I’d say that after my father passed my writing changed, it went deeper. Most would say ’matured’ but I don’t think I’d use that word in relation to my progress. I think ’change’ is a little more accurate.

Springfield reflects on how bereavement can alter an artist’s inner landscape and, consequently, the work that comes out of it. He resists the flattering, linear narrative implied by “matured,” which suggests steady improvement or moral/artistic elevation. Instead he chooses “change,” a more neutral term that acknowledges grief as a transformative force without claiming it automatically makes the art “better.” The remark also hints at a self-critical stance toward creativity: progress is not a straight ascent but a shift in concerns, emotional range, and depth of attention. The quote frames artistic development as responsive to life events rather than as a simple accumulation of skill.