Legendary writer Judy Blume has recounted her groundbreaking career and life.
Speak against People magazine, the writer – whose book Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret was adapted for film – said at age 85 she still has more to achieve.
She opened up to the outlet and said, “I don’t know what 85 means. But I feel like there’s a lot more I want to do. I love doing this.’
And when asked about her happiness and youthful disposition, the icon said, “Isn’t it happiness, really?” It’s luck and maybe it’s genes.’
Judy also commented on her marriage to husband George Cooper, also 85, who she has been with since 1979.
Sharing Insights: Legendary author Judy Blume recounted her groundbreaking career and life
The happy woman gushed, “He moved in on our second date.”
“We’ve been through a lot together and he’s amazing,” she added. ‘I mean, we’re so different. We are so alike, but then we are so different.
‘He’s relaxed. No problem. And he makes me feel so safe in my world, just being with him.”
Judy, whose documentary Judy Blume Forever comes out April 21, spoke candidly about her longevity.
“I always thought I would die very young because of my father’s family. No one lived to 60,” she explained.
And that’s why she felt the urgency to pump out books, a total of 29 throughout her career.
She mused, “Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up. Another book, another book, another book. Hurry, hurry, hurry. And [then you] turn around and suddenly you’re 85.’
Judy commented on her writing style, “I’m an intuitive writer. I don’t analyze much and the story just flows.’
Going strong: Speaking to People magazine, the 85-year-old writer said she still has more to achieve
Longevity: Judy said, “I don’t know what 85 means. But I feel like there’s a lot more I want to do. I like doing this’; pictured this month at Variety’s Power of Women event
The cultural luminaire shared her accumulated wisdom, advising, “Keep moving.” Keep dancing! Keep doing what you can.’
The New Jersey-born novelist has used literature to bring attention to topics such as menstruation and masturbation, which has not always been well received.
In her career, she has had to defend naysayers who sometimes thought the subjects weren’t suitable for children’s books.
Speaking about it in an excerpt from her forthcoming documentary, she said, “A book can’t hurt a child.”
She is a member of the National Coalition Against Censorship and her advocacy for the freedom to read is ongoing.
Judy admitted she cried after seeing the completed Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret movie for the first time.
And she called witnessing “the experience of a lifetime!”
Pushing boundaries: The New Jersey-born novelist has used literature to draw attention to topics such as menstruation and masturbation, which has not always been well received
The film stars Abby Ryder Fortson, with support from Rachel McAdams, who plays her mother Barbara.
The feature film will be released on April 28 by Lionsgate and is directed and adapted by Kelly Fremon Craig. Blume was also a producer.
The coming-of-age novel was released in 1970 by Bradbury Press and follows sixth-grader Margaret Simon.
It was a bestseller and was voted Best Book of the Year by The New York Times.
In her words: On her writing style, Judy remarked, “I’m an intuitive writer. I don’t analyze much and the story just comes’