things They Carried' didn't happen to me. Ninety-five percent of it's invented. It's not what occurred. Tim O'Brien carryhappeninvent Change image and share on social
There's something about being amid the chaos and the horror of a war that makes you appreciate all you don't have - and all you may lose forever. Tim O'Brien amidchaosforever Change image and share on social
