December 2019. A Writer’s Life. Update on last half of 2019.

 This is my first blog post in some time. Indeed, I think the last was in late June.  I recall saying I might take a break after a year of launches, readings, panels etc. focussing on my newly published (at that time) mystery, The White Ribbon Man, Inanna, 2018. And I did. I would like to report that all sorts of exciting things happened during that time. But after a slew of medical tests instead, the good news is that there are options for treatment. I would much rather have been doing almost anything else, but I was able to do quite a bit of writing. I resubmitted my memoir after extensive revision and just completed a collection of linked short stories called Dance Season.

I am now working in a concentrated way on the book on the social/emotional aspects of retirement many of you have encouraged me to write. While it does mention the financial issues of this transition, it focusses on these other aspects that are oft overlooked yet of equal importance.

I have enjoyed the research that consisted of interviews with people who are facing retirement and those who have already crossed that bridge. Also I took endless books out of the library and read numerous articles. I now have a structure for the book, a contents list and have written a few chapters. It took a while to get the structure organized. And there are aspects of writing non fiction that are very different than when writing fiction. So I am  learning the basics of yet another genre.

The title now is: The Stage is Yours; Finding Meaning and Purpose in Retirement. For each title I use, I get a blast of feedback suggesting other options. This is the first title that has received quiet approval from the outset. If you have thoughts about it, I would be glad to have your feedback also!.

Thus far, I have interviewed a number of people who will act as examples of some of the issues that arise. Their stories range from the inspirational to the practical to the humourous. I hope to finish it in the first half of 2020. If you have any ideas of who might want to publish such a book, let me know.  I don’t think I feel equipped at this later stage to self publish.  I think a lot of people will benefit from its content. Or so I am told.  Also any thoughts on marketing non fiction would be welcome. Marketing fiction is a great deal of fun, but also a challenge and even sometimes a nightmare. It is difficult to establish a ”Brand” for fiction and a way of communicating excitement. Although I have enjoyed doing so and have been moderately successful at it.  On the other hand, I gather that selling non fiction in Canada is actually more difficult these days. Just as I had concluded it might be easier!

 I won’t wait so long to post again. In the meantime, best wishes for whatever season you celebrate. And may 2020 be a heathy, happy year for you.

Mary Lou