My mother had a very difficult childhood, having seen her own mother kill herself. So she didn't always know how to be the nurturing mother that we all expect we should have. Amy Tan childhooddifficultexpect Change image and share on social
She said 'I'm by commission. You don't have to pay anything until you sell anything.' I said, 'Well fine. You want to be my agent and not make anything.' I thought, 'Boy, is she dumb.' Amy Tan agentboycommission Change image and share on social
I like to go somewhere where I learn something I didn't know before, like the Dry Tortugas between Florida and Cuba. Amy Tan cubafloridalearn Change image and share on social
Who knows where inspiration comes from. Perhaps it arises from desperation. Perhaps it comes from the flukes of the universe, the kindness of the muses. Amy Tan arisedesperationfluke Change image and share on social
At the beginning of my career as a writer, I felt I knew nothing of Chinese culture. I was writing about emotional confusion with my mother related to our different beliefs. Hers was based in family history, which I didn't know anything about. I always felt hesitant in talking about Chinese culture and American culture. Amy Tan americanbasebegin share on social
My parents told me I would become a doctor and then in my spare time I would become a concert pianist. So, both my day job and my spare time were sort of taken care of. Amy Tan careconcertday Change image and share on social
I started a second novel seven times and I had to throw them away. Amy Tan startthrowtime Change image and share on social
I am an American, steeped in American values. But I know on an emotional level what it means to be of the Chinese culture. Amy Tan americanchineseculture Change image and share on social
I didn't fear failure. I expected failure. Amy Tan expectfailurefear Change image and share on social
I don't steer clear of genres. I simply haven't steered myself toward some of them. Amy Tan cleargenresimply Change image and share on social