In college, I wrote newspaper articles and songs. Then, on my

Host: The room was calm, the evening light slowly fading as Jack sat at the table, a reflective expression on his face as he read through something on his phone. Jeeny, sitting nearby, noticed the thoughtful look and set her book aside, sensing something significant had caught his attention.

Jeeny: (gently) “You seem deep in thought. What’s going on?”

Jack: (looking up, a small smile forming) “I was just thinking about a quote from Jane Yolen. She said, ‘In college, I wrote newspaper articles and songs. Then, on my 21st birthday, I sold my first book. It was a nonfiction book about women pirates — 'Pirates in Petticoats.' After that, I was a book writer for good.’ It struck me how pivotal that moment was for her, that decision to commit to writing as her career after selling her first book.”

Host: Jeeny smiles softly, clearly moved by the idea of a turning point in Yolen's life. She leans forward slightly, her fingers curling around her cup as she considers the deeper meaning behind the quote.

Jeeny: “It’s amazing, isn’t it? That shift from writing casually — articles and songs — to making the decision to be a full-time writer. It shows that sometimes, it just takes one moment, one milestone to make you realize this is what you’re meant to do. The fact that she sold her first book on her 21st birthday is almost like the universe telling her, ‘This is your path.’”

Jack: (nodding) “Exactly. It’s almost as if everything she had done up to that point — the newspaper articles, the songs — was building up to this one moment where she fully embraced her identity as a writer. It’s not just about the success of selling a book; it’s about the commitment to the craft and the realization that writing was more than just a hobby for her — it was her future.”

Host: Jeeny takes a deep breath, clearly reflecting on the idea of commitment to a passion. The conversation shifts, becoming more about the journey each of us takes to discover what we’re truly meant to do.

Jeeny: “I think it’s also about trusting your own journey. Jane Yolen didn’t rush into writing her first book. She wrote articles and songs first, which led her to that moment of selling her book. It’s a reminder that the steps along the way — the smaller projects, the experiences — are just as important as the big moments. It’s all part of building your story.”

Jack: “Right. And it’s a reminder that it’s not always about knowing exactly what your future holds from the start. Sometimes it’s about exploring different paths and allowing them to guide you to where you need to be. That first book wasn’t just the culmination of her work; it was the beginning of a lifelong journey as a writer.”

Host: Jeeny smiles softly, her eyes reflecting a quiet understanding. The room feels more intimate now, as they both reflect on how success and identity are often built over time, shaped by the smaller steps and experiences along the way.

Jeeny: “Maybe that’s the beauty of it — that life isn’t about rushing to the big moments. It’s about embracing the journey, doing what you love, and trusting that each step brings you closer to what you’re meant to do. Jane Yolen’s story is a reminder that we don’t need to have it all figured out — we just need to keep moving forward, one step at a time.”

Jack: (grinning) “Exactly. Every little piece of the puzzle fits together to create something bigger than you expected. You just have to trust the process and keep following what you’re passionate about.”

Host: The conversation falls into a peaceful silence, the understanding that finding our true path is often a journey built on smaller steps, each one leading us toward something bigger. Jane Yolen’s story reminds us that success is not just about the big moments, but about the commitment and passion that shape our journey.