Oh I don't know

It was what made sense in the context of her life. But it is not the only way to be a writer. Still an interesting quote...

“A writer needs as much trauma as she can take”

~ Phyllis Dorothy James

And there is this:

"Helen Hooven Santmyer took almost six decades to complete …And Ladies of the Club."

~ C. Morris

https://laterbloomer.com/cynthia-morris/

(I vaguely remember that book...should I look for it again...)

https://www.openlettersmonthly.com/stevereads/2012/07/and-ladies-of-the-club/

It could be that I mostly remember the cover.

https://www.abebooks.com/9780425077047/...And-Ladies-Club-Helen-Hooven-0425077047/plp