In May, renowned author Judy Blume engaged in a conversation with Scott Simon from NPR during the Santa Fe International Literary Festival. Through her writing career, Blume has captivated young audiences with books like Are You There God It’s Me Margaret, Deenie, Tiger Eyes, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, and Blubber. Her most recent publication, In The Unlikely Event, appeared in 2015. Nowadays, Blume dedicates her time to reading children’s books at her bookstore in Key West, Florida. Despite stepping back from writing, her literature continues to be cherished by a devoted readership.
From Reader to Writer
Judy Blume explained her initial foray into writing by emphasizing her love of reading. “I was a reader,” Blume noted. She mentioned encountering young people aspiring to write who disliked reading. Her advice to them was straightforward: “Forget being a writer.” Blume firmly believes a shared characteristic among writers is an early love for reading, which was undoubtedly true in her case as well.
The Catalyst for Writing
Blume reflected on the transition from reading to writing as being sparked by her life circumstances. “I was married young and had two kids,” she shared. Feeling a need for creativity, she explored various outlets before settling on writing. Interestingly, her creative journey included making felt art pieces, but an allergy to glue re-routed her path when the need for an electric typewriter arose from the funds she earned selling her art.
The Writing Process
During the interview, Blume described her writing process involving meticulous note-taking. Each book had a dedicated notebook filled with her ideas. “The day I feel ready to start is the scariest or the best,” she remarked. These characters filled her daily life and became part of her reality. “You will never believe what Tony did today,” she recounts saying at dinner, demonstrating how immersed she was in her stories.
Life Beyond Writing
Blume expressed satisfaction in finding another passion following her writing career. Though she no longer writes, she appreciates how writing changed her life. Rather than pursue ideas for more books, she has embraced her love for managing her bookstore. Regarding familiar characters, Blume humorously relayed letters from fans requesting unconventional sequels like “Margaret In Menopause.” For Blume, characters remain timelessly preserved within the books, living only there.