Lew Wallace: The Victorian Forrest Gump Who Wrote Ben-Hur
Lew Wallace was the 19th century’s real-life Forrest Gump: Savior of a president, advisor to a sultan, scourge of an outlaw named Billy the Kid. And at age 53, he wrote Ben-Hur.
Writers
J.K. Rowling observed, “There’s always room for a story that can transport people to another place.” Perhaps that’s why writers constitute Later Bloomer’s largest category. Our books and stories can become healing gifts to ourselves and to the future.
Bram Stoker Wrote Dracula at Age 50. Was It Inspired by His Soul-Sucking Boss?
Why am I so obsessed with Bram Stoker and Dracula? The sad truth — I spent too many years too afraid to ditch a series of soul-sucking jobs. But at least Bram had a creative solution!
Jules Verne: The Failed Stockbroker Who Foretold the Future
Verne graduated from law school, but never practiced. He took up playwriting, but never made a living at it. Desperate for funds, he sold stocks. How did he finally become the father of science fiction?
Freya Stark: A Freak Accident Inspired Her to Become a Late-Blooming Explorer
Freya Stark has been called “the last of the romantic explorers.” She lived to 100, but didn’t start her adventures until age 35, after many hardships.
Penelope Fitzgerald: England’s Most Famous Unknown Author Started Writing in Her 50s
The Guardian UK has called Fitzgerald “one of the finest British novelists of the last century.” She started writing in her late 50s and won the Booker Prize at age 63.
Alex Haley: His Inspiring Journey from College Dropout to Pulitzer Prizewinner
Alex Haley took a meandering route to his calling. He dropped out of college to join the Coast Guard and honed his writing skills at Playboy magazine before publishing Roots at age 56.