A Friend Stopped By | 07/28/2009 11:00 pm

A 55-Year-Old Looks Back on Life, by Joyce Maynard

The author of the new novel Labor Day explores how becoming a teenage celebrity can backfire — and the joys of a middle-aged comeback.

By Joyce Maynard

Joyce Maynard/Photo Courtesy of Alex Tehrani

Editor’s Note: Joyce Maynard’s latest novel is Labor Day, just out from William Morrow. She is also the author of nine other books, including At Home in the World, a controversial memoir that was subject to intense criticism for its revelations about her relationship with the novelist J.D. Salinger.

Thirty-six years ago, when I was 19, I published my first book, a memoir called Looking Back. It was an expanded version of an article I’d written for The New York Times Magazine the year before, in 1972. Both the article (titled "An 18-Year-Old Looks Back on Life") and subsequent book featured a photograph of me — barefoot, wearing jeans, looking a little like an anorexic Linda Ronstadt crossed with "The Flying Nun."

Here's the thing about making a name for oneself as a Spokesperson for Your Generation: It's a dead-end job.

The book was a big seller. I went on television and got photographed by Richard Avedon and even — most weirdly — was invited to audition for the Linda Blair role in "The Exorcist." Though my life at the time bore little resemblance to that of most young women my age, for a brief while I was the girl editors called if they wanted a story about the younger generation. I was the girl of the minute — for a minute anyway.

But here’s the thing about making a name for oneself as a Spokesperson for Your Generation: It’s a dead-end job. And though I believe that I matured substantially as a writer over the years, my career was never hotter than when I was a teenager. And it was never colder than it was in the summer of 2008, as I found myself closing in on my 55th birthday.

I had raised three children by this point, and published nine books — a number of novels, a collection of essays and a second memoir called At Home in the World that incited harsh criticism in the literary world. I had written out of the conviction that every writer has the right to tell her own story. Many felt otherwise. In fact, one critic said, "Now that she’s told this story, we’ll never have to hear from Joyce Maynard again."

So for me, 1998 was a brutal year. I knew I would never cease to be a writer, but it was unclear after that whether I could survive doing the work I loved. My next three books sold badly, and it was hard not to view my career as finished.

Having experienced the kind of notoriety I did as a young person — and again in my 40s — I was left in a kind of box. A lot of people who had never read a book of mine had read about me, at one time or another, and formed some opinions based on that. "Have you thought of changing your name?" a well-meaning agent suggested a few years back. In the years that followed, many others weighed in with the same recommendation.

42 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Thank you for featuring this article. I am inspired. Thank you Joyce Maynard. Also thank you for To Die For - it certainly was to die for. As a mother of a 27 year old and a 16 year old I am intrigued by the idea, device and voice of the book. Can’t wait to read it.

By Frannie Em on 07/29/2009 12:43 am

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I am at the stage where I see old flames on the news as talking heads, while Ilie in my painted cement-floor family room 2500 miles from DC. Latest—he was dissing Sarah Palin and looking really quite chubby in a white suit. Hmmm. Maybe I am aging OK.

By Star Lawrence on 07/30/2009 10:37 am

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A vast chasm spans the space between youth and maturity. Hopefully, the ups and downs of our lives - shared in one way or other by each of us - as we have gathered and learned by life experiences. In following writers, I have found their writing fuller, deeper, more profound and meaningful as they have turned the corner of age 50 or so. The ability to capture people in words, their nuances, the small things that set each one apart and make them come alive and fully developed - believable to the reader - is so noticable. Books that we considered "summer reading" and that is all become "keepers" for we may find bits and pieces of something within us flowing through the book’s pages.

I am hoping that Joyce Maynard find that she has only just opened the door to a new writing chapter of her life and finds that the best has just begun!

By joan larsen on 07/29/2009 1:10 am

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Congratulations on winning the competition with your younger self. It can be a tough struggle when everyone thinks you ‘peaked at 20’, as they say.

By darcus grey on 07/29/2009 1:54 am

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As you age you must learn to age with grace, maturity and wisdom. If you do not already learn to accept, love, like and embrace the person you are today. Yesterday is your past. There is nothing wrong with reflection. However, trying to recapture what has already gone is not healthy and can stop you from growing and living fully in the moment.

When I was young I’d always hear about the horrors of aging. I feel to the contrary. I love aging! … I’m alive! … I’m still here and living with a joyful spirit. I like growing into more of myself.

By L. C. on 07/29/2009 5:46 am

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Like Joyce mentioned in her story, I too have mentioned that I would like to have my youthful body back. However, would I choose to give up the knowledge that I have gained over the years to have it - NO! Wisdom to me is so much of importance in life these days. I love to read and look forward to reading Labor Day. Good Luck Joyce Maynard and I hope this is a new beginning for you.

By Eldebbo C on 07/29/2009 8:25 am

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It must have been excruciatingly difficult for the very young Joyce Maynard to pick up the pieces after her long relationship with Salinger ended. Lucky for her that her writing was a purging of sorts which is true of most writers. You can change the characters, vary the stories, but the you is always there in one way or another. I wish her continued success, with her publications and with her life.

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 07/29/2009 9:13 am

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I was looking for another book Joyce… i’ll go get this one. to be honest i’d never heard of you before this article. one of the things i love about wow. i’ve found a lot of good books through them! I’m 10 years younger so your teen fame didn’t reach me. But it cracks me up that the MEMOIR of an 18 year old sold so well! what could you possibly have had to say then? i’m just curious enough that i now have to go get that book as well!

Happy for your success on this. Sad to hear about the agism. and the bias. but especially the agism. it sucks. Hope your still willing to run around in a swimming suit lol (that’s from a different thread).

By Chrome Toe on 07/29/2009 9:16 am

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You are funny Chromie - I read the bathing suit quote - that was good.

By Frannie Em on 07/30/2009 12:31 pm

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Joyce, I don’t know how familiar you are with the WoW site, but a large amount of the articles, blogs and questions we explore center around women and esteem. Connecting with your authentic self. Being secure as a woman and who and what you want to stand for.

It is with this in mind that I found your story so sad. To realize that "you" the real Joyce Maynard couldn’t be accepted on face value and that you had to push forward a false version of yourself before your book was considered….that is sad. I understand when you say you take it as a compliment that your readers believe the book to be written by a 20-something male, but I see it as a an insult. The fact that people are shocked and surprised that you wrote your book is the ultimate slap in the face.

To have lived 55 years and still struggle with being accepted for who you are, the core of who you are….is sad.

By Belinda Joy on 07/29/2009 10:22 am

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Actually Maynard was saying it was a compliment that people thought the book was written by a 20 year old. For a 55 yr. old woman to convey a young man’s thoughts and feelings and pull it off is quite a coup. Writers have a difficult time getting their work published, especially if it isn’t the Book of the Hour kind of easy reading stuff. There are very few and always have been, writers who can make a living just by writing novels, short stories or poetry. They usually dabble in other areas. There was a time when people read more and revered the art; not so much today so you take what you can get.

At the end of her article she mentions her aging, but she also says she is a much fuller person than when younger. She sounds as though she’s come to terms with who she is. And perhaps she always knew, but others didn’t.

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 07/29/2009 10:50 am

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phyllis Doyle Pepe

Your words: " There arevery few and always have been, writers who can make a living just by writing novels, short stories or poetry. They usually dabble in other areas. There was a time when people read more and revered the art; not so much today so you take what you can get."

Are you a Writer or a Poet?

I find your words insulting! Why? because I am a well respected Writer and Poet. I have invested lots of time, energy ,blood ,sweat and tears developing my work. I will not even mention the education and years of study. I dare you dismiss the art and work of committed artists with "just by" and dabbling!" It takes time to develop a poem , novel and short stories if you’re speaking of quality writing. A person who respects and cares about his/her craft is not going to go for the easy mark. We’re not interested in "A One Night Stand!" We want to produce work that lives on!

I’m a person who will not diminish myself, nor my craft by taking what I can get. What does that mean anyway? Should I and am I expected to throw what I would consider a piece of garbage at a publisher for the sake of being published and cash? It does not work that way for me. I have to live with myself. I cannot and will not be purchased for a few pieces of silver! My work is not the "book of the hour reading stuff!"

I’m certain there are those who could careless about quality and standards. I assure you I am not one !

By L. C. on 07/30/2009 9:35 am

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Finally—we agree, L.C.! Is Joyce the young female writer who fell for the rodeo cowboy or is that another New York find? I can’t remember.

By Star Lawrence on 07/30/2009 10:40 am

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LC, I am confused, and this is a question, not being mean, but yesterday & the day before you stated you were a NYC Police Officer for over 20 years and in this post you stated that you were/are a writer and wont mention your education…

By C Hardy on 07/30/2009 3:04 pm

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Wow! I’m sorry you misunderstood my comments. So let me try to clear this up. First: I stand by my saying that very few writers can make a living just by their writing of novels, short stories or poetry and have to take on other jobs (the other jobs is what I meant by dabbling—I think that was clear). Second: Yes, I am a writer of prose and poetry but do not make a living by it. So I understand perfectly well what writing is about and the creative energy it takes to produce good work. When I said that writers today have to sometimes settle for what they can get, I meant just that. Maynard’s case in point. They weren’t interested in her book because her books had not been selling. Have them read it without my name, she said, which they did and…If I try and get published by so & so and they turn me down, I might have to settle for a lesser known publisher.

The reference to the "book of the hour…" you seemed to take personally for some reason. I was referring to just those kinds of books, period! Again, sorry you misunderstood my post and became upset and felt insulted.

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 07/31/2009 6:46 am