'About what you want to know'

 

“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 this date in 1952, Maynard is known for her many award-winning novels (14 so far) and for writing with candor about her own life.   And she has earned praise for her numerous commentaries and essays about home, parenthood and forgiveness, also the topic of her 2021 bestselling novel Count the Ways.  Her most recent novel – 2024’s How The Light Gets In – is a sequel to Count the Ways.  She’s also authored 9 nonfiction books and had considerable success as a screenwriter.  

 

Maynard’s memoir At Home In The World about her years living with reclusive author J.D. Salinger drew both praise and scorn.  “I wonder what it is that the people who criticize me for telling this story truly object to?” she asked.  “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,” she said.  “And you also write about what you want to know.”