You can get sucked into the idea that, 'Gosh, this is impressive. Maybe I should do this. It will look good.' Or 'I'll write like this because it will impress that critic.'

Quote by Amy Tan

Topics: Amy Tan Quotes

I wanted to write stories for myself. At first it was purely an aesthetic thing...

I wanted to write stories for myself. At first it was purely an aesthetic thing...

That was a wonderful period in my life. I mean, I didn't become an artist,...

That was a wonderful period in my life. I mean, I didn't become an artist,...

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...

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 still like to have that luxury, to be able to just sit and...

I would still like to have that luxury, to be able to just sit and...

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 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 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...

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

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

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....

I saw my mother in a different light. We all need to do that. You...

I saw my mother in a different light. We all need to do that. You...

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...

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...

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 was intelligent enough to make up my own mind. I not only had freedom...

I was intelligent enough to make up my own mind. I not only had freedom...

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 didn't fear failure. I expected failure.

I didn't fear failure. I expected failure.

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...

It's both rebellion and conformity that attack you with success.

It's both rebellion and conformity that attack you with success.

Words to me were magic. You could say a word and it could conjure up...

Words to me were magic. You could say a word and it could conjure up...