I wanted to write about the Korean War, but I had no entry into it that made the kind of sense it needs to make for a novelist. Chang-Rae Lee entrykindkorean Change image and share on social
I remember when I was in art classes, I hated following the assignments. And I would get in trouble for doing something totally different or taking it in a weird direction. Chang-Rae Lee artassignmentclass Change image and share on social
As for what's the most challenging aspect of teaching, it's convincing younger writers of the importance of reading widely and passionately. Chang-Rae Lee aspectchallengeconvince Change image and share on social
I don't believe complete assimilation is possible, at least not for anyone who has an active, open mind. Every step, every entry into the flows of existence can be seen as a beginning, a commencement of a brand new way of seeing oneself in the world. This is the case for everyone. Chang-Rae Lee activeassimilationbegin share on social
I write on a computer. On breaks, I'll make myself green tea. I don't want something too caffeinated. I guess I don't believe in chemical enhancement of my writing. Just slight, but nothing crazy. Chang-Rae Lee breakcaffeinatedchemical Change image and share on social
Most people don't think about race as much as I do. They don't have to. Chang-Rae Lee peoplerace Change image and share on social
I don't listen to music while writing; it seems to me I'm trying to make my own kind of music, and to have anything else going on is just noisy interference. Chang-Rae Lee interferencekindlisten Change image and share on social
I'll read pretty much anywhere and anytime, but for a while now, I've really enjoyed reading on flights, especially the longer hauls, when I'm unplugged from everything and can completely immerse myself in the world of a book and submit happily to its rhythms, perspectives, ideas. Chang-Rae Lee anytimebookcompletely share on social
A novel, even a social realist one, can't simply be a comprehensive rendering of what is. A novel requires a special angle or approach, whether in structure or language or theme, to justify itself. Chang-Rae Lee angleapproachcomprehensive Change image and share on social
What's fun about a dystopian novel is that we can enjoy and be entertained. But that world is only slightly different, right? It's familiar enough to be recognizable, and skewed enough to give us pause. Chang-Rae Lee dystopianenjoyentertain share on social
