Bestselling author Min Jin Lee discusses writing, representation in media, and the Asian-American identity. Her book Pachinko is being adapted for TV, praised by President Obama. Lee shares her writing journey, struggles, and importance of diverse storytelling. She explores faith, suffering, and personal growth, along with her experiences with OCD, anxiety, and body image as an Asian American writer.
Championing positive Asian-American representation and identity in media and literature.
Encouraging complete rewriting in the writing process to explore new perspectives and enhance quality.
Deep dives
Writing Advice: Dedication and Revision
One of the key practices emphasized by Min Jin Lee is the dedication to the writing process. She highlights the importance of revision by requiring her students to rewrite their drafts entirely from scratch for the second time. This approach challenges writers to not just edit but actually recreate their work, often resulting in significant improvements in the final outcome. By starting fresh in each draft, writers can explore new perspectives, refine their ideas, and ultimately enhance the quality of their writing.
Personal Experiences: Mental Health and Identity
Min Jin Lee openly discusses her struggles with mental health, including anxiety, depression, and OCD. She advocates for destigmatizing these issues, especially within the Asian American community, where discussions about mental health can be taboo. By sharing her personal experiences, she encourages candid conversations and promotes acceptance and understanding of mental health challenges. Lee's transparency highlights the importance of seeking help and destigmatizing mental health issues.
Cultural Representation: Embracing Asian American Identity
Min Jin Lee emphasizes the need for positive representation and pride in Asian American identity, challenging stereotypes and celebrating diversity. She calls for recognizing the beauty, humor, intelligence, and sexiness of Asian Americans, countering the prevalent negative narratives. Through her writing and advocacy, Lee aims to empower Asian Americans to embrace their culture, challenge societal norms, and assert their worth in mainstream conversations and media representation.
Literary Inspirations: Influence of Diverse Authors
Min Jin Lee draws inspiration from a wide array of literary influences, including George Eliot, Tony Morrison, Alice Walker, James Baldwin, Sinclair Lewis, and others. She values a broad spectrum of works, ranging from classic literature to contemporary scholarship, sociology, economics, and philosophy. By appreciating diverse perspectives and genres, Lee enriches her writing, infusing her work with depth, compassion, and a nuanced understanding of societal and personal complexities.
Bestselling author Min Jin Lee visits Google to provide a masterclass on writing. In addition, she speaks about representation in media, fiction, non-fiction and her views on the evolving Asian-American identity.
In 2019, Apple ordered a television adaptation of Min’s New York Times bestselling book Pachinko. President Barack Obama selected Pachinko for his recommended reading list, calling it “a powerful story about resilience and compassion.” Lee’s debut novel Free Food for Millionaires was listed on the Top 10 Books of the Year for The Times of London, NPR’s “Fresh Air,” and USA Today, and was a national bestseller.
Lee’s work has also appeared in The New Yorker, NPR’s Selected Shorts, The New York Review of Books, The New York Times Magazine, The New York Times Book Review, Conde Nast Traveler, The Times of London, and The Wall Street Journal.