How to Start Creative Writing in Retirement

How to Start Creative Writing in Retirement

Writing can be a great hobby to pick up in retirement. Maybe you’ve had an idea for a TV show for a long time, or you’ve always wanted to try writing a novel. Now can be a great time to start!

The most important rule for writing is to just do it. This may seem like an obvious rule, but with writing (and any art really) the most important thing is sitting down and actually doing it. Most people like to daydream about becoming good at writing, but if you never write, you will never get anything done! And now that you have the time to do it, you can really dive in.

Related to this point: don’t wait for inspiration. There is an idea in our culture that to create something you need to be inspired–you need to be the kind of person who gets hit with an idea so good and important that you spend the next two months writing an entire novel without stopping. But this isn’t really true. Sitting around waiting to be struck by inspiration is another great way to never write anything. Instead of waiting for some great idea to hit you, just sit down and start with anything. The quality of your ideas doesn’t matter nearly as much as the fact that you are actually writing.

Once you sit down and start working, there are some important things to keep in mind. Firstly, include as much sensory detail as possible. It is the sensory details that will help transport you into the world of the story. If you’re writing a story about baking: what were the smells in the kitchen? If you’re writing a story about a haunted house: what kinds of sounds does the house make at night? Really focusing on those sensory details will help your readers feel like they’re there with the characters.

Another thing you’ll want to do is avoid summary. Beginning writers tend to summarize everything. They skip important moments and move too quickly through major events. Slow down. Take time to describe what is happening and what it looks like. Describe each action that happens. This will help your reader see what you see when you picture the events in your story.

You need time, mental energy, and financial stability to become a novice in this activity. Don’t waste these things worrying about every single aspect of your financial situation. Sign up for a complimentary review of your retirement plan with us at to take one step closer to achieving the enriching lifestyle you deserve.