Things that I learned returning to writing later in life

In 2017, I returned to writing for the first time in years. It wasn’t just for me; I had a desire to share my stories with the world. You see, I had been in a government-related job for nearly 20 years at that point, and it had taken over my life.

Instead of postponing my dreams until retirement, I decided to revisit my first love: writing.

It wasn’t an easy journey. I had not been writing for years, except for journaling. My grammar was all over the place because I had been out of practice for so long.

I spent some time posting to Reddit’s NOSLEEP subreddit. While it gained me some followers, they were quick to point out holes in plot lines and grammatical errors. At the time, I was hurt and took it a bit personally, but that’s how you learn.

I got better.

Then my stories were sought after by YouTubers such as Dr. Creepen, SeelenSpliter, and Uncle Ulric.

Having stories people want to read is always great, but with posting online comes the risk of people using your stories for their own gain. There’s a ton of theft. That’s something I wish I knew back then—to be more careful about who you share your written work with and how. It’s also important to decide where you want to publish your stories. Once you’ve posted it online or allowed it to be narrated, you often lose the chance for another publisher to show interest. Most publishers don’t want to publish something that’s already been circulated in numerous YouTube videos.

It’s always a lesson. I made a lot of friends along the way, or people who made promises to me that never came to fruition. Always get things in writing.

Always ensure you receive credit for your work, and don’t be afraid to ask for payment.

As a creator, you learn that it’s okay to make a living off your work. Many of us are shy about asking for money, even when it’s rightfully owed, such as in the case of royalties. I’ve been there too.

I’ve made friends and lost them too.  It’s hard to know who to trust when it’s all new.  Things happen. 

I don’t regret any of the lessons I’ve learned in my late return to writing.

I think it’s important to embrace them—learn all you can!

I’m still learning.

I taught myself graphic design to save costs on self-publishing artwork. I’ve also invested in it.

I’m still working to ensure I eliminate plot holes, dot my I’s, and cross my T’s.

I’ve moved past most of the challenges. I’ve made new friends since those early days of my writing journey. I’ve witnessed the rise and fall of YouTube storytelling. There’s still a place for it, but for me, I now have my own channel where I narrate my own stories. It’s a fun way to share my stories and connect with readers in a unique way. They get to hear my stories told the way I intended them to be told.

I don’t have any ill feelings towards the YouTube scene at all. I believe it’s a great way for people to discover your stories. However, I do think a bit of caution is necessary. Too many people narrating your stories can lead to oversaturation.

It’s important to be yourself. I know people say that all the time, but in the case of writing, I find it to be true. Tell your stories the way you intended them to be told. It’s another valuable lesson I’ve learned.

Lastly, take a chance. I don’t regret getting back into writing. I was 37, and now I’m on the verge of turning 45.

Don’t be afraid to self-publish, create a website, or share your story links on social media. If there’s one significant thing I’ve learned, and it’s the hardest lesson—it’s that your audience will find you when the time is right.

You still have time.

KB