HOMEGROWN: It’s Never Too Late
Well, maybe it is for some things — I’m not going to be a ballerina, although I did sign up for ballet classes when I turned 80. It was great for balance, flexibility and short-term memory. I was not preparing for the corps de ballet, so there was no pressure to perform.
Two years ago, a friend who is a big reader, writer and inspiration, Patsy Givins, told me to write about my life, starting with earliest memories. I resisted in all my usual ways. I am not a writer. I have a bad memory. I’ll develop carpal tunnel. I have to respond to about 200 emails a day … blah, blah, blah.
Four days later, after cleaning every corner of my house, I went into a room without my computer with yellow pad and pen. For 230 days, I wrote for 30 minutes. I had no idea this was possible.
Maya Angelou once said, “Making a decision to write was a lot like deciding to jump into a frozen lake.” Very recently, I have run into friends who have written, re-written, re-written, re-written, edited and published books. I am honored to know people of “our” generation who have jumped into that frozen lake, through the wall of doubt and resistance and, with courage, persistence and talent, created their own books.
One of these, John Ash, took on the monumental task of blending personal life experiences into a novel, “The Road to Oracle,” shaped “by the intersection of storytelling, psychology and place.” John is a retired architect, photographer, artist and contributor to Senior News. Now he is also a novelist! His book-signing event is June 6 at Eureka Books in Old Town.
I ran into another friend, Mark Sommer, in the St. Joe’s oncology waiting room; he told me he was finishing a book. Founder of the Mainstream Media Project and longtime host of “A World of Possibilities,” a syndicated radio show, he’s now 80 and has ventured from his customary commentary and analysis into a novel, “Cherish.” The book describes how when a cyberwar knocks out electrical power, supply chains, transportation and communications, locals come together, growing their own food and discovering how much they relish their reconnection.
“What’s new?” I said to James Floss in passing. “I published a book today,” he said. His “Sci-fi Shorts and a few other unmentionables” is available on Kindle. James suggests keeping it in the bathroom to read during potty breaks. He is a director, actor and lecturer … and writer!
Don’t worry about publishing a book. But I do suggest you take up Patsy’s suggestion. Find a yellow pad and your favorite pen, skip the emails and start writing. It is cathartic, better than therapy. You will spot your life decision points and threads as you proceed. No need to publish. It is for you.
Julie Fulkerson will be found June 6 playing second violin with her Watershed Quartet at John Ash’s book signing.
Email: juliefulkerson@mac.com.
