“Dude, I never thought I’d eat as much broccoli as I do now, and I’ve never felt better.” —Randy Jackson on his dietary changes following a type 2 diabetes diagnosis what’s new

Letters Man Herman Wouk Novel approach

At 97, Pulitzer Prize–winning author Herman Wouk, known for The Caine Mutiny and The Winds of War, is not only still writing but experimenting with literary forms. His latest novel, The Lawgiver, tells the story of Moses through letters, emails, journals, tweets and text messages. Wouk spoke to AARP The Magazine about story- telling, loss and, yes, procrastination. Q: Did using texts and tweets seem like a modern way to approach Moses? When I grew up, I perceived that a narrative of transcendent power was embedded in the books of Moses. I under the sea made a few notes, dropped them in Earle dove off coral a file and for decades thought of it as reefs near the “the impossible novel.” In very old Aquarius research station in July. age it crossed my mind that I could tell the story through several voices, none with authority, and create a colorful suggestion of the real thing. Defender of the Deep Q: As you approach your 100th year, Awesome CLOCKWISE, fr where do you find the energy and discipline to write? What energy? She calls them hope spots: oceanic areas that, if protected like na- What discipline? To myself I seem tional parks, would allow sea life to thrive and ecosystems to heal. So a lifelong indolent procrastinator. oceanographer Sylvia Earle, 77, is traveling the world, demanding pres- o m t I’ve written only 13 novels in 67 years. ervation of our waterways before it’s too late. A National Geographic o p: F Q: I was sorry to read that you recently explorer-in-residence, Earle warns that acidification, which occurs as OX/G e tty Ima lost your wife, your editor and compan- the seas absorb more carbon dioxide, is at dangerous levels, threatening ion of 65 years. How have you coped? the marine food chain: “We’ll be seeing the effects for decades to come.” There’s no “coping” with the loss Understanding our oceans is essential to protecting them, says Earle, ges ; ki pe van s ; patr ick of BSW [Betty Sarah Wouk]. I live a who in July dove 60 feet down to the Aquarius Base off the Florida diminished life, but I try to go on as Keys—the world’s only undersea research station—to raise awareness I know she would expect of me. of funding needs. Clips landed on YouTube and The Daily Show as Jon Q: To what do you look forward? Stewart’s Moment of Zen. “The ocean governs climate, generates much The time and health to get my of the in the atmosphere and forms 90 percent of the biosphere ecclesi n e planned work done, by God’s grace. where life exists,” says Earle. “If you like to breathe, you’ll care about —Alanna Nash the ocean.” —Laurie Wiegler

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