An Interview with Judy Blume: Insights from a Literary Legend

Scott Simon spoke with the acclaimed author Judy Blume at the Santa Fe International Literary Festival. Known for her influential books for young adults, Blume’s works include Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Deenie, Tiger Eyes, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, and Blubber. Her most recent book, In The Unlikely Event, debuted in 2015. Nowadays, Blume dedicates her time to reading children’s literature at her bookstore in Key West, Florida. She states she is done with writing, yet her books continue to be cherished by many readers. During the festival, Blume discussed her journey as an author and shared some thoughts on her craft.

The Start of a Writing Career

Scott Simon asked Blume about her beginnings in writing. She emphasized the importance of reading, stating, “I was a reader.” According to Blume, aspiring writers should first cultivate a love for reading. For her, the transition from reading to writing became apparent when she sought a creative outlet after marrying young and having children.

From Felt Art to Writing

Blume told a story about her first career venture, creating felt art pieces. Her decision to stop was prompted by an allergic reaction to glue, but this shift led her to purchase an electric typewriter with her earnings, paving the way for her writing career. Blume shared that from a young age, she always had stories in her mind, but kept them to herself out of fear of judgment.

The Writing Process

Discussing her writing process, Blume revealed she kept a notebook for each book, writing extensive notes over months. The transition from note-taking to actual writing was both daunting and exhilarating, as her characters felt real and lived alongside her for months or even years. After decades of writing, she felt it was time to engage with the world in other ways and found joy in running her bookstore.

Life Beyond Writing

Currently, Blume does not miss writing but expresses gratitude for how it transformed her life. Though she acknowledges she could have continued writing, she found fulfillment in her new passion. Blume humorously explained that characters from her books don’t ‘visit’ her anymore, with some fans humorously suggesting sequels exploring characters like Margaret in older age. However, for Blume, these characters remain timeless in their original contexts.