In the early aughts, Emily Gould gained a name as an editor at New York–based gossip blog Gawker, where she was known for peppering her sharp commentary on the media and celebrities with personal details. A name quickly became notoriety, particularly after Gould quit the site and wrote a lengthy piece for The New York Times about the impact of oversharing on her life. Eleven years later, Gould has taken a deliberate step away from the intimate disclosures of her youth. She now runs Emily Books, a literary subscription service that she co-founded with a friend, and writes novels—like her latest, Perfect Tunes. From the creative gains that come with understanding one’s past, to the straight talk she’d give her younger self, Gould shares her thoughts on growing up.

Is there a bette...