Otherppl with Brad Listi 863. Yiyun Li
Sep 6, 2023
Yiyun Li, author of several works of fiction and a memoir, talks about finding characters in real life, her attraction to characters who hold back their emotions, exploring cliches, editing for effect in writing, her upbringing in Beijing, and the intersection of politics and life during the 2016 election.
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Finding Characters
- Yiyun Li finds characters through glimpses of real-life inspiration.
- She recalls William Trevor noticing an interesting woman, sparking a story idea.
Internal Monologue
- The story "A Sheltered Woman" originated from an internal monologue about a five-cent notebook.
- The character's voice emerged spontaneously in Li's mind.
Note-Taking
- Keep multiple notebooks to capture fleeting thoughts and ideas.
- Record ideas immediately, even on your phone, before they disappear.