Native Beijinger Yiyun Li moved to the US in 1996 to pursue a PhD in immunology. Less than ten years later, however, she still didn't have that doctorate, but she'd earned three Master's degrees - in immunology, creative writing and non-fiction - published a book (A Thousand Years of Good Prayers) and was in the midst of attempting to convince US immigration officials that she was a writer "of extraordinary ability."

People in the know had no doubt of Li's extraordinary ability. The literary world rallied to her defense in her quest to gain residency: Salman Rushdie called her "the real thing," New Yorker editor David Remnick named Li "destined to become the leading writers of their generation," Pulitzer prizewinning short story writer James Alan McPherson described her as "reinvigorating the English language." Meanwhile, her first book, a collection of short stories titled A Thousand Years of Good Prayers, received award after award (Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award, PEN/Hemingway Award, Guardian First Book Award, and California Book Award for first fiction).

Li's travails with US Immigration are not yet finished, but even the bureaucratic stooges can't stay blind to Li's ability forever. In the meantime, she's living and teaching in California, and this week, she's back in Beijing for the Bookworm Literary Festival, talking tonight and Thursday (for the festival closing, with author/director Zhu Wen - see below for more detail on the events). tbjblog asked Li a few questions about her love of writing and the experience of being a writer abroad.

tbjblog: Much like most of our readers, you yourself are an "expatriate." How has
that experience shaped your writing?

YL:: Interesting. I have never thought of myself as an expatriate. I am the kind of person who would stay in a hotel room and imagine about the world whether I am in New York or London, but I do have to admit that living in a foreign land one does, from time to time, obtain an invisibility, which is great for a writer, so when I am not hiding behind the curtain I go into the world to look at people's faces.

tbjblog: You're quoted in an article in the Washington Post as saying that you can only really write in English - can you comment on that a bit more?

YL:: I had never written anything (creatively) in Chinese and when I started writing I picked up English, which has become my first language in writing. When I write I think in English, and the language is as an important part of the storytelling as the rest of the stories, so it's hard to imagine to write the stories in Chinese.

tbjblog: You’re a native Beijinger – do you often return to Beijing, and how do you feel about the city now?

YL:: I haven't been back to Beijing for a while (last time was '98) so I need to go back and see the city before I can say how I feel about it.

tbjblog: Out of all the stories that you have penned, which one still affects you the most and why?

YL:: Extra. I still feel about Granny Lin. I also haven't stepped out of the shadow of my novel (coming out in early 2009) but it is mostly because the novel was finished about a month ago.

tbjblog: When you were young, what did you dream about?

YL:: About getting married and having children.

tbjblog: What books do you think you/others should be writing at a time when China is heading towards increased economic expansion and global status? Where do you see yourself in this culture?

YL: You know, this is the question that I think is more relevant to publishers and readers. I write for a simple reason to tell a good story, so I don't think about how to label myself and how to place myself in any culture.

tbjblog: What keeps you writing?

YL:: I love writing. It makes me happy.

Mar 18
In Conversation with Yiyun Li

Award-winning American-based author Yiyun Li reads from her acclaimed short story collection, One Thousand Years of Good Prayers. For more information about the literary festival see the official festival site. RMB 50.
7.30pm. The Bookworm (6586 9507)

Mar 20
Festival Closing: China And Fiction

American-Chinese writer Yiyun Li and Beijinger Zhu Wen discuss the impressive rise of Chinese writing. For more information about the literary festival see the official festival site. Free.
7.30pm. The Bookworm (6586 9507)

Links and Sources:
Beijing Bookworm: Beijing Bookworm International Literary Festival Schedule
tbjblog: Dreaming in Mongolian – Interview with John Man
Yiyun Li.com: Yiyun Li Bio
The Washington Post: Will Words Fail Her (account of Li's visa travails)
Photo Credit: Washington Post
The Guardian: Found in Translation
The Guardian: Rotting Fruits of Revolution (review of A Thousand Years of Good Prayers)