Once I’ve discovered the story, I might restructure it, maybe move things around, set up a clue that something is going to happen later, but that happens much later in an editorial capacity. – Michael Ondaatje
It’s a discovery of a story when I write a book, a case of inching ahead on each page and discovering what’s beyond in the darkness, beyond where you’re writing. – Michael Ondaatje
That’s Anil’s path. She grows up in Sri Lanka, goes and gets educated abroad, and through fate or chance gets brought back by the Human Rights Commission to investigate war crimes. – Michael Ondaatje
I’m a Canadian citizen. But I always want to feel at home in Sri Lanka. I’m a member of both countries. – Michael Ondaatje
In the book the relationship with Katharine and Almasy is sort of only in the patient’s mind. – Michael Ondaatje
Research can be a big clunker. It’s difficult to know how you can make the historical light. – Michael Ondaatje
The last three books are much more a case of a moment of history, what happened almost by accident or coincidence, like being in the same elevator or lifeboat. – Michael Ondaatje
It doubles your perception, to write from the point of view of someone you’re not. – Michael Ondaatje
You don’t want to write your own opinion, you don’t want to just represent yourself, but represent yourself through someone else. – Michael Ondaatje
I tend not to know what the plot is or the story is or even the theme. Those things come later, for me. – Michael Ondaatje
The first sentence of every novel should be: Trust me, this will take time but there is order here, very faint, very human. Meander if you want to get to town. – Michael Ondaatje
You’re getting everyone’s point of view at the same time, which, for me, is the perfect state for a novel: a cubist state, the cubist novel. – Michael Ondaatje
I don’t have a plan for a story when I sit down to write. I would get quite bored carrying it out. – Michael Ondaatje
You want to suggest something new, but at the same time, resolve the drama of the action in the novel. – Michael Ondaatje
