The writer and educator Beth Kaplan discusses her new collection of essays MidLife Solo: Writing Through Chaos to Find My Way in the World (Mosaic Books, 2023), with Joseph Planta.

MidLife Solo: Writing Through Chaos to Find My Way in the World by Beth Kaplan (Mosaic Books, 2023). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Midlife Solo

Text of the introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

Beth Kaplan joins me again. She’s just published a new collection of essays, MidLife Solo: Writing Through Chaos to Find My Way in the World. It follows Beth, who at forty with two young children, divorces from their father. There are essays here about therapy, about raising two kids as a single parent, how to make ends meet as a creative, writing and getting published for the first time, as well as growing older. Beth is in her seventies now, and there’s no stopping her. She teaches, and she continues to write. The book is relatable in many ways, and there’ll be something in the book that will tug at a heartstring, or prompt you to do something in your own life. Throughout the book, family members grow, as well as others flow in and out of Beth’s life. And we see Beth in these twenty-five years or so grow not just as a parent and writer, but as a person. I’ll talk to Beth about the book and more. A teacher for over thirty years now at Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of Toronto, Beth Kaplan, spent her twenties as an actress, before taking on motherhood raising two children. Her essays, some of which appear in this book, have appeared in sundry publications including the Globe and Mail. She’s also broadcast some of them on CBC Radio. Her website is at www.bethkaplan.ca. Beth was first on the program in December 2020, when her previous book, Loose Woman was published. This new book is from Mosaic Books. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Beth Kaplan; Ms. Kaplan, good morning.

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