My favorite so far! Refreshing to hear from someone else (also a writer!) who is a woman with no kids and seemingly comfortable in some ambivalent spots + effortlessly insightful & cool!
"My happiest decades honestly have been my 40s and 50s. Which is not to say it’s all been great—there have been deaths and heartbreaks and lean times—but I’ve come into my own as a woman and I’m getting there as an artist. I feel really powerful in that certainty."
I resonate with this so strongly. Would it be lovely to teleport back into that 30s "casing", as Chin-Sun calls it, while retaining the person I am now? Sure. But I wouldn't want to *be* her for any money. Now is really, really good-- absolutely worth the aches, pains, extra pounds, and grey roots.
"I’m a late-bloomer in many ways, but at least I’m blooming, not withering." My new motto!! Absolutely wonderful piece. Keep blooming, you beautiful flower!!
It is impossible for us to imagine, in our twenties and thirties, that the fifties and beyond are vibrant and liberating times. Thanks for making this so clear. Excuse me, but I have to go look up your novel now---congratulations.
"... because ageism is real, especially for women". Can't agree more!
I danced around my age for so many years, and I came clean on Oldster, in this Questionnaires and Interviews series! It was so liberating! Thank you Sari! Thank you Oldster!
I loved this interview and Chin-Sun's response. I've known Chin-Sun for nearly 20 years, seems an age ago when she was a fashion designer and we met in Minnesota in a writing workshop taught by Robert Olen Butler. Our love for writing and life has bonded us all these years. I'm a big fan!
This was such a perfect interview, I needed to read all of this. I am drifting back into reconnecting with writing at nearly 41 and this encourages me that it is never to late to (re)discover your passions! 💕
I love this. There is something so pure and direct and clean about the prose and honest about your self. A cool glass of water (no ice) on a hot summer’s day. Thank you.
Going to Hong Kong next month for a former student’s wedding. She is like a daughter to me. Marrying a non-Asian American from the mid-west. I wish I liked him more. I wish Hong Kong was still Hong Kong. So many mixed feelings. I think it’s why the clarity of your piece moved me so.
OMG!Chin-Sun!We were all so young in our black suits and serious about our “Fashion”…….Loved your courage to pursue your dreams and look how you have blossomed!Your powerful words and honesty inspired us all!!
So happy to read this at this particular moment. At 49, still struggling to complete my first book, I'm having a moment of panic -- like SOMETHING has to happen by 50. But, ahhh, there is time, and I will get there eventually.
My favorite so far! Refreshing to hear from someone else (also a writer!) who is a woman with no kids and seemingly comfortable in some ambivalent spots + effortlessly insightful & cool!
"My happiest decades honestly have been my 40s and 50s. Which is not to say it’s all been great—there have been deaths and heartbreaks and lean times—but I’ve come into my own as a woman and I’m getting there as an artist. I feel really powerful in that certainty."
I resonate with this so strongly. Would it be lovely to teleport back into that 30s "casing", as Chin-Sun calls it, while retaining the person I am now? Sure. But I wouldn't want to *be* her for any money. Now is really, really good-- absolutely worth the aches, pains, extra pounds, and grey roots.
"I’m a late-bloomer in many ways, but at least I’m blooming, not withering." My new motto!! Absolutely wonderful piece. Keep blooming, you beautiful flower!!
It is impossible for us to imagine, in our twenties and thirties, that the fifties and beyond are vibrant and liberating times. Thanks for making this so clear. Excuse me, but I have to go look up your novel now---congratulations.
Exactly.
"But the real truth is that maybe right now is my favorite age..." love love love this! Great interview!
<3
I just ordered the kindle edition! It looks marvelous.
Makes me so happy when Oldster leads people toward books...
oh wow, thank you! i hope you enjoy it!
"... because ageism is real, especially for women". Can't agree more!
I danced around my age for so many years, and I came clean on Oldster, in this Questionnaires and Interviews series! It was so liberating! Thank you Sari! Thank you Oldster!
🩷
I loved this interview and Chin-Sun's response. I've known Chin-Sun for nearly 20 years, seems an age ago when she was a fashion designer and we met in Minnesota in a writing workshop taught by Robert Olen Butler. Our love for writing and life has bonded us all these years. I'm a big fan!
❤️❤️❤️
Probably my favourite interview so far. So relatable and inspiring woman
thank you so much!
This was such a perfect interview, I needed to read all of this. I am drifting back into reconnecting with writing at nearly 41 and this encourages me that it is never to late to (re)discover your passions! 💕
I love this. There is something so pure and direct and clean about the prose and honest about your self. A cool glass of water (no ice) on a hot summer’s day. Thank you.
what a lovely comment—thank you.
Going to Hong Kong next month for a former student’s wedding. She is like a daughter to me. Marrying a non-Asian American from the mid-west. I wish I liked him more. I wish Hong Kong was still Hong Kong. So many mixed feelings. I think it’s why the clarity of your piece moved me so.
What a great interview and insightful subject. Heading over to check out Chin-Sun Lee now!
Love this so much
OMG!Chin-Sun!We were all so young in our black suits and serious about our “Fashion”…….Loved your courage to pursue your dreams and look how you have blossomed!Your powerful words and honesty inspired us all!!
thank you kim! love and miss you. xx
So happy to read this at this particular moment. At 49, still struggling to complete my first book, I'm having a moment of panic -- like SOMETHING has to happen by 50. But, ahhh, there is time, and I will get there eventually.
Exactly. Don't let the numbers rule you.
Great post, and possibly the most gorgeous toddler picture!