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

I think I still have the article from the NYT that you wrote in your earlier youth. You defined that age for us and even tho many of my friends took issue with your point of view, it was great fun to argue with them about it. I even think my high school friend Robbie Adler wrote a retort . It was also eye opening to see your age written there which means I’m 55 as well. Hmmm

Amy

By Amy Millman on 07/30/2009 2:12 pm

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I empathize with Joyce. The publishing world is no more cruel to women of a certain age than any other business. As a Human Resources executive, I can confirm that age discrimination exists. Ask any woman in her 50s trying to get a job today. But the advantage we women writers have is that women buy 72% of all fiction, and the majority of those women are over 40. So, while agents and publishers may not readily embrace us as we age, if you write a good story, chances are a women around your age will buy it. Keep the faith!

By Judith Marshall on 07/30/2009 2:24 pm

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I was 35 when I sold my first book, which, like Joyce’s, became a movie. It was nonfiction, and in the ensuing years I published 10 other books, including 3 novels. All sold well enough to "earn out" for their publishers, and did well in foreign sales, too. I went back to school and got a PhD in psychology because publishers told me I needed a "credential": to write and sell the kind of self-help books I’d been writing for 15 years without one - they said, "You’ll never get on Oprah as just a writer." I did it, I got on Oprah, the book sold around 30,000 copies, just as the ones without "PhD" after my name did. But while publishers entertained queries about more of the same from me, no one wanted another novel by a 6o something writer, especially one about a 60ish woman facing the kind of real-life issues we face - worries about health, money, grown kids, etc. - AND still searching for Mr. Happily-Ever-After. SUGAR TIME is a funny, sexy book for women like us - chick lit for hens. And I self-published it because I loved writing it and thought other women like me - lively, vibrant, and, yes, not even middle aged any more (as Sugar says, unless you plan to live to be 130, and who of us doesn’t?) - but still with curiosity, zest and love of life that never goes away. I may not make a dime from it, but that’s not the point. Like JM, I felt washed up professionally - but then, so is trade publishing the old fashioned way. So go to www.amazon.com and order SUGAR TIME today - not only will you find a laugh on every page, you might also find some wisdom as well as wit about about these years of our lives. Or check out an excerpt on my web site - www.sugartimethenovel.com - and THEN order it from amazon!

By lila gault on 07/30/2009 2:49 pm

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What an interesting read through all the letters to Joyce Maynard. Saw her speak at a writer’s conference in St. Petersburg, FL a few years ago. I do remember that Joyce appeared to be apologetic about her life when she spoke then. Her attitude about herself was sad. For some reason, her self-esteem was nil. Whatever her relationship with the "great" J.D. Salinger was, I hope she sees the benefit she has derived. She has become a prolific writer. Getting published is a fluke, I feel. But I do wish her luck, and don’t stop trying. I consider myself a writer, and have belonged, over the years, to a community of writers. Their encouragement and critiques are priceless. My one claim to fame is a first place for my favorite short story published when I belonged to the Tampa Writer’s Alliance. Get published often in magazines, but that’s not my love. I wish her the best of luck. Don’t stop writing.

By Vee Dee on 07/30/2009 5:04 pm

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We Wear Many Hats And Can Accomplish Our Hearts Desire!

I’ve had many careers and opportunities to explore my many interests. I’ve been a writer practically all of my life. I participated successfully in citywide school competitions and wrote poetry for the love of the art. I’m a published journalist. I’ve produced for theater, radio and tv. My children’s literature was adapted as a play for radio and aired. My work appears in numerous poetry anthologies.

I stopped working in theater to pursue spiritual interests. I took on a more traditional job and retired. I"ve never stopped writing! Writing is one of my passions. I’ve lectured as a guest at schools, colleges and universities. I’ve also performed my poetry and literature at museums and art institutions.

I’ve enjoyed the exchanges especially with my fellow writers. It reminded me of a group of professional writers I belonged to. We would write and critique each others work. At the end we published a book of literature.

I enjoy encouraging others to pursue their dreams, goals, and passions . I’ve always believed I could achieve whatever I wanted.

By L. C. on 07/31/2009 10:18 am

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Love Jpyce Maynard..have since I read her NY Times essay in college. Her insights into J.D. Salinger were fascinating.

By Diane Rainey on 07/31/2009 8:40 pm

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Joyce, I find you refreshing. I am trying so very hard to write a book about my life, I haven’t found too much good except when I write about my beautiful children. They are adults, but in my mind they are still my babies. Cancer and i have been very close for the longest time and I find it so very hard to find a joy, or a minute without tears.

Thank you for making me smile, think and want to continue on with this book of mine.

By Deniseann Taylor on 08/01/2009 5:50 am

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OK, Joyce - I am 5 years younger and clearly remember your teen success. We even read your work in my high school English classes. I am one of those who has had a love/hate relationship with you all these years, so I’m game. I just downloaded Labor Pains to my Kindle. I am looking forward to it. Congrats on your advance!

By Kathy Douglass on 08/01/2009 10:17 am

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Yesterday there was a review of Labor Pains by the LA Times and it received a very good review. I think I will read it.

By J Holmes on 08/03/2009 12:01 pm

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OOPS _Freudian slip possibly? I meant to type Labor Day!

By J Holmes on 08/03/2009 12:02 pm

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Joyce, I have to say, although like me, you are middle-aged, you look awesome and considerably younger than your years. You have quite a colourful life and I found your story about you and J.D. Salinger, fascinating. I haven’t read all your books, just a few, but mostly your bio which I can read on wikipedia, the free dictionary. I can relate to a lot of what you’ve been through, both between you and Rona and your mother.

By Carol Harrison on 08/23/2009 11:55 pm