Late Bloomers: Writing in Middle Age and Beyond

Class Description

Many people don’t start writing seriously until they’re older, having long cherished the dream of becoming a writer once they’ve finally raised the kids or retired… Others toil away on their laptops for decades with little to show for it in terms of publications, yet they never give up. Folks in both of these camps may feel disheartened as they grow older, especially as we’re constantly bombarded with lists like the New Yorker’s 20 under 40. And yet why should there be such a fixation on the relationship of youth to ability? Especially in the field of writing, where age can be a distinct advantage? In this class, we’ll focus on ways older writers can use their experience and even an increased awareness of their own mortality to take more chances, write more bravely, and opt for productivity over perfectionism. Come prepared to work on in-class exercises that will help you prioritize your writing goals and tap more deeply into your own wisdom and leave heartened, alerted to the advantages of being a more mature writer as you move forward in your writing life.

Scholarship Information

Thanks to the excellent literary citizenship of our donors, scholarships are available for all GrubStreet classes. To apply, click the gray "APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIP" button. In order to be considered for a scholarship, you must complete your application at least one week before the start date of a class. Please await our scholarship committee's decision before registering for the class. We cannot hold spots in classes, so the sooner you apply, the better. Scholarships cannot be applied retroactively.

For more more detailed information about GrubStreet scholarships, including how to contribute to scholarship funds for other students, click here.