[Lisa See, practical matters]: The fun little family research project that turned into a New York Times notable book + telling stories that have been hidden Ep 1122

Published: Aug. 19, 2024, 9 a.m.

I'm talking with Lisa See, the New York Times bestselling author of so many beloved books, including Lady Tan's Circle of Women, The Island of Sea Women, Snow Flower and the Secret Ban, Shanghai Girls, and Dreams of Joy. Lisa's books often center the experience of women across time and cultures, particularly stories that have been lost, forgotten, or deliberately covered up.\n\nLisa talked with me while she was on vacation and I'm so thankful that she carved out some time for us.\n\nWe covered:\n- How her mother and grandfather were both writers, so she, naturally, vowed never to become one\u2026 and how that all changed when she was bumming around Europe on $5 a day after college\n- The atrocious 1970s TV miniseries that was so poorly written, it inspired her to try writing fiction (under the pen name Monica Highland)\n- How she started researching the Chinese side of her family thinking that she\u2019d include a short letter about it in that year\u2019s holiday card, and how that grew into \u201cOn Gold Mountain,\u201d her first book written under her own name, as well as a national bestseller and New York Times notable book\n- What\u2019s been easy and what\u2019s been hard about her work as a novelist\n- A peek into her (fascinating) research process\n- The routine she follows every morning routine (that involves waiting for her husband to get done exercising)\n- Why she doesn\u2019t worry about keeping her tea hot\n\nBig thanks to our sponsor, AquaTru.com. Use promo code KATE to save 20% off a reverse osmosis water filter and support this podcast!\n\nFor full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices