Falklore II

During a long career in news and public relations, and even now, I've met a lot of retired persons, and some seniors who aren’t retired, who said they'd like to write a book. That is a commendable ambition, but one that will take preparation, work and research. After fifty or so years, I think everybody has a story, fact or fiction, to tell. And trust me, its fun doing it.

However, keep in mind that it might be the most difficult and demanding thing you've ever tried, and yet, it might be the most fun and gratifying thing you've ever tried. Writing is easy. Doing it right is not. The most precious thing about writing when you are a senior is that you have time to devote to the craft which is of the essence.
Avoid disappointment. As the old axiom points out: "Don't put the cart before the horse." Learn the trade. I've played sports all my life: Football, baseball, and more recently tennis and golf. I learned that whether it's playing games or writing, the requisites are the same: "Know what the game is about before trying it."
That means spending time to learn about the kind of writing you want to do. For senior neophytes, a community college is the best source. Enroll in writing classes. Take time to learn the basics and be patient. That is just the first step in achieving your writing aspirations.

Questions/Comments? Contact Jim at james@jamesfalk.net, or visit www.jamesfalk.net.

James Falk, as a teen-ager, used to dream of being a big-time racketeer. Fortunately, his dream didn't come true. A 10th grade dropout, he finished highschool after four years in the Marines and went on to earn a B.A. in Journalism and an M.A. in Communications.