Tan, Amy

In this volume, Amy Tan gives a talk called “Serendipity, the Muse, and Divine Intervention.” Using examples from The One Hundred Secret Senses, she explores the role that these elements played in the development of her work. This volume also features a lively panel discussion in which authors Amy Tan and Richard Ford and editors Will Allison, Alan Cheuse, and Andrew Tonkovich field questions posed by moderator Stephen Kochand and members of the audience. Questions include What are the best markets for emerging fiction writers?, Are there trends to follow or avoid?, and What role does the editor play in selecting content for various publications? (91 minutes).

They come from diverse backgrounds and represent a cross-section of global culture, yet they all share a passion for the written word. In this documentary, authors Gloria Steinem, Doris Lessing, Amy Tan, Isabel Allende, Bharati Mukherjee, Harriet Doerr, June Jordan, and Mona Simpson speak out about their personal lives and openly share their thoughts and feelings on the themes of childhood; love, marriage, and children; starting out as writers; the creative process; publishing; politics; philosophy; success; and motivation. This delightful program is an essential part of any curriculum involving women’s studies, creative writing, or contemporary literature. (60 minutes).