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.

No matter how wonderful the story, it has to move on something, and that is language. The words that I use, the pace, the rhythm and cadences all need to be there. If they're not there, the story is like a boat that just sits there and doesn't move on the ocean.

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 Quotes