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American Masters

Amy Tan’s first job was writing astrology

Amy started out “making up” astrology for her friend’s business.

Aired 05/03/2021

American Masters

Amy Tan’s first job was writing astrology

Clip: 5/3/2021 | 2m 12sVideo has Closed Captions

Amy started out “making up” astrology for her friend’s business.

Amy Tan’s first job was “making up” astrology for her friend’s astrology hotline business. She later wrote ad copy, direct mail, and became a technical writer for a telecommunications company: “all the subjects I had absolutely no interest in,” Tan recalls. She turned to writing fiction in the search for more meaningful work and learned a lot about herself in the process.

Aired 05/03/2021

Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

Amy Tan's writing inspiration

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What inspires the best-selling author? (2m)

Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir

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Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir is an intimate portrait of the groundbreaking writer. (2m 14s)

The author of “Crazy Rich Asians” describes Amy Tan’s impact

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Kevin Kwan talks about how Amy Tan had an early impact on him. (2m 33s)

How Amy Tan met her husband Lou

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According to Amy Tan's husband Lou, it was "cluelessness at first sight." (1m 14s)

What was the Joy Luck Club?

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The title of Amy Tan's famous novel was also the name of an investment club. (1m 34s)

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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

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