I wanted to write stories for myself. At first it was purely an aesthetic thing about craft. I just wanted to become good at the art of something. And writing was very private.

Quote by Amy Tan

Topics: Amy Tan Quotes

It's a luxury being a writer, because all you ever think about is life.

It's a luxury being a writer, because all you ever think about is life.

I loved fairy tales when I was a kid. Grimm. The grimmer the better. I...

I loved fairy tales when I was a kid. Grimm. The grimmer the better. I...

I thought I was clever enough to write as well as these people and I...

I thought I was clever enough to write as well as these people and I...

I would find myself laughing and wondering where these ideas came from. You can call...

I would find myself laughing and wondering where these ideas came from. You can call...

The forbidden things were a great influence on my life. I was forbidden from reading...

The forbidden things were a great influence on my life. I was forbidden from reading...

I think I've always been somebody, since the deaths of my father and brother, who...

I think I've always been somebody, since the deaths of my father and brother, who...

I used to think that my mother got into arguments with people because they didn't...

I used to think that my mother got into arguments with people because they didn't...

My parents told me I would become a doctor and then in my spare time...

My parents told me I would become a doctor and then in my spare time...

If you can't change your fate, change your attitude.

If you can't change your fate, change your attitude.

My mother said I was a clingy kid until I was about four. I also...

My mother said I was a clingy kid until I was about four. I also...

I learned to forgive myself, and that enabled me to forgive my mother as a...

I learned to forgive myself, and that enabled me to forgive my mother as a...

You can get sucked into the idea that, 'Gosh, this is impressive. Maybe I should...

You can get sucked into the idea that, 'Gosh, this is impressive. Maybe I should...

Who knows where inspiration comes from. Perhaps it arises from desperation. Perhaps it comes from...

Who knows where inspiration comes from. Perhaps it arises from desperation. Perhaps it comes from...

People think it's a terrible tragedy when somebody has Alzheimer's. But in my mother's case,...

People think it's a terrible tragedy when somebody has Alzheimer's. But in my mother's case,...

My mother had a very difficult childhood, having seen her own mother kill herself. So...

My mother had a very difficult childhood, having seen her own mother kill herself. So...

My parents had very high expectations. They expected me to get straight A's from the...

My parents had very high expectations. They expected me to get straight A's from the...

I am like a falling star who has finally found her place next to another...

I am like a falling star who has finally found her place next to another...

We should so provide for old age that it may have no urgent wants of...

We should so provide for old age that it may have no urgent wants of...

To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant...

To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant...

There is only one path to Heaven. On Earth, we call it Love.

There is only one path to Heaven. On Earth, we call it Love.

Immortality: A toy which people cry for, And on their knees apply for, Dispute, contend...

Immortality: A toy which people cry for, And on their knees apply for, Dispute, contend...

Yours if the first face that I saw. I think I was blind before I...

Yours if the first face that I saw. I think I was blind before I...