I spent four years in Ithaca and my wife's name is Dawn. 🙂 Endpapers sounds fascinating - I recently finished Hernan Diaz's Trust and really enjoyed the quasi-epistolary aspects of that novel. Jennifer's views on writing later in life is so very on point. It's already May! Time feels like it is moving faster than ever. The last thing we need is to limit ourselves in any way... I'm also a fan of the sneaker slogan, which is literally about life and death:
"Dan Wieden, cofounder of the advertising firm Wieden and Kennedy, revealed the phrase was inspired by the final words of a death row inmate who was facing execution and said, "You know, let's do it." "I remember when I read that I was like, that's amazing." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Do_It)
I had no idea that the Nike slogan came from a death-row inmate! Wow. Re Hernan Diaz' TRUST, yes, quasi-epistolary, and creating fictional fictions and nonfictions and a puzzle for the reader (plus I guess a comment on $$ and capitalism...). ENDPAPERS has a puzzle too, but I'd call it a more straightforward coming-of-age novel with a historical mystery inside it.
Hi Sarah, Thanks for this interview with Jennifer, I loved what she had to say about writing in midlife and writing in general and "making up as I go." Such great advice to focus on the writing, the only thing you can control. I also appreciate the reminder, as I go out on submission with what I hope will be my debut novel at 64, that agents and editors are humans with subjective tastes and opinions, not faceless gatekeepers, and if you keep at it, you will find the outlet/publisher that connects with your work. Thanks for bringing us this interview series. Lovely views of springtime New Hampshire and I hope your own novel is going well. Soon, I will have to start a new one or I will get obsessed with watching my inbox for agent emails.
Thank you for reading, Amy, and I agree—so many thoughtful words on writing at midlife (and beyond) from Jen. Re your own novel: when I began querying, someone advised me to start a new project, which is good advice! There’s so much waiting in the querying and publishing process that it’s good to have other projects to focus on and dream about.
That would be helpful to me and no doubt other readers. Publishing is like the wild west out there, especially these days. You hear so much that is negative and discouraging, so I love to hear about how authors found their path to publishing their first novels to keep hope alive.
That’s a good point! And one other thing I’d share is that most of the authors I’ve gotten to know have, like me, gotten their agents through the regular query process, not through connections. Which I find heartening.
Really love this interview. It is inspiring! I just went to a book release party for an amazing friend who just published her first novel, Desert Haven, about the women's back-to-the-land movement (she's almost 79). Just do it, indeed!
I spent four years in Ithaca and my wife's name is Dawn. 🙂 Endpapers sounds fascinating - I recently finished Hernan Diaz's Trust and really enjoyed the quasi-epistolary aspects of that novel. Jennifer's views on writing later in life is so very on point. It's already May! Time feels like it is moving faster than ever. The last thing we need is to limit ourselves in any way... I'm also a fan of the sneaker slogan, which is literally about life and death:
"Dan Wieden, cofounder of the advertising firm Wieden and Kennedy, revealed the phrase was inspired by the final words of a death row inmate who was facing execution and said, "You know, let's do it." "I remember when I read that I was like, that's amazing." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Do_It)
I had no idea that the Nike slogan came from a death-row inmate! Wow. Re Hernan Diaz' TRUST, yes, quasi-epistolary, and creating fictional fictions and nonfictions and a puzzle for the reader (plus I guess a comment on $$ and capitalism...). ENDPAPERS has a puzzle too, but I'd call it a more straightforward coming-of-age novel with a historical mystery inside it.
Love this! I started writing in my 40s and am working on my first novel. This is so inspiring and encouraging. Thank you!
Thanks, Maria! And keep going! I sold my first at 53.
Loved this interview and Jennifer’s perspective on writing and taking risks!
Thanks, Paige! I love her perspective too--a lot of wisdom here!
Hi Sarah, Thanks for this interview with Jennifer, I loved what she had to say about writing in midlife and writing in general and "making up as I go." Such great advice to focus on the writing, the only thing you can control. I also appreciate the reminder, as I go out on submission with what I hope will be my debut novel at 64, that agents and editors are humans with subjective tastes and opinions, not faceless gatekeepers, and if you keep at it, you will find the outlet/publisher that connects with your work. Thanks for bringing us this interview series. Lovely views of springtime New Hampshire and I hope your own novel is going well. Soon, I will have to start a new one or I will get obsessed with watching my inbox for agent emails.
Thank you for reading, Amy, and I agree—so many thoughtful words on writing at midlife (and beyond) from Jen. Re your own novel: when I began querying, someone advised me to start a new project, which is good advice! There’s so much waiting in the querying and publishing process that it’s good to have other projects to focus on and dream about.
Thanks, Sarah. Have you shared here on your Substack any insights from your own querying and publishing process?
Only very briefly, but maybe I will write about it in a little more depth.
That would be helpful to me and no doubt other readers. Publishing is like the wild west out there, especially these days. You hear so much that is negative and discouraging, so I love to hear about how authors found their path to publishing their first novels to keep hope alive.
That’s a good point! And one other thing I’d share is that most of the authors I’ve gotten to know have, like me, gotten their agents through the regular query process, not through connections. Which I find heartening.
Much wisdom here. Thanks, Sarah and Jen.
Yes, I thought so too, Rona! I may be posting Notes with some of these quotes from Jen for the next few days!
Really love this interview. It is inspiring! I just went to a book release party for an amazing friend who just published her first novel, Desert Haven, about the women's back-to-the-land movement (she's almost 79). Just do it, indeed!
Thanks, Kirsten! Agree, inspiring, as is your friend who published the novel. It’s never too late!
Loved this interview!
Thank you, Daisy! Emailing you!
Caw!^^