Episode 166: She Started Writing Fiction at 50 (After Cancer Changed Everything) | Mary Carroll Moore's Reinvention Story
/Powered by RedCircle
On the Live The Width of Your Life podcast, we explore what it means to not only live the length of our life but instead the breadth, depth, and purpose of each day.
She shares her personal story of creating balance in her life by aligning her daily choices to life values, strategies to redefine success, and creating space for a bit of magic and synchronicity.
It's never too late to change! We don't need to have it all figured out to begin; we can take action daily, show up imperfectly, and be amazed and inspired by how beautiful life can be.
Powered by RedCircle
What if I told you that 50 isn't the end of your creative dreams, it's just the beginning? Mary Carroll Moore proves it's never too late to reinvent yourself and follow your true calling.
If you're a high achiever, seeker, or anyone navigating a major life transition, this conversation will inspire you to embrace courage, rediscover your passions, and live with greater purpose.
Mary Carroll Moore is a bestselling and award-winning author of 13 books in three genres, including the PEN/Faulkner and Lambda Literary Awards–nominated novel Qualities of Light. She has been a chef, cookbook author, syndicated LA Times columnist, and writing teacher who helps others find their creative voice. After a life-changing cancer diagnosis in her forties, Mary courageously shifted careers and began writing fiction at the age of 50.
Key Takeaways:
From chef to novelist: How a health crisis became her greatest teacher
Why 50 was the perfect time to start her dream (not too late)
The courage practice that helped her leave a successful career behind
How creativity and art can heal during major life transitions
Legacy, family influence, and discovering your true calling
Permission to reinvent yourself at any age
Perfect for: Leaders, seekers, writers, midlife transitioners, and anyone ready to embrace reinvention, reclaim joy, and live with intention.
Connect with Mary Carroll:
Website → https://www.marycarrollmoore.com
Substack → https://marycarrollmoore.substack.com
Mary's books → Books — Mary Carroll Moore | Author and Artist
Instagram: Mary Carroll Moore (@marycarrollmoore)
Facebook: http://facebook.com/marycarrollmoore
More about Mary Caroll Moore:
Mary Carroll Moore is a bestselling and award-winning author of 14 books in 3 genres, including the PEN/Faulkner and Lambda Literary Awards, nominated young adult novel, Qualities of Light, and the prequel to A Woman’s Guide to Search & Rescue.
She received her MFA from Goddard College and has taught throughout the US and abroad at various writing schools and universities since 1998. Her writing-craft book, Your Book Starts Here, won the New Hampshire Literary Awards “Reader’s Choice” award.
Before moving into fiction, she worked as a chef, a cooking-school owner, a cookbook author, and a syndicated columnist for the Los Angeles Times. Her first cookbook won a Julia Child/IACP award. Over two hundred of her essays, stories, and articles have appeared in magazines and literary journals. She lives in New Hampshire with her family.
Read full transcript below:
About Your Host
Aneta Ardelian Kuzma is a holistic life coach, wellness expert, and yoga and meditation teacher, who explores what it means to live more fully, with intention, gratitude, and joy.
