The worthwhile endeavor of storytelling

“To share our stories is not only a worthwhile endeavor for the storyteller, but for those who hear our stories and feel less alone because of it.” – Joyce Maynard

Born on Nov. 5, 1952, Maynard is known for her critically acclaimed books in several different genres ranging from young adult, to crime and general fiction, to nonfiction memoirs.  And she has had considerable success as a screenwriter.  She has authored 17 books, is a columnist for The New York Times, and a regular contributor to NPR and many magazines.

              Her memoir At Home In The World about her years living with reclusive author J.D. Salinger drew both praise and scorn from the literary world.    “I wonder what it is that the people who criticize me for telling this story truly object to: is it that I have dared to tell the story? Or that the story turns out not to be the one they wanted to hear?”

   The daughter of a journalist (Fredelle Bruser) and sister of a writer/journalist (Rona Maynard), Joyce has this advice for writers, “You write about what you know, and you also write about what you want to know.”

As for her works about parenting, she said that raising three kids not only influenced those writings but also helped that writing become stronger. “It's not only children who grow. Parents do too,” she said.  “As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it myself.”

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