I saw my mother in a different light. We all need to do that. You have to be displaced from what's comfortable and routine, and then you get to see things with fresh eyes, with new eyes.

Quote by Amy Tan

Topics: Amy Tan Quotes

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...

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...

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...

No one in my family was a reader of literary fiction. So, I didn't have...

No one in my family was a reader of literary fiction. So, I didn't have...

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...

I read a book a day when I was a kid. My family was not...

I read a book a day when I was a kid. My family was not...

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,...

She said 'I'm by commission. You don't have to pay anything until you sell anything.'...

She said 'I'm by commission. You don't have to pay anything until you sell anything.'...

Language is the tool of my trade -and I use them all - all the...

Language is the tool of my trade -and I use them all - all the...

I also thought of playing improvisational jazz and I did take lessons for a while....

I also thought of playing improvisational jazz and I did take lessons for a while....

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 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...

I did not lose myself all at once. I rubbed out my face over the...

I did not lose myself all at once. I rubbed out my face over the...

God, life changes faster than you think.

God, life changes faster than you think.

I started a second novel seven times and I had to throw them away.

I started a second novel seven times and I had to throw them away.

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...

Placing on writers the responsibility to represent a culture is an onerous burden.

Placing on writers the responsibility to represent a culture is an onerous burden.

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...

Love is an energy - it can neither be created nor destroyed. It just is...

Love is an energy - it can neither be created nor destroyed. It just is...

Good habits are the basic tools that will determine whether you are a tortoise or...

Good habits are the basic tools that will determine whether you are a tortoise or...