Leslie Wyatt writes romance novels about people in their 60s

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Today I’m speaking with Leslie Wyatt, a woman who spent decades as a freelance writer and homeschool mom to six children.

But after turning 50, Leslie began exploring untapped creative passions and, in doing so, uncovered some powerful truths about life, love and personal growth.

In our conversation, three key takeaways stood out:

• First, it’s never too late to rekindle buried dreams. Leslie returned to painting and discovered her love for writing romantic fiction, especially with characters in their 60s, navigating life and love with authenticity.
• Second, we must learn to embrace, not fight, the aging process. Leslie discusses how society’s obsession with youth can prevent older adults from fully enjoying the unique blessings of their current season of life.
• Third, joy and purpose aren’t tied to productivity. Especially for women, Leslie urges them to give themselves permission to do things simply because they bring them joy and not because they serve others or generate income.

Leslie’s story is honest, heartwarming and a reminder that we can all still bloom, even in our 60s. And her life after 50 is a wonderful example of creative rediscovery and heartfelt authenticity.

While she spent much of her adult life writing articles and middle-grade fiction, it wasn’t until she entered her 60s that she ventured into a new literary space – writing romance novels featuring characters her own age.

Her transition was sparked by a suggestion from her daughter and an ordinary writing prompt: the color blue.

That seed grew into a passion for telling love stories grounded in reality – not tales of glamorous getaways or whirlwind affairs, but deeply relatable stories featuring older adults dealing with everyday challenges.

Her protagonists are often widowed, divorced or emptynesters navigating new possibilities for connection. They’re people who may have written off the idea of romance until it unexpectedly comes back around.

“I think everyone just wants to be loved and to love,” Leslie said. “And by the time we’re in our 50s and 60s, we’ve got a little more wisdom to bring into those relationships.”

Her characters reflect the complexities of aging, which include grown children, health changes and shifting priorities. Through them, Leslie explores themes of second chances, enduring friendship and emotional healing.

For Leslie, writing these novels isn’t just about storytelling. It’s a platform to validate and celebrate seasoned love and to remind people that they still have much to offer.

Beyond writing, Leslie is also an accomplished oil painter who favors bold colors, realistic scenes, and the architectural beauty of everyday life. She recently landed an artist-in-residency at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, where she’ll be painting and working on her next book set in a fictional national park.

It’s a beautiful example of what happens when you return to a buried passion. In high school, no one recognized her talent for art – not even her teachers. Yet today, Leslie’s artwork is exhibited in galleries and sold in her own Etsy shop. Her life proves that it’s never too late to rediscover a hidden treasure or find new purpose in old dreams.

She also advocates strongly for embracing the present rather than longing for the past or obsessing over youthful ideals. “I’ve never been 65 before,” Leslie explained. “So why would I try to be 30 again? Let me fully live the season I’m in.”

This mindset fuels her mission to help others – especially women – to let go of guilt and perfectionism, and embrace the richness of life now. Whether she’s writing, painting or enjoying time with her adult children and grandkids, Leslie has learned to value being, not just doing.

And she offers gentle encouragement to anyone over 50 searching for purpose: look to what made you come alive as a child. That spark may be waiting to reignite something meaningful in your life.

You can connect with Leslie through her website at www.lesliejwyatt.com, browse her artwork on Etsy at Leslie’s Paintings and Prints, or follow her on Instagram at @lesliejwyatt.

Her books, “When I’m 64” and “All of Me,” are available on Amazon and in other bookstores.

In a world that often devalues age, Leslie Wyatt is using her voice, her pen and her paintbrush to say otherwise. And that, my friends, is what it looks like to live forward from 50.

That’s all for this week’s show. If you’d like to start living a more meaningful life, I encourage you to download our free guide to finding purpose, which is available at www.forwardfrom50.com.

I’ll have another inspirational interview on the next episode of the Forward From 50 podcast. Thanks for listening. If you like this show, please consider leaving a review wherever you download the episodes.