I like to play with words. In English, there's only one or two ways to say something; in Chinese there are 30 ways. - Geling Yan

I believe all free thinkers, all artists and writers, should be independent from the mainstream so they won’t take the value system or moral standards of the mainstream for granted. They should take it as their duty to question and doubt the way of life and way of thinking of the majority. I am glad to live overseas as a Chinese writer, to remain independent and critical of both sides.

From early on, I was nourished in a literary way. I didn't realize that there was a writer already living in me

It’s frustrating seeing things lost in translation. Some expressions are just so Chinese, or so English, you have to switch your thinking to English in order to write it with spontaneity and naturally.