Sharing stories and 'reaching for the sun'

 “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 in New Hampshire on Nov. 5, 1953 Maynard has authored critically acclaimed books in genres ranging from Young Adult to crime, and general fiction to nonfiction memoirs.  She has written 22 books – the latest How The Light Gets In - out this year.  And she writes journalistically for a number of newspapers, magazines and National Public Radio, and is a successful screenwriter. 

Perhaps her most talked about memoir was At Home In The World about her years living with reclusive author J.D. Salinger.  The book earned her 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?”  

 

“You write about what you know," Maynard said, "and you also write about what you want to know.”  One of those "things she knows" is raising kids.  The mother of three said her children influenced and helped her 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.”