Planning to Live in Retirement Edition 3: Writing
I was blogging a lot, but then I hit another overwhelmed period, so then it became a bit hit or miss. Blogging is writing. I let thoughts come out on these pages. I followed blog trends like tracking frugal activities, menu planning, and week recaps. It stopped working for me along the way, though I like reading how others manage the ordinary, yet important pieces of life. As I move into these last months until retirement, I'd like to lean into writing with more focus and intentionality. Maybe it would be a good direction in helping to work through grief.
Long time readers of my other blogs ( no longer active) might remember I was working on a book.It was a collection of short stories woven into a larger storyline.I haven't touched it in nearly two years, and at that point was five plus years into it. Perhaps time to get it done after retirement and at least close that chapter.I won't pretend I'm a great writer, or even a good one. But hey, even the good ones have editors. It might stay in a draft form forever or maybe my daughter would take a stab at a first cleanup. Then, maybe I could float it out there and see if something sticks.
Regardless of this book moving forward or not, writing is a post retirement activity that could both give me structure both in dedicated time in the action but in research to create hopefully interesting content. It's a possible effort to give this brain somewhere to go other than sadness and loss.
I always have liked to write, even if I've never had enough talent or patience to make a living from it. I had a paid job in highschool though, writing for the local paper, covering some of the highschool sports. I was paid by the inch of type print. I guess technically writing has been included in many of my jobs such as editorials, newsletter articles, and journals, but heavily reviewed and focused content.
I'd like to take a class or two, maybe join a writers group.There's meet ups both in person and online that I've seen. We even have one locally. Maybe there'll be another attempt at a book or a blog spin off in my future. Or, repeating myself, that first project will stay in draft form forever while more drafts of other "books" keep it company.It's at least something.
This sounds like a fabulous idea!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Anne. Sounds great. I toy around the idea of writing a book a lot. I have a few concepts & I've written a bit here & there. On the daily side, I journal, but it's more of a gratitude writing exercise. (Hawaii Planner)
ReplyDeleteSounds amazing - you have our support.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. You certainly have the talent for writing, and the more you do hones your skill. Joining a writing group that gives positive feedback will help encourage you as well. Enjoyment is the most important thing.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes! And your post today gives me courage and inspiration to give more time and attention and thought to my own writing.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I think retirement is a good time to explore things that you enjoy doing or have always wanted to do. I really like writing. I can't remember a time when I didn't write stories. It's a way of destressing or letting out my feelings. Not sure anyone will ever read the stories I write as I'm not sure I will share them, but it's just something I do!
ReplyDeletePlease do go forward with your writing. Lots of people have found success with their writing after retirement from their regular jobs!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great plan for you :)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of your writing more. I am sure it would be successful. I should follow my advice and take up writing again...lol.
ReplyDeleteWriting can be very therapeutic can't it, and having more time to do so will do you the world of good, I'm sure. I was just thinking last night about how some people bare their entire lives on Youtube/Tictok etc. and how I could never do that. That being said, I have enjoyed being able to reread old posts and relive certain moments. Blogging for me is just my online diary at the end of the day, and I hope my kids will appreciate reading it later!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Sam. I follow the author Cheryl Strayed on Facebook and she runs writer's retreats, I'd love to go on one . xxx
ReplyDeleteA secret…I too have written and desire to write fiction. I actually had several things (not fiction ) published in my former career days! One of my old high school acquaintances is a prolific romance novelist. (We used to predict story plots on soap operas when we were in high school, and developed a chart to measure our accuracy.) She claims the key to writing is to just do it ESPECIALLY when you don’t feel like it. While there are days she can start at 9a.m. and go into her office and write until dinner, then go back until midnight, there are also days where she know she has to treat it like any other job, and force herself to pound out text, and not get up until she has completed her word count target. We don’t write to eat, so we don’t have to do that, but her message was essentially, just write. And for what it’s worth, I think you write beautifully. I am happy you are continuing, if for no other reason than your own satisfaction!
ReplyDelete-Meg B.
Writing can be very therapeutic too.
ReplyDelete