Love, loss & life with Mitch Albom

From Tuesdays with Morrie to The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom has sold more than 40 million booksand his newest novel, Twice, is out October 7! We caught up with the bestselling author ahead of the book's release to talk about his inspirations, writing and the power of asking 'what if?'

- MELISSA D'AGNESE

Mitch Albom is known for his inspiring, heartfelt stories about life, faith and hope. But in his new novel, Twice, Albom turns his keen eye—for the first time—toward love, romance and the magic of second chances. “I reached the point in my life where you ask yourself, Should I have done something differently? Would I have?” Albom tells Woman's World. “I think that’s a universal feeling—that’s what this book is about.” In fact, all of Albom’s books are driven by real-life questions and moments. His breakout bestseller, Tuesdays with Morrie, was the result of a series of conversations with his college professor. The book asked: What makes a meaningful life? We sat down with Albom to discuss his latest novel and the choices that shape who we become.

Woman's World: What first drew you to storytelling? Did you always know you wanted to become an author?

Mitch Albom: No, I was an accidental author. I read a lot as a kid, but I never wrote. I was a musician—that’s all I ever really wanted to be. I only went to college because my parents said, ‘You can be a musician, but you’re going to college first.’ My plan was to go, graduate and start a music career. I lived overseas and in New York City, playing gigs and trying to make it. Eventually, I volunteered at a local newspaper. I had never written anything journalistic before, but I had read enough newspapers to mimic the style. The next week, I picked up the paper and saw my story—on the bottom of the front page. My byline was in print for the first time. I felt this little tingle in my stomach, that sense of, ‘I made something.’ So I went back. Did it again. Then again. I worked there for six months for free. Finally, they said, ‘Well, you’re here all the time, we’ll start paying you.’ They gave me $25 a week.

WW: How amazing! You mentioned being ‘an accidental author.’ Can you share how Tuesdays with Morrie came to be?