Jennette McCurdy Finds Belonging in Writing

Jennette McCurdy, once a child star on Nickelodeon, has discovered a deep sense of belonging and purpose in her writing career. Her debut novel, "Half His Age," has now spent four weeks on The New York Times bestseller list, a testament to her success beyond acting.

McCurdy, who quit acting in her twenties due to her experiences as a child performer shaped by an abusive mother, finds writing to be a more authentic and self-directed profession. This shift has been transformative for her life.

Her novel explores uncomfortable themes of girlhood, featuring a 17-year-old protagonist named Waldo who navigates a relationship with her older teacher. McCurdy hopes the book encourages readers to approach their younger selves with greater self-compassion.

The novel's sex scenes were deliberately crafted to reflect Waldo's varied emotional states, avoiding romanticization. McCurdy emphasizes that rage, often suppressed, has significantly informed her own life decisions and is a key theme for her protagonist.

Beyond her literary success, McCurdy is also developing a series adaptation of her memoir "I'm Glad My Mom Died" and working on new, undisclosed projects.