The Good Daughter: Questions for Amy Tan
A Q & A in the New York Times magazine
Type:
Interview Transcript
Source:
New Times Magazine
Date:
08/10/2008
Links:
Interviewer:
Deborah Solomon
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Cynthia Dubberstein says:
chinese astrology
Hi Amy!
Many thanks for all your wonderful novels. I am a Dragon who is
drawn to a Dog. We are both in our 50's and never been married.
Do you put any stock in Chinese astrology which states Dragons
should avoid Dogs?
Cindy
Will King says:
A question for Ms. Amy Tan
Ms. Tan,
Hello. I'm a new author to the scene with just one recently published book under my belt. This may seem like a strange question, but I would like to ask your opinion on material relating to a new fiction story I am writing dealing with a character that has several elements of her life that somewhat mirrors Iris Chang's. I knew Iris briefly in 2003 when she helped me by email to prepare for a college lecture at the time concerning Asian stereotypes in the American media. I understand that you knew her well. My concern (which might appear unusual) is that I have a character that shares a lot of similarities with her in career and in life. The story is somewhat of a thriller and I believe to be a great story and very marketable. However, due to my character's similarities with Iris, I am concerned that publishing it might bring up mixed feelings in those closest to her. If you have time in your schedule, could you send me an email at
newazaman@hotmail.com so that I could tell you about my concern in a little more detail, and possibly get your opinion?
Thanks so much,
Will
Thomas Forletta says:
Broken English
Ms Tan
I just finished the article about your Mother's broken English.
I am a WASP and my wife is from Mainland China.
I have come to refer to her particular brand of English as Chinglish. She says it is not offensive and her friends even seem to like it??
We have been together (married) almost 7 years now and I find that I am understanding her without having to ask as often for clarification.
We just received approval for her Mom to get a permanent green card (which is really Salmon in color), and I am looking forward to having her here with us and hope that both of us will learn each other's language.
Regards,
Tom & Jian Gao Forletta
Cathy Scholtes says:
My Beautiful Daughter
Hello Ms. Tan
My husband and I have a beautiful daughter who was born in China. We adopted her when she was only 14 months old.
I love your writing and I truly believe it is a gift. I have the imagination but the gift of writing I am not blessed with.
I imagine so many scenerios of my daughter's biological mother and what she might have went through. I cry for her at times and yet I am so thankful because I have the opportunity to see her grow up into a beautiful Chinese woman.
Anyway, maybe someday you could write a story about her???? I think this could be a great story....CathyEva2003@gmail.com