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One of the best things about writing as a
career, is that I never have to retire. Another great perk is that my
hobby…reading…compliments and enhances my profession. When I retired from my
day job in 2002, I began living my dream. My life was perfect for about seven
years and I had the schedule I’d always dreamed of. I arose early, took a brisk
three-mile walk through my neighborhood, had a bowl of oatmeal with fresh blueberries,
then I went to my computer where I wrote for four hours. In the afternoon I
edited my copy and read.
I loved my life. I even loved Monday morning!
Then age caught up with me and none of this was
working. This really ticked me off, especially with myself. The bitch-lady who
lives inside every writer’s head began screaming ugly accusations. Lazy!
Unmotivated! Procrastinator!
My published mystery, THE INCONVENIENT CORPSE,
was doing well. I pushed myself to spend long hours and complete book two, THE
CORPSE WHO WALKED IN THE DOOR. But I couldn’t work more than 20 minutes without
having to lie down. Not even the bitch-lady could get me on my feet for more
than a few minutes.
I was scared that my dream-life was ending, that
my writing days were over. But the harder I pushed myself the fewer pages I
cranked out. I’d always been disgustingly healthy and could force myself to
keep working when I was exhausted. Even when I was working two jobs. That was
when I was forced to rethink my attitude. I had to face the fact that I could
no care for my 4-bedroom, 2-car garage and all that went with that, and have
any energy to write.
More than staying in my home of 40 years, I
wanted to finish my 2nd book in the Grace Cassidy series and keep
spinning stories.
Modifications were required, and here are some
of the changes I made:
I sold my beloved house and moved into an
independent-living apartment, here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. These places don’t come
cheap, and I like to have spending-money in my pocket. So I chose a three-room
apartment. My choice allowed me to keep my manicures, pedicures, and top-notch
hair colorist and instead, give up things I had collected over the years.
Downsizing and moving was a nightmare. Adjusting
to my new life was tough. I had had one serious meltdown, which my youngest
daughter helped me through. We writers are sentimental and parting with some
things was hard.
This is
just stuff, I told myself. My life is my family and my writing, not
bric-a-brac, not even books.
This is for me and my writing career, I told the
bitch-lady, who castigated my every move. I ignored her in the same way we
writers have to disregard her when she says, “Whatever made you think you could
write a mystery?”
I also faced my developing health problems. As
Bette Davis once said, “Old age ain’t for sissies.” Now I have a pacemaker and
a bi-pap machine for my sleep apnea. I wasn’t happy about either of these
things, because each diagnosis shouted, “Old Woman!” But guess what?
I had my life back. I could write for a couple
of hours without having to go to bed for the rest of the day. I was creating
stories again! I finished THE CORPSE WHO WALKED IN THE DOOR and began book
three in the series.
I LOVE MY LIFE.
Senior living isn’t for everyone, but for a
single woman writer, it rocks!
I never want to give up writing.
Nowadays, after I slide out of bed in the
morning, chug down pills that keep my heart pumping, and make a cup of coffee
in my wonderful Kureig coffee maker, I walk directly to my computer and begin
my day as an author.
I’m setting at my desk right now, fingers on
keys, and working. And I know something I didn’t understand two years ago. As
we writers age, we have change our schedules so nothing interferes with our
story telling. Writing is hard. Writing takes time and energy. Writing takes
courage. If you find your productivity wanes as you age, take stock of your
situation and figure out how to put your writing at the top of the list.
Sometimes we just have to kick our own butts.
Jackie King loves books, writing tall tales, and murdering the people she dislikes on paper. Her latest mystery The Corpse Who Walked in the Door is available in ebook format. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, Oklahoma Writers Federation, and Tulsa NightWriters.
Catch Up With Jackie:
advice for authors
advice for writers
books
Grace Cassidy Mystery
Jackie King
motivation for writers
partners in crime tours
the Corpse who walked in the door
tips
writers and authors
writing
6 Comments
Thanks for sharing your most interesting journey with us! So glad to hear you're continuing to write and working on your third book!
ReplyDeleteHi Lance, My journey is back to "Terrific," once again. I just got back from a wonderful mystery conference, KILLER NASHVILLE. I spoke on a panel titled KILLER COZIES, and it was all great.
ReplyDeleteHORRORS! I just hate it when I read something I wrote that's already been published and spot a glaring error.
ReplyDeleteI know that you have all caught my oopsie! And you're right! I'm NOT a hen. I'm a writer. Should have written:
"I'm SITTING at my desk..."
So sorry. Hope my red face doesn't cause a glare on your computer screen.
Hugs,
Jackie
I'm so glad you posted the link, Jackie! I know PRECISELY what you mean. I can't work like I used to, but I guess we just keep working as we can. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteI also have a pace maker and bi-pap and take handfuls of pills every day for my heart failure, but I enjoy every day. One thing that make life enjoyable, Jackie, is reading mysteries like yours. I am glad you chose to keep writing!
ReplyDeleteJackie - I am at your crossroads right now. This a.m. I took a good long look at my house and said. . .Well, I won't say what I said. I am facing a wheelchair confinement and trying to look at it with a 'this could be good' attitude. Thanks for the article!
ReplyDeleteI love to hear from you. So feel free to comment, but keep in mind the basics of blog etiquette — no spam, no profanity, no slander, etc.
Thanks for being an active part of the Writers and Authors community.