A Writer Never Retires
Marilyn Levinson’s debut mystery, A Murderer Among Us, came out with Wings ePress in June of this year. Her ghost mystery, Giving Up the Ghost, will be out next spring with Uncial Press. All of her mysteries take place on Long Island, where she’s lived since moving from Brooklyn at the age of fourteen and a half.
A former Spanish teacher, Marilyn is the author of several novels for children and young adults. Her first, And Don’t Bring Jeremy, was a nominee for six state book awards.  Rufus and Magic Run Amok was selected by the International Reading Association and the Children’s Book Council for “Children’s Choices for 2002.â€
After attending her first Malice in 2010, Marilyn decided it was time to start a Long Island chapter of Sisters in Crime. With Bernardine Fagan, she co-founded the chapter, which held its first meeting August of 2010. She is the chapter’s current president. She also belongs to the Authors Guild, MWA, RWA, and the Guppies.
Though past the age when most people stop working, I continue to write novels. My retired non-writing friends play mah jongg and canasta, while I spend my days glued to my computer where I compose, edit, blog, and promote my work. For my fellow writers and I, writing is a way of life that doesn’t stop when we hit a particular birthday.
The advent of ebooks and the popularity of self-publishing are keeping me busier than ever. This year I signed three contracts with two different epublishers. My debut mystery, A Murderer Among Us, came out in June with Wings ePress, to a bevy of good reviews. Holly Price, who reviews for Suspense Magazine, named it her favorite indie publication of 2011. My ghost mystery, Giving Up the Ghost, is coming out with Uncial Press in the spring of 2012, and my romantic suspense, Dangerous Relations, will be out later that year.
These days, writers must not only write a great read, but also market and publicize each book that we publish. Hence, we guest blog, hold contests, create trailers, and make ourselves known via Facebook and Twitter. Though I constantly receive notices that people are following me 
on Twitter, I wonder if I’m tweeting correctly. Or if my notices on Facebook reach anyone. I struggle to email photos and covers correctly, to format ebooks properly. Each week there are new skills to master. The learning never stops. I like to think I’m creating new cells, and, in the process, warding off senility.
With my wonderful webmistress’s assistance, I’m putting up some of my out-of-print kids’ books on Kindle and CreateSpace. Since these books were first published traditionally, the covers were done by artists hired by the publisher. I had no input whatsoever. Now that I need several new covers, I’ve learned my way around stock/photograph websites, and, more importantly, how to convey what I want to a graphic artist. I was lucky to find Karen McCullough, http://www.karenswebworks.com/covers.html, who’s creating covers I adore.
Writing keeps me eager to get up each morning to find out what trouble my sleuth has gotten herself into. And when I get stuck, I email my writing buddies, who often come up with a wild suggestion I like or one that sparks an idea of my own. Writing is my way of life. I intend to keep at it as long as I can.
November 13, 2011
Posted in: Guest Blogs
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25 Responses
Did you ever strike a chord this morning. I, also, am at the age where you are supposed to sit down and reflect on your past life, because there is nothing more. Well, there is. Only, after this week, I was beginning to wonder. I’m going back into the hospital right before Thanksgiving (stuff always seems to happen right around Thanksgiving) so that they can see if they can open the arteries in my one remaining leg and talke them into carrying blood where its supposed to go, a depressing and scary thought, and then my much loved campanion of many years and many adventures unexpcetedly died. Her other fourlegged friend and I are devestated. But you are right. There is still life to live and we’ll go on as long as possible. I also have to remind myself of all the good things that have happened this year. Two books sold to Harlaquin for their re-prints, one new mystery out by Camel Press, and a finished new manuscript for a new series. We’ll go on, Laney and I,me typing away and her on Shea’s big bed, keeping an eye on me. Thanks for the post. It was timely, indeed.
Kathleen Delaney
Murder Half-Baked
Ah, yes. I was in my fifties before my first book was published. The 11th book (6th in my mystery series) releases this week. My friends talk about retiring, while I talk about the next book and the one after that ad infinitum. My role models are the artists musicians and writers who were still active at their craft well into their nineties. You can’t slow down this old bird!
Fran
the Biscuit McKee Mystery Series starring librarian Biscuit and library cat Marmalade
new: VIOLET AS AN AMETHYST
Enjoyed reading about your books. Holidays aren’t a good time for me-I’ve lost loved ones around the holidays. Most of my friends have retired but I am still working – my doctor says that work keeps you going. Enjoyed Marilyn’s blog post as well as the comments.
I can so relate to your blog, especially when I think that I could be playing mah jongg too, instead of spending hours in front of the computer each day for less money that I used to make at this job. But it’s what I love to do. Writing gives me a reason to get up each day beyond the mundane, and as you say, learning new skills keeps the brain cells active. I’m glad there are other nutcases–excuse me, I meant dedictated souls–out there like me who can’t give up this addiction.
There were many times in my pre-published days when I swore I’d give up this crazy business. That lasted less than half a day. Writers must have some sort of gene marker for determination. Or maybe it’s just pig-headed stubbornness. But we never quit.
Kathleen, Fran, Pat, Nancy, and GM,
Thanks so much for responding to an issue that impacts on us all. I truly believe writing fiction is a way of life. It’s our work, our hobby, our career all rolled into one. Hooray for the internet which enables writers to support one another and get on with it another day.
I, too, am retired (finally) after 34 four years teaching hormonal teenagers. But life sent me a curve at the age of 49–a stroke—which started me writing (as I always longed to do but was too busy grading papers). I’ve started a six book series and will self pub the first book. Being a math geek my entire life, I find writing brings me into a whole other world. Remember, for those of you who are saying there are a million things to learn, that it is important to be a life long learner. Hence, I find this new craft intriguing and hope that there is some publisher out there who will love my stories of the Hallock family of Hampton Beach (yes, I was born and raised in the Hamptons but now live in snow country outside of Syracuse). I find there is something new to learn everyday and writing keeps me on a routine—I don’t know how I EVER worked! My books are romantic suspense. Looking forward to picking yours up and reading the mystery. Love to find out more about Sisters in Crime.
I think I’d be bored to tears with a retirement of playing cards and watching TV. There’s nothing else I’d rather do than write, even well into old age!
Jana
Diane,
How can readers not love to read about the Hamptons? Where do you live? I’m sure there’s a Sisters in Crime chapter nearby. If not, there’s always the Guppies to join.
Jana, that’s the great thing about writing. And with all that writing books now entails, your days are filled and then some.
Marilyn
I feel the same way, Marilyn. I don’t plan on retiring. Except from the day job so I can spend more time writing. Why give up something you love?
Marilyn, I hope I am as clear-headed and energetic as you are when I reach your age. Maybe we keep writing because it’s fun?
~ Krista
Hi Marilyn,
I find it so interesting you wrote about the very topic I discussed with my husband this morning. I only began writing seriously about a year-and-a-half ago. Many of my writer friends have written many books to my one, and yet are years younger than me or close to my age.
I cannot imagine stopping, even though I can find plenty to do, between my day job, family, and home. Writing has given me renewed energy and excitement, and WHEN I finally get published, I’ll find it even more rewarding.
Great post!
Writing is satisfying. So is making things. Like . . . trouble?
Dear Peg, Krista, Jolyse, and Janet,
Don’t you think writing keeps us young? And out of mischief, Janet. Not to mention the great friendships we make along the way.
I can’t wait to retire so that I have more time to write! My grandfather didn’t start painting until his (eleven) children left the house and he created some beautiful paintings and became an artist of some acclaim in Ireland. Since I didn’t start writing until I was 40 I look to him as a role model. And now that I’ve read your story, you’ve become a role model as well. 2011 brought so many writing accomplishments your way and I’m sure 2012 will bring you even more. Keep writing!
I’m so glad I’m writing and–finally–getting published. I don’t know what I’d do otherwise since I don’t know how to play mah jongg. Maybe go back to bridge? Nah, I couldn’t quit writing for anything. You rock, Marilyn!
Write-tirement, yeah! Thanks for an excellent piece, Marilyn. Congrats on your triple successes this year and next, and wishing you many more published books in the future. Keep those sleuths in trouble!
Marilyn, you really struck a chord with everyone, didn’t you? Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on your own non-retirement
True! True! True!
However, I’ve given up writing more times than I care to mention. I’m a disgrace to the profession! However, I do keep going back to it. The whole process slows down the number of books I write. I’m glad I finally got one out there. Isn’t this indie business the best thing that’s come along in forever! I love it.
Toby and Bernadine–
Thanks for visiting.
Lelia, It’s been fun guest blogging on Buried Under Books. Thanks for having me.
Marilyn
Bernardette,
You’ve something to look forward to–a whole new life of writing. And you’ll make many writing friends, as well.
Kaye, you’re on a roll. You’ve plenty of books and stories in you waiting to be published.
Marilyn
Same thoughts I have! Writing is my second career. The older I get, the more I love doing this at my own time and pace. I love being on the computer as each day is different. Yes, you need to blog and join social networking groups, but that can be interesting.
When will I retire from this career? Who knows! I’m having too much fun right now.
Hi Marianne,
I think you agree that writing is a way of life.
Writing is also my second career. Actually, I took an early retirement so that I would get a chance to write the novels I envisioned. No regrets!
Jacqueline,
I’m discovering that writing’s a second career for many of us. I think this gives us a good perspective on things. And knowledge re at least one job or profession.
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