The PEN Ten with Ian Buruma

As far as writing is concerned I am obsessed by clarity, which can be a weakness. Great art must leave room for ambiguity, even mystery. More

The PEN Ten with Joy Harjo

"I have to take care of what I was given. I am aware of carrying a gift that belongs to my people. It doesn’t belong to me. It’s ancient… More

The PEN Ten with Ross Gay

"My responsibility now feels to be, among two thousand other things, to explore what is lovely and necessary and to be adored and cared for and held up." More

The PEN Ten with Jack Livings

"[Tell] it straight, tell it slant—just tell all of it. Anything that can be done on the page, probably should be. It doesn’t matter whether or not we, as… More

The PEN Ten with Sebastian Rotella

"I’m obsessed with urban neighborhoods, the ideas of identity and tribe that shape and are shaped by them, the hope, conflict, and heartbreak of the ethnic, racial, and socio-economic… More

The PEN Ten with Muna Gurung

"I write to show that being weak is strong, is daring. As of a year ago, I have begun to write about being a victim of sexual violence at… More