April 2010
‘Writing is beyond me’ - a friend remarked upon learning about the Prose Competition for the sixty plus.
A statement to concentrate the mind.
Most people of mature years have had the advantage of attending school at a time when children were taught to write clearly and grammatically - and to spell correctly. The retired have all lived through countless memorable experiences ranging from the devastating through to the tumultuous - very many surely worth recording for a variety of reasons. We can all remember vividly those special times.
We may enjoy vocalising if there are ears to hear but in the perpetually mobile life style of today, listeners often have to be caught on the wing. People tend more readily to make reading time whether for enlightenment or purely for relaxation. How frequently we wish that our parents or grandparents had passed down to us a personal account of much that had happened during their lifetime and, of course, filled in for us some family history.
No wonder nostalgia is such a popular subject for sadly many young people today know little or nothing of grandparents or ancestors. Tragically an increasing number do not even know their own parents. A personal account from a family member to some major event can ensure electrifying interest.
Many established writers work in isolation, only occasionally socialising or meeting those similarly occupied. Others, whilst shutting themselves away to work then enjoy meeting fellow writers and others when ideas flow and batteries are re-charged.
For those discovering the joy of writing, the questioning mind requires stimulation, help and encouragement and here colleagues in a writers’ group or circle can prove invaluable.
Research is absorbing and very rewarding. Then the joy of seeing that ‘masterpiece’ in print, especially when an editor has paid the writer well in order to give readers the opportunity to appreciate that which the author has worked so hard to produce.
Writing as a hobby has many advantages; it is great therapy No equipment is required apart from pen and paper. One can scribble anywhere at any time and mind-writing, whilst walking the dog or doing the chores can be extremely productive. A mind creatively absorbed has little time for depression or futile worries.
Retirement years are perhaps the best time in life to embark upon writing as a hobby as many prolific authors have proved. For those new to the exercise, there are many opportunities for getting into print . . . readers' letters, fillers for magazines, progression to articles and short stories. But of course in the early days one has to learn the art of cut, cut and cut again and to be prepared for some early rejections, but perseverance pays. Many people have a novel within them just waiting to be written.
Writing can be much more than a hobby; it can become a very lucrative way of life.
Always, however, it is the joy of composition which is paramount.