In one way I’m just writing my way through my life, although I am playing a game of catch-up. Some writers do this but they are starting off younger. People are always saying how old I was when I wrote my first novel. But yes, some people who start writing in college have a longer trajectory — there is the college novel, the “I’ve just fallen in love” novel, the divorce novel, the “what life is like with children” novel.
(Yes, we’re cheating this week with two quotes from the same piece. We like to keep you on your toes. Also we liked both so much, making a decision was beyond our ability.)
So how does this compare Virginia Wolf’s view on Hamlet meaning all those different things to the different times of your life? Except what The Tempest means of course.
I was 63 when I got my two books in print. Writing when young was merely getting used to the ink on my finger. With somewhat mature and in reasonably good health I find I do have something to tell. Tell by golly, I will.
benny
http://thomasbenny-benny.blogspot.com
Re Meika’s comment let me add : Hamlet is deep layered and I realized the line ‘rest is silence.’ has a deeper meaning than when I read it first time. When young you are full of sweet nothings and your partner finds it heady and thrilling. But when old in years and marriage where did those chatter go? More silence than words. Virginia was right.
benny