Book took days to write, and now it's a movie

Joyce Maynard
The writer and author Joyce Maynard.
Euan Kerr/MPR News

Writer Joyce Maynard says the idea for her novel "Labor Day" came to her fully formed one day when she woke up. She heard the voice of a young boy telling the story of a passionate love affair between his depressed mother and an escaped convict over a Labor Day weekend. She wrote the book in a matter of days.

Now Jason Reitman, the director behind "Juno," "Up in the Air" and "Young Adult," has adapted Maynard's novel for the screen. It opens nationwide this weekend. Maynard came to the MPR studios to talk about the book, the film, and another movie she appeared in recently, "Salinger."

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.