John Yang:

Toni Morrison's readers know the power of her written words. And now a new documentary gives film audiences to opportunity to hear the power of her spoken words. In "Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am," she talks about being a working single mother, the disdainful attitude of critics toward her early works, and the joy of winning the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Timothy Greenfield-Sanders is the director of the film, which is playing nationwide.

Thanks for joining us.

So much of the delight of this film is just Toni Morrison speaking directly to the viewers. You have worked with her, you have known her. Was there a moment when you have thought, this is what I want to do and this is how I want to do it?