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author of THE WRITER WITHIN YOU - A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing and Publishing in Your Retirement Years 
Lauren Smith: Why did you write this book?
Charles Jacobs: Whenever I speak to groups on subjects related to writing and publishing, members of the audience, particularly older folks, approach me and state enthusiastically, “I’ve been dying to write this book for years. It’s a fabulous story.” A moment later I hear their forlorn admission, “But I don’t know how to do it. I need help.” They long for easy-to- understand instruction in a single volume to get them started. Convinced there was a great need for this type of book, I surveyed their specific wants, and used those findings to craft The Writer Within You.
Lauren Smith: Why do you think it’s important that people write and/or tell their stories?
Charles Jacobs: Years of life experiences help a person fashion his/her unique view on living. Many want to pass this on to loved ones and friends by writing a memoir. Others prefer to build their outlook into a character of a novel or short story. Some express their individual interests by writing a how-to. Many retirees try to remain active in their chosen careers by writing for trade publications or freelancing in related businesses.
Lauren Smith: Do you see more people interested in telling their stories?
Charles Jacobs: It’s not so much a matter of that as it is a new perspective on retirement and how to fill those senior years productively. Retirees, particularly Baby Boomers who are now reaching 65 years of age, want to remain active. Some opt to continue working. The vast majority want to accomplish something worthwhile. Many of them hope to pursue an activity that the demands of a work schedule never allowed before. I was quite amazed when I saw the results of a major poll conducted by Eons.com, a very popular web site for seniors and baby boomers. 14,000 respondents to the Eons’ poll stated that “writing a book” was their second most cherished life dream. (Only losing weight outpolled it.) That reinforced what I had discovered from informal audience surveys at my speaking engagements. I am also aware of a Gallup Poll that reports 81% of the American population has a book inside them waiting to be written.
Lauren Smith: If someone reading this is wondering how to get started, can you offer them some quick tips?
Charles Jacobs: Of course, my immediate answer would be, “read my book.” But there are many outstanding books written to help novice writers and wanna-bes. People like Dan Poynter www.parapublishing.com and Patricia Fry www.matalijapress.com offer outstanding guidance. Newcomers should subscribe to some of the fine eZines and web sites on writing like www.amarketingexpert.com, www.absolutewrite.com or www.yudkin.com. It also makes sense to join a national or regional writer’s organization. PMA and SPAWN are leading national groups. Most states, even many communities, have smaller groups, for example, FPA, the Florida Publishers Association. Read and absorb all you can from these very worthwhile sources, and keep looking for more.
Don’t get started unless you are truly committed to a writing project. To write well requires constancy. Set a specific schedule everyday or every other day and adhere to it. You can devote as little as two to three hours daily, but it must be regular. Hit or miss involvement is a waste of time and energy that can better be used in some other way.
Lauren Smith: What’s the biggest misconception about publishing?
Charles Jacobs: There are several:
* Don’t be fooled by the huge advances you occasionally read about. You won’t get one. They are reserved for highly successful authors, widely known celebrities and top political figures.
* Don’t anticipate that a publisher will foot the bill for glamorous road trips, signings, gala dinner parties and more. It ain’t gonna happen unless you are one of the types listed above.
* Only the top name publishing houses will make you your book a best seller. The second tier of smaller, independent publishers have been remarkably successful and are more supportive and much easier to work with. Self-publishing is no longer looked down upon as an avenue for authors unable to snag a publisher. It is becoming more and more popular, and frankly deserves that popularity. It’s a superb way to publish your book and far more lucrative, if you are willing to do the work involved.
Lauren Smith: What do you hope people will get from your book?
Charles Jacobs: I know that just reading my book or even supplementing that with the articles on my web site (www.retirement-writing.com) or my blog will not make anyone a star writer. What I have tried to do is to provide an overview of this arcane, complex industry, simplify it and offer enough basic information to make it possible to write and successfully publish a work. The Writer Within You contains a lengthy appendix that lists quality resources to help an interested reader reach beyond my thoughts.
Lauren Smith: What’s next for you? What’s your next project?
Charles Jacobs: For most of my life, my writing has been nonfiction whether on newspapers and magazines or ghost writing books for others. Three years ago on a dare, I attempted my first novel, Blood Bond – Love and Hatred Surface in a Brutal Test of Family Ties. I really enjoyed writing it, and think that when I complete the initial heavy promotional work for my current book, I may next try fiction once again. I have several possible ideas, but am hesitant to reveal any until I decide which I will pursue.
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