“I don't *feel* like a late bloomer, but others have called me that. I published my first essay at 30, when I had a 3yo and a baby and no time, and before that I felt like a lot of people had written me off. But that's just when I figured out what I wanted to say.

(My birth father published his first book in his 70s, so I also get to be like 'beat you by 40 years!')

People who don't write try to legitimize or understand our careers based solely on publication, bylines, how many hours per week we can put in. I don't think we should inflict that on ourselves.”