[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

Finding the Throughline with Kate Hanley

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.

Lisa talked with me while she was on vacation and I'm so thankful that she carved out some time for us.

We covered:

- How her mother and grandfather were both writers, so she, naturally, vowed never to become one… and how that all changed when she was bumming around Europe on $5 a day after college

- The atrocious 1970s TV miniseries that was so poorly written, it inspired her to try writing fiction (under the pen name Monica Highland)

- How she started researching the Chinese side of her family thinking that she’d include a short letter about it in that year’s holiday card, and how that grew into “On Gold Mountain,” her first book written under her own name, as well as a national bestseller and New York Times notable book

- What’s been easy and what’s been hard about her work as a novelist

- A peek into her (fascinating) research process

- The routine she follows every morning routine (that involves waiting for her husband to get done exercising)

- Why she doesn’t worry about keeping her tea hot

Big thanks to our sponsor, AquaTru.com. Use promo code KATE to save 20% off a reverse osmosis water filter and support this podcast!

For full show notes with links to everything we discuss, plus bonus photos!, visit katehanley.substack.com.

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