The Right Time to Write a Book

I was asked by an existing client to meet one of his aunts who has handwritten a book and would like to publish it. I spoke to the lady, and she invited me to meet her at her Powai residence. Turned out she is 83 years old, a MA Gold Medalist in Economics, once a Professor and a Principal, and someone who has in her prime years done a lot of academic writing and publishing.

She resided in a penthouse in the finest locality of Powai. The elderly couple stayed alone, and their children are based out of India. The lady's steps were nimble, but her mind and memory very crisp and her mannerisms humble. We spent two hours in a breeze, conversing and yet had so much to say.

All through, I was not aware that I am being assessed. When she learnt I have written four books on short stories, she told me you should tell me one of your stories. I told her one from my 2nd book, 'Being in Love'. She enjoyed it. And then, she asked me to narrate another story and this time I told her my story, "You are not Cinderella". She was amazed by the crispness of my stories their appealing titles and the emotional backdrop. That's when she was convinced, I can do her work.

She told me her book is about her emotional and rational experiences. Many anecdotes and learnings from them that she wants to see them publish in a book and leave a legacy for her grandchildren.

She told me about a few anecdotes she wishes to cover in the book and even cried over one. She mentioned a couple of ironies in her life and how life is about adjusting. She taught me; life is all about accepting the unexpected.

Where I saw that she was emotional and compassionate, she was also a thorough professional who flawlessly evaluated my work and cleared her doubts.

I told her of my aspiration of writing at least 50 books, and I am almost completing 20. To which she said, You have a long time.

When we spoke about her book and completion deadline, I told her I would need at least three months, to which she expressed matter of factly, I am at a phase in life where time is not on my side. I don't know if I even have three months.

Thinking about her comment on my milestone that, you have a long time, and her predicament of not having time, I thought, who decides who has time in life. No one can predict that. But, if you are brimming with ideas write. If you want to share your interesting journey, write. If you think you can impact people, write!

She has been a lucky lady to have lived a good life, double my age, all hale and hearty. She has decided to publish her experiences that she has penned down all these years. It’s never late!

I have written a memoir for a 20 yr. old girl, my youngest client and now this octogenarian is the senior most person I have met who wants to write a book.

I think whenever you decide to do something, is the right time. Make things happen, and remember, age is just a number.

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