Been There? Done That? Write A Book!

By Megan Edwards

As my generation heads into retirement, I have become accustomed to hearing declarations akin to, “At last I have time to write my book!” I wish nothing but success to each and every aspiring writer who plans to use newfound leisure to release the book that’s been locked up inside.

Time, however, is only one necessary component. Anyone who has ever arrived at “The End” knows that time offers only opportunity, and sticking with a book project through completion takes much more than that. Writing takes skill, effort, grit, and courage, to name just a few of the necessary strengths and abilities. The truth is, writing takes everything that life does. If you are really going to share that book you have trapped inside you with the outside world, you better be ready to hang on for a bumpy ride full of unexpected twists and turns.

There’s good news, though! You’re not coming to the word-wrangling game fresh out of childhood. You’re arriving with an array of advantages that younger folks can only envy. If you’re serious about using your hard-earned golden years for word crafting, here are just a few strengths you can count on when you sit down to write.

1. You’ve lived through interesting times. I just finished writing a book that spans the decades from the 1960s to the 2000s. I had to do some research on details, but, having lived through those decades myself, I drew on innate knowledge that would have required major effort on the part of a younger person trying to paint a picture of life during those same years. We’ve all heard the old admonition “Write what you know.” You know a lot, simply because you’ve been on the planet for more than half a century. Use it!
2. You’ve played a full cast of roles. You’ve been a kid, a teen, a student, a worker, a parent, a grandparent… and more. Think of all the parts you’ve played, hats you’ve worn, and niches you’ve occupied. All those experiences relating to others in different capacities provide you with a treasure trove of knowledge from which to create characters or characterizations. This background helps you whether you are writing fiction or relating factual events. You have the capacity to understand your subjects’ backgrounds, feelings, and motives, which lets you tell their stories with depth and authenticity.
3. You’ve been there. You don’t have to be a globe trotter to rack up a history of interesting locales. Whether you grew up in Paris or Podunk, you have first-hand knowledge of all the places you’ve experienced at your fingertips. You might do a little research to fill in details, but you need look no further than your own experiences to paint a perfect picture of a mid-century schoolroom, a sixties rock concert, or a myriad of other places frozen in your memory from the moment you experienced them. Even if your dream is to create whole new worlds, it’s your own background and belief system that will provide the raw materials. You’ve also had more time to read, another way of “being there.”
4. You’ve done that. Maybe you haven’t been President or won an Oscar, but only you have followed your unique path. If you’ve pondered writing a book, you probably already have an idea of what kind it will be. Chances are you’ve already drawn from your own experiences for inspiration. They are the perfect place to start. For the book I just finished writing, I drew from my own memories growing up in and around prep schools in southern California. My experiences living in Germany and traveling in Europe provided background for other parts of the story.
5. You can find out the rest. The internet has made research easier than ever. Need to know about Sputnik or how champagne is made? These days, all it takes is a few clicks. When I decided to write a story about a violin, I knew little about stringed instruments and the people who dedicate their lives to playing and manufacturing them. As I did my research, I met violinists, violin makers, and classical music enthusiasts, all of whom were generous with their time and expertise. Research can be one of the most enjoyable parts of writing a book.

I won’t say it’s easy to string together words into a complete novel, a satisfying memoir, a revealing biography, or a powerful treatise. What I can share is that the process alone is ample reward. If you’ve been storing a book inside you and now have the time to think about letting it out, remember that you have more than opportunity. Your time on earth has given you unique experiences and perspectives. Writing your book is one of the best ways on earth to share them.