Late-bloomer here...who works in publishing. (My dream!) As to titles, modern books live and die by the "metadata." Which has given rise, especially in non-fiction, to long and descriptive subtitles; a necessary evil. On titles, I suggest this: Late Bloomers: Stories of Lifelong Learners and the Case for Persistence.
This is very good, though I also like "Slow Burn" et al. I think flagging the "lifelong learners" concept as well as the "late bloomers" one is important to draw in a somewhat wider range of readers.
I'm one of the readers who learned about this newsletter on MR, congratulations on the EV award!
So. Love. This. I went back to my teenaged love of poetry in what I optimistically call my middle years. First poem published when I was in my late 40's, now over 200 poems published. I wrote three collections of poetry in my 50's and was named 2019 Ohio Poet of the Year. Eager to see what my 60's will bring!
I wouldn't call myself a bloomer as much as a repeat bloomer. I hope to continue doing this for the rest of my life. As you say, we go out the same way we came in. It's what we do in-between that matters. If we can touch even one person on our journey to do something great, we have made this journey worthwhile.
I am a late bloomer too. At 57 I started hiking the long trails solo. First the Pacific Crest Trail, then the Continental Divide Trail, the PNT, the Apalachien Trail and many more. And, the list is long. As. long as I can walk and talk, I will explore this beautiful country and the world. Thank you for the inspiration.
After two years of membership at Medium, I find that it has begun to lack enough substance to continue. The writers I care about have fled to Substack, and the Substack Reads newsletter has led me to you. I'm looking forward to your book. At 74 I should still be around for it, unless you also aspire to BE a late bloomer!
haha I do not, but this project keeps getting bigger... It took Julia Child nine years to write Mastering the Art of French Cooking---let's hope I can be quicker than that!
Interesting how we collectively define life’s timelines. One must obtain education by their early twenties, work from early twenties to their 60’s, then retirement becomes the norm. Cheers to those that upend this narrative!
I vote “Never Too Late...” title. So there is hope for met yet! I possess the list of late bloomer qualities you enumerated and feel I’ve always held a brake on my life-never truly letting go. At 49 I can see that life I want just on the horizon. It will take circumstance or guts to go for it.
Audrey Sutherland looked herself in the mirror aged sixty and said she had to quit and go kayaking while she still could. She paddled over 800 km around Alaska and is seen as a pioneer of women's solo exploration. You can be your own inspiration!
I really appreciate your work on this subject, and can't wait for the book. I also recently started reading 'The Tortoise and the Hare' after seeing your mention of it here and am finding it excellent; Elizabeth Jenkins certainly deserves greater renown. Would you mind pointing me to your dissertation?
Can I give you an honest opinion, this day, 1 hour and 2 min before my birthday? I will be loving your new book on late boomer! Seriously, I do get to feel that you must quit the day-time job to write a book for the humankind, this needs to be huge decision, but certainly is a correct one. I am saying like this to you because I do feel resonated with what you‘re interested.
Can I borrow from you another one min? I will be half over hundred years by tomorrow. I have made so many wrong decisions, wasting my life away by investing in someone I shouldn’t and have to start all over again. This is hard (and I have to repeat this “hard” thousands time!) I got back on my feet few months ago, but now I think back this is still hard. But without what‘s happened previously, there won’t be me of today. Hope I could live to be one of those late boomers you’re learning & researching.
Very enjoyable piece, and very pertinent.. At 72 I must be a late bloomer myself, About Bloomin’ Time I often think.. but then... the obstacles were pretty enormous.
I like the Slow Burn title. Do you know the work on adult stages of development? It seems relevant to your subject since life long learners and seekers love changing, growing, evolving.
Bill Torbert: williamtorbert.com; Leadership Agility: Adult Stages of Development,Bill Joiner/Stephen Josephs (yes, my husband); Spiral Dynamics various writings by different folks and Ken Wilbur’s Integral Theory. He has a website.
Late-bloomer here...who works in publishing. (My dream!) As to titles, modern books live and die by the "metadata." Which has given rise, especially in non-fiction, to long and descriptive subtitles; a necessary evil. On titles, I suggest this: Late Bloomers: Stories of Lifelong Learners and the Case for Persistence.
This is great insight, thank you. Here's to the late bloomers!
This is very good, though I also like "Slow Burn" et al. I think flagging the "lifelong learners" concept as well as the "late bloomers" one is important to draw in a somewhat wider range of readers.
I'm one of the readers who learned about this newsletter on MR, congratulations on the EV award!
Thank you. Yeh lifelong learning essential to the idea I think
Very happy I checked MR today to come across this essay and publication. I really love the idea. Excited to hear how the journey continues.
Thanks! More news as soon as I have done some work...
So. Love. This. I went back to my teenaged love of poetry in what I optimistically call my middle years. First poem published when I was in my late 40's, now over 200 poems published. I wrote three collections of poetry in my 50's and was named 2019 Ohio Poet of the Year. Eager to see what my 60's will bring!
What a great story, thank you. And people think poetry is a twenty-year-old's game!
I wouldn't call myself a bloomer as much as a repeat bloomer. I hope to continue doing this for the rest of my life. As you say, we go out the same way we came in. It's what we do in-between that matters. If we can touch even one person on our journey to do something great, we have made this journey worthwhile.
Repeat bloomers will be a whole category in the book!
I am a late bloomer too. At 57 I started hiking the long trails solo. First the Pacific Crest Trail, then the Continental Divide Trail, the PNT, the Apalachien Trail and many more. And, the list is long. As. long as I can walk and talk, I will explore this beautiful country and the world. Thank you for the inspiration.
Sounds great! Audrey Sutherland would be proud!
I know, right? Plus that Polish dude who paddled across the Atlantic once or thrice. Wrinkled face atop massive arms.
After two years of membership at Medium, I find that it has begun to lack enough substance to continue. The writers I care about have fled to Substack, and the Substack Reads newsletter has led me to you. I'm looking forward to your book. At 74 I should still be around for it, unless you also aspire to BE a late bloomer!
haha I do not, but this project keeps getting bigger... It took Julia Child nine years to write Mastering the Art of French Cooking---let's hope I can be quicker than that!
Interesting how we collectively define life’s timelines. One must obtain education by their early twenties, work from early twenties to their 60’s, then retirement becomes the norm. Cheers to those that upend this narrative!
Indeed. More change please!
I vote “Never Too Late...” title. So there is hope for met yet! I possess the list of late bloomer qualities you enumerated and feel I’ve always held a brake on my life-never truly letting go. At 49 I can see that life I want just on the horizon. It will take circumstance or guts to go for it.
Audrey Sutherland looked herself in the mirror aged sixty and said she had to quit and go kayaking while she still could. She paddled over 800 km around Alaska and is seen as a pioneer of women's solo exploration. You can be your own inspiration!
yeah and there's Grandma Gatewood hiking the AT. If memory serves, I heard someone talk about how she had basically just a bag to carry her stuff.
I like "Look At Me Now" and "Never Too Late" 👍
Thanks Terrell!
Congratulations on the grant! Consider this comment an early pledge for a pre-order.
Thanks and double thanks!
Slow burn:: late bloomers and lifelong learners
This title sounds good!!! 👍🏻
I really appreciate your work on this subject, and can't wait for the book. I also recently started reading 'The Tortoise and the Hare' after seeing your mention of it here and am finding it excellent; Elizabeth Jenkins certainly deserves greater renown. Would you mind pointing me to your dissertation?
I’m so glad you are reading EJ. Email me and I will send you my dissertation.
Hi Henry,
Can I give you an honest opinion, this day, 1 hour and 2 min before my birthday? I will be loving your new book on late boomer! Seriously, I do get to feel that you must quit the day-time job to write a book for the humankind, this needs to be huge decision, but certainly is a correct one. I am saying like this to you because I do feel resonated with what you‘re interested.
Can I borrow from you another one min? I will be half over hundred years by tomorrow. I have made so many wrong decisions, wasting my life away by investing in someone I shouldn’t and have to start all over again. This is hard (and I have to repeat this “hard” thousands time!) I got back on my feet few months ago, but now I think back this is still hard. But without what‘s happened previously, there won’t be me of today. Hope I could live to be one of those late boomers you’re learning & researching.
I’ve been working on a chapter about moments of transformation and it sounds like this might be one for you. I hope it goes well for you!
Good luck. Looking forward to reading it.
The title ― I believe that the first one is the best one.
Very enjoyable piece, and very pertinent.. At 72 I must be a late bloomer myself, About Bloomin’ Time I often think.. but then... the obstacles were pretty enormous.
I like the Slow Burn title. Do you know the work on adult stages of development? It seems relevant to your subject since life long learners and seekers love changing, growing, evolving.
Can you recommend some reading on that topic? Sounds interesting...
Bill Torbert: williamtorbert.com; Leadership Agility: Adult Stages of Development,Bill Joiner/Stephen Josephs (yes, my husband); Spiral Dynamics various writings by different folks and Ken Wilbur’s Integral Theory. He has a website.
Splendid, thank you!