Judy Smith

No one wants to write their own biography. What do I say? How do I describe myself? I figured I’d start with where I’m from—but that’s tricky. I moved so many times and went to five high schools in four different states. College? I didn’t go. So, I asked my children and grandchildren what I should say. They know me best.

“You don’t bake cookies like other grandmas. You send us on clue hunts to find our gifts.”

“You wear leopard pants.”

“You spill everything and carry a Tide to Go stick everywhere.”

“You have a wicked right hook shot.”

“And that weird fear of rubber bands.”

So here I am—a debut author at 70. I’ve always wanted to write, but child-rearing, career-building, and life got in the way. Now I finally have the time and discipline. I don’t see my age as a barrier. Quite the opposite. I bring 70 years of love, loss, joy, pain, and experience to the page.

Sure, there are new challenges—word loss (not ideal for a writer), creaky joints, early dinners, and even earlier bedtimes. But also? A fuller social life than ever. Between water aerobics, daily lunches with friends, long walks, and the occasional date (yes, I said it), I find quiet moments to write—usually before the sun comes up.

The Golden Years Glitch is a little revenge, I won’t lie. This is not my story, but it was inspired by my ex. I gave him more chances than I should have. Then I gave him a book.

My protagonist is 70, sensual, smart, and strong. Like so many of us. We don’t disappear as we age—we become more ourselves. And yes, we still talk about sex. Get used to it.