WRITING A BOOK
A blog by Len Kleeman
"I should write a book about that" is a phrase used by many people as they think about or talk about their life experiences. It is probably the most common exclamation put forward after a memorable event. Not many people carry out that proposal for a multitude of reasons. Foremost is the fact that they can't write a proper sentence, let alone a book full of them. It seems that the people who use that phrase the most are the ones who are the least capable of accomplishing it. As Jimmy Durante was fond of saying, "Everyone wants to get into the act." Very few do anything about it. Some try but only a handful ever succeed (with a very small hand).
I was one of the very fortunate souls. With a Bachelor of Science degree in English and mathematics (a horrible combination) my first two books were published by Prentice-Hall without an agent and with very little marketing by me. But, that was many years ago and I was in my prime and teaching math in a high school for a short time and a course at Temple University for over twenty years. I never got on anyone's Best Seller List nor did I make much money from the books. But, I was a bona-fide author.
For many years thereafter I did not write any books. I wrote several articles and technical papers and even wrote a small booklet for a bank. I was busy making a living and taking in life's experiences with a multitude of differing careers. My life was rich with family affairs, learning opportunities, interesting occupations, and many good friends and co-workers. I did well financially but wealthy riches avoided me. At the appropriate age I retired from a successful business. Everyone said, "You should write a book."
Now, after 18 years of retirement I do have two books in the works. One is about life in a Retirement Community (55 plus) and one, which I am just about finished, is about my father who had an interesting, adventurous but frustrating life. Writing a book is hard work and takes much time. It takes devotion, research, knowledge and tremendous effort. And, the chances of being published are almost nil. But it keeps me busy and exercises my mind, which at my age is good. It is a wonderful hobby that will probably have no financial consequences. But, they said I should write a book, and I did. That's more than most people can say.