Me too. Everyone wanted me to be a teacher. Everyone wanted me to be a doctor. Everyone wanted me to be a lawyer. Everyone except me. If I'd been able to believe that my writing would "mean something," I still would have been the person I turned out to be, just many years earlier. I'm grateful that I majored in Biology in college. I learned so much about the world we do not see that thrives all around us. I'm not especially grateful that I was well on the way to 40 years old when I wrote my first novel. But I've made up for it, having written 25 books altogether, for adults, teenagers and children. Do late bloomers try harder? I don't know that for sure. I do know that we take nothing for granted.
Ah, that winding path! I went from basically trying to write fan fiction for Nancy Drew, through wanting to be a concert pianist, to being an advertising copywriter, then a music historian, and then a historical novelist—with some nonprofit management thrown in for good measure. My first novel was published when I was 50, and I still don't fully understand how I got there! 😂
What an exciting journey. Always better to tell different stories than just one from the straight and narrow. Your podcast sounds fab. Will definitely tune in.
Love this: Everyone else seemed to be driving on a straight road forward, methodically passing the exits, one by one, getting closer to the final destination in a prearranged way, whereas I was on the backroads, constantly making sharp turns, driving past random driveways and neighborhoods, holding on for dear life.
Yes! I definitely relate. I always wanted to be a writer but felt I had to take the more secure route of becoming a teacher. I earned a Ph.D. and started teaching college-level lit classes. All the time my heart ached for the creativity of writing rather than the teaching of Brit Lit classics. One day my students double-dog dared me (a southern thing!) to write a novel. I took the dare! Fast-forward through many setbacks and heartbreaks to now. Seven novels published! I'm writing numbers eight and nine. Yes, the path is windy. Always windy! Just keep moving. On 02-20-24 the 25th anniversary edition of "Celebration!" releases. That's the novel my students dared me to write!😄
Here’s to a year of promises kept to self—and for joy and connection in the keeping! Oh and a sold manuscript and a Zibby-verse tour stop! Happy healthy new year!
Instead of you giving advice to your younger self, your younger self has given you the very best advice of all: Just be the writer that you are, Zibby!
Love this post! It's funny because I recently found an article I had written for a school newpaper at age 12 stating that my dream and lifelong goal is to be the author of a published novel!! I'm trying to make it happen at age 49 so it's never too late!! Here's to the windy path :)
Hey Zibby! Just wondering why you don’t publish your books yourself? Why rely on the old traditional system, waiting for someone to come along who gives you the green light? Green light it yourself! I’m sure people will love it!
Me too. Everyone wanted me to be a teacher. Everyone wanted me to be a doctor. Everyone wanted me to be a lawyer. Everyone except me. If I'd been able to believe that my writing would "mean something," I still would have been the person I turned out to be, just many years earlier. I'm grateful that I majored in Biology in college. I learned so much about the world we do not see that thrives all around us. I'm not especially grateful that I was well on the way to 40 years old when I wrote my first novel. But I've made up for it, having written 25 books altogether, for adults, teenagers and children. Do late bloomers try harder? I don't know that for sure. I do know that we take nothing for granted.
I love that: Late bloomers try harder. I'm adding that to my Zibby-verse slides!
You are adorable. Love this and appreciate the inspiration it’s provided!
Oof I needed to read this right now! Cheers to back roads and “missed” exits . Happy new year! So grateful for you
xxoo
Are you doing any international traveling?
Not yet!
Ah, that winding path! I went from basically trying to write fan fiction for Nancy Drew, through wanting to be a concert pianist, to being an advertising copywriter, then a music historian, and then a historical novelist—with some nonprofit management thrown in for good measure. My first novel was published when I was 50, and I still don't fully understand how I got there! 😂
That's the path!!
What an exciting journey. Always better to tell different stories than just one from the straight and narrow. Your podcast sounds fab. Will definitely tune in.
Great! Thank you!!
Here's to late starts, future successes, and fulfilling our 12-year-old selves' dreams. <3
😂😂
Happy New Year!
Love this: Everyone else seemed to be driving on a straight road forward, methodically passing the exits, one by one, getting closer to the final destination in a prearranged way, whereas I was on the backroads, constantly making sharp turns, driving past random driveways and neighborhoods, holding on for dear life.
Kay Moser
Yes! I definitely relate. I always wanted to be a writer but felt I had to take the more secure route of becoming a teacher. I earned a Ph.D. and started teaching college-level lit classes. All the time my heart ached for the creativity of writing rather than the teaching of Brit Lit classics. One day my students double-dog dared me (a southern thing!) to write a novel. I took the dare! Fast-forward through many setbacks and heartbreaks to now. Seven novels published! I'm writing numbers eight and nine. Yes, the path is windy. Always windy! Just keep moving. On 02-20-24 the 25th anniversary edition of "Celebration!" releases. That's the novel my students dared me to write!😄
Here’s to a year of promises kept to self—and for joy and connection in the keeping! Oh and a sold manuscript and a Zibby-verse tour stop! Happy healthy new year!
Instead of you giving advice to your younger self, your younger self has given you the very best advice of all: Just be the writer that you are, Zibby!
Love this post! It's funny because I recently found an article I had written for a school newpaper at age 12 stating that my dream and lifelong goal is to be the author of a published novel!! I'm trying to make it happen at age 49 so it's never too late!! Here's to the windy path :)
Hey Zibby! Just wondering why you don’t publish your books yourself? Why rely on the old traditional system, waiting for someone to come along who gives you the green light? Green light it yourself! I’m sure people will love it!