The problem with the contemplative life was that there was no end to contemplation, no fixed time limit after which thought had to be transformed into action. Contemplation was like sitting on a committee that seldom made recommendations and was ignored when it did, a committee that lacked even the authority to disband.

Early life and education
Russo was born in Johnstown New York and raised in nearby Gloversville. Russo wrote the teleplay for the HBO adaptation of Empire Falls the screenplay for the 2005 film Ice Harvest and the screenplay for the 2005 Niall Johnson film Keeping Mum which starred Rowan Atkinson. The couple have two daughters Kate and Emily.