Thank you for writing this and reminding us of all the work that has been done and is being done by people in their later years. Also for all the delicious and inspiring quotes. I am one of those people pursing a publishing career later in life, after having lived a very full life before. I'm glad you didn't use that term "late bloomer" for these women. Most of us have been blooming all along, and the work we're doing in the latter years are just new blooms of a different sort for a bouquet already full of significant if quiet accomplishments.
I so agree with all you say here and so appreciate your comment, Deborah.
I want you to know that, tho I am a bit oversubscribed and hate to unsubscribe from anyone, what I do now is hop over to anyone's Substack if they take the time as you have and will do so now! Wish I could have commented (Can't take on another paid sub!). Love the artist studio post and got most of them--even Susan Sontag. Yours too is a marvel: great post! Write me please.
Hi again, Mary. Just wanted to thank you for visiting my site and liking the artist post. It's great you were able to guess all the artists! Also I wanted to let you know that people can comment on my site without subscribing. At least, that's how it's supposed to be! Please let me know if you had any problem doing so. And, yes, let's keep in touch.
Wonderful, Mary! I look forward to your interviews with Mary Roblyn and Molly Peacock, a neighbor of mine. Another example: Jane Campbell published Cat Brushing, an acclaimed collection of short stories that tell the truth about aging, when she was 79.
"And to that extent old age, of course, is the most thrilling time of all. Because we are coming close to an end, this conviction that the making of a soul is of paramount importance is very much with us."
Beautiful. I wonder what relationship all these late bloomers had with work—as in having to work to earn their wages and make a living. I'm not the creative genius all these artists were, but what most stifles my development as a writer is having to spend so much of my life working instead of reading and writing.
Sabbaticals should be mandatory. A year off every 5/7/10 years or so—a time to recharge, recalibrate, and develop the artist that is in us all. It would at least give us time to breathe and think about the way we are living.
Ah, Ramiro, I had to start late too because of the need to work at a well-paid job to support my children and get them through college. But once done, I took the leap. Check me out at https://marytabor.substack.com
We should connect, don't you think?
Thank you for this thoughtful comment. And if only on your sabbatical point ... xx
I remember being 20 years old, and all I wanted was a job that paid well. Now that I have it, I can't wait until I don't need it anymore. That's why life is so much fun!
It’d be great to stay in touch. I really enjoyed your article, and I’ll keep an eye out for your next post (already subscribed!).
If you're interested in my take on becoming who we are, I'd love for you to read one of my posts on the topic:
Mary. I am honored beyond words that you mentioned me in this article. You are a stellar example of someone beginning a writing career later in life. Your list of artists and writers who hit their prime well beyond their youth is a wonderful surprise and encouragement to all of us. It is never too late.
Willa Cather published her first novel at age 40. Not so late, but she'd already lived more than half of her professional life by then. I'm still astounded that she took the leap of quitting her posh journalism job to become a novelist. A leap of faith that enriched us all.
All I want when I am old and I'm closer today than yesterday, is to walk and write, to still be astounded, I pray for that luck to befall me.
From 'The paper Garden' a quote I love;
“Is being burnt a requisite for the making of art? Personally, I don't think it is. But art is poultice for a burn. It is a privilege to have, somewhere within you, a capacity for making something speak from your own seared experience.”
"The Paper Garden" is one of my favorite books; it is beautifully written. Have you also read Peacock's "Flower Diary," about Mary Hiester Reid? Also an excellent read.
I'm not in the same league as the people you write about, Mary, but I love being an older writer at age 83. You have more to say than you ever had and much less to lose by saying it. I am much more willing to take risks than I would have been years ago.
Thank you for writing this and reminding us of all the work that has been done and is being done by people in their later years. Also for all the delicious and inspiring quotes. I am one of those people pursing a publishing career later in life, after having lived a very full life before. I'm glad you didn't use that term "late bloomer" for these women. Most of us have been blooming all along, and the work we're doing in the latter years are just new blooms of a different sort for a bouquet already full of significant if quiet accomplishments.
I so agree with all you say here and so appreciate your comment, Deborah.
I want you to know that, tho I am a bit oversubscribed and hate to unsubscribe from anyone, what I do now is hop over to anyone's Substack if they take the time as you have and will do so now! Wish I could have commented (Can't take on another paid sub!). Love the artist studio post and got most of them--even Susan Sontag. Yours too is a marvel: great post! Write me please.
Hope we stay connected in some way ... xx ~Mary
Hi again, Mary. Just wanted to thank you for visiting my site and liking the artist post. It's great you were able to guess all the artists! Also I wanted to let you know that people can comment on my site without subscribing. At least, that's how it's supposed to be! Please let me know if you had any problem doing so. And, yes, let's keep in touch.
Thanks, Mary. Totally understand. I appreciate the follow. That’s a good way to stay in touch too.
Deborah, Only paid subscribers may comment--so that's why I didn't do so!
I think it's fixed now. It was supposed to be set so everyone could comment! So sorry about that!
Wonderful, Mary! I look forward to your interviews with Mary Roblyn and Molly Peacock, a neighbor of mine. Another example: Jane Campbell published Cat Brushing, an acclaimed collection of short stories that tell the truth about aging, when she was 79.
Mary Roblyn, Rona, will be my next guest, next post coming ... Molly Peacock interview soon!
"And to that extent old age, of course, is the most thrilling time of all. Because we are coming close to an end, this conviction that the making of a soul is of paramount importance is very much with us."
Beautiful. I wonder what relationship all these late bloomers had with work—as in having to work to earn their wages and make a living. I'm not the creative genius all these artists were, but what most stifles my development as a writer is having to spend so much of my life working instead of reading and writing.
Sabbaticals should be mandatory. A year off every 5/7/10 years or so—a time to recharge, recalibrate, and develop the artist that is in us all. It would at least give us time to breathe and think about the way we are living.
Ah, Ramiro, I had to start late too because of the need to work at a well-paid job to support my children and get them through college. But once done, I took the leap. Check me out at https://marytabor.substack.com
We should connect, don't you think?
Thank you for this thoughtful comment. And if only on your sabbatical point ... xx
I remember being 20 years old, and all I wanted was a job that paid well. Now that I have it, I can't wait until I don't need it anymore. That's why life is so much fun!
It’d be great to stay in touch. I really enjoyed your article, and I’ll keep an eye out for your next post (already subscribed!).
If you're interested in my take on becoming who we are, I'd love for you to read one of my posts on the topic:
https://open.substack.com/pub/writerbytechnicality/p/its-who-you-are-not-what-you-do?r=3anz55&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Mary. I am honored beyond words that you mentioned me in this article. You are a stellar example of someone beginning a writing career later in life. Your list of artists and writers who hit their prime well beyond their youth is a wonderful surprise and encouragement to all of us. It is never too late.
Indeed--and you prove that!
We have all the time in the world
Yes, in terms of "time limits" -- an essay I will soon write.
Willa Cather published her first novel at age 40. Not so late, but she'd already lived more than half of her professional life by then. I'm still astounded that she took the leap of quitting her posh journalism job to become a novelist. A leap of faith that enriched us all.
Yes, Josh, she should be added to the list.
All I want when I am old and I'm closer today than yesterday, is to walk and write, to still be astounded, I pray for that luck to befall me.
From 'The paper Garden' a quote I love;
“Is being burnt a requisite for the making of art? Personally, I don't think it is. But art is poultice for a burn. It is a privilege to have, somewhere within you, a capacity for making something speak from your own seared experience.”
Thank you for this beauty of encouragement 💐
What a lovely, wise quotation from _The Paper Garden_, Susie. And thank you for this lovely comment.
I should and will add also, you dear Mary, are an inspiration to me always.
Talk about making my day, Susie! You inspire me!
Thank you for writing this, Mary! I often feel like I am starting poetry late at 50. Clearly the most important thing is having the courage to begin.
I will add that Grandma Moses has always been an inspiration to me as someone who became an incredible artist late in life.
I should have added Grandma Moses! And Penelope Fitzgerald and Amy Clampitt— and YOU!
"The Paper Garden" is one of my favorite books; it is beautifully written. Have you also read Peacock's "Flower Diary," about Mary Hiester Reid? Also an excellent read.
Ah, Maureen, so glad you and I agree. I must get Flower Diary! Will be looking for it. Thank you.
Thank you, Mary! Funny, I was just thinking about Isak Dinesen *and* Germaine Greer, although not in a connected way. Clearly we’re connected. ❤️
Indeed, we seem to be made from the same cloth, m'dear.
I'm not in the same league as the people you write about, Mary, but I love being an older writer at age 83. You have more to say than you ever had and much less to lose by saying it. I am much more willing to take risks than I would have been years ago.
One so hopes you are right, Ann!
And then there is Mary L. Tabor, who spins her own gold out of the lost and found of years.
Yes, A. Jay Adler! Mary is a beautiful example.
Oh,Zina, that is so generous. 💞
Ah, dear Jay! so kind ...