Women’s History Month’s Feature: Amy Tan, Novelist, Non-Fiction Writer, and Children’s Writer

Hello book lovers! In celebration of Women’s History Month, I would like to present to you novelist, non-fiction writer, and children’s writer, Amy Tan. While working as a business writer, she began writing her first novel, The Joy Luck Club, and then joined a writers’ workshop, the Squaw Valley Program to refine her draft. The Joy Luck Club subsequently won various awards and was adapted into the 1993 film of the same name directed by Wayne Wang. It was also adapted into a play in 1993.

She has written several other novels including The Kitchen God’s Wife, The Hundred Secret Senses, The Bonesetter’s Daughter (adapted into an opera in 2008), Saving Fish from Drowning, and The Valley of Amazement. In 2017, she published her memoir entitled Where the Past Begins: A Writer’s Memoir. She has also written two children’s books: The Moon Lady (1992) and Sagwa, the Chinese Siamese Cat (1994) which was turned into an animated series that aired on PBS (2001 – 2004). This animated series won her the Parents’ Choice Award, Best Television Program for Children.

In May 2021, the documentary, Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir was released initially on PBS and then on Netflix. It tells the story of her life and her successful writing career. I have to check this out.

Writing Tip: When starting out as a writer, it’s always best to hone and refine your craft by taking writing classes, joining a writers’ workshop/group, attending writers' conferences, etc. By doing so, you immerse yourself into a writing community that will support your endeavors.

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