Slowing Down by Marilyn Levinson

When does a writer retire? Some people retire from their jobs at fifty-five. Others at sixty-five. Some at seventy. Some people never retire, and I suspect that most writers fall into this category. After all, there's no one to send us off with a watch and a party and a pension.

Like many writers I know, I started writing as a second career. There are advantages to that. We've learned important life lessons over the years and have become familiar with at least one work place--always useful as a setting. Of course starting later also meant that achieving success or at least some recognition in the publishing world would arrive at an older age.

They say that learning to be a good writer is a process. So is finding your place in your writing world. These past forty years, I've forged many wonderful friendships with fellow writers, editors and publishers. It's no wonder that when I receive notices of upcoming mystery conferences, I'm looking at photos of friends and familiar faces. 

I suppose retirement for a writer comes when he or she stops writing for publication. Maybe the ideas no longer come, or physical ailments interfere with the writing process. Or the burning urge to create has extinguished. Does a writer simply stop cold turkey, or does it happen gradually?

Speaking for myself, I find that I am slowing down. While I'm in general good health, and look younger than my eighty-six years, I have a few chronic conditions that flare up and affect my day-to-day life. There are days when I simply cannot write my usual five hundred or more words. I've learned to respect this, and have already asked for an extension for one of my contracts.

Because my energy level has diminished, I keep in-person events to a minimum. While I never went to many mystery conferences, I always looked forward to Malice every year. But after contacting Covid there two years in a row and becoming more easily tired, I've decided I can no longer attend. In truth, not spending in-person time at Malice with friends and fans is what I miss most.

I am especially grateful that social media allows me to be in constant contact with readers and colleagues. I continue to write books, and I've even started keeping a journal of sorts, which may or may not be for publication.

Dear Writer, have you reached the time in your life when you've begun to slow down? Have you ever considered when would be the right time to retire?