The target readers for this collection were people over 65, nearing 65 and their children and friends. It was to begin a dialogue on what aging was about for one woman and could this be a kind of universal thinking?
Jane Seskin – 8 September 2024
The Back Flap
OWS is an intimate collection of 89 poems from Jane Seskin, a working psychotherapist and author. Seskin, authentic, funny, insightful, quirky and heartfelt, acknowledges the disappointments, physical vulnerability and emotional loss taking place in her senior years. She is able to discover within herself a solid sense of power, resilience and new-found joys through her struggles to acknowledge, accommodate and accept her aging. Seskin’s ability to make the very personal universal, will resonate with readers seeking to discover new ways to honor the past, celebrate the present and welcome the future. A Reading Guide to the poems will inspire further reflection and discussion for book and women’s groups.
About the book
What is the book about?
The book Older Wiser Shorter: The Truth and Humor of Life After 65 is a poetry collection of one woman’s effort to witness her aging life. She describes the good, the bad, the ugly – what we don’t talk about when we talk about aging!
When did you start writing the book?
I started writing poems about my aging experiences in 2016.
How long did it take you to write it?
Years. And I’m still writing it.
Where did you get the idea from?
I think one instigator was the result of an annual checkup where I measured 2 ½ inches shorter than what I assumed (The poem Question, pg. 66). I was puzzled by this news and tried to think about what else was changing in my life due to growing older.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
As a psychotherapist I am usually trying to understand my life struggles. The poeming is a great way to work through my thoughts on paper.
What came easily?
There were thoughts that flowed through me and I captured quite readily in poem format. Optimistic: Last week/I ordered/one thousand sheets/of personalized/ note paper. In addition, there are Vows in the book which close each chapter. They are the commitments I make to myself for change.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
This is a work of non-fiction.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I love to read, both non-fiction and fiction. I love mystery writers Harlan Coben, David Baldacci, Charles Salzberg, Louise Penny. They take me out of my life for a period of time so I can return refreshed to my own work. I’ve been influenced by poets Mary Oliver and Billy Collins to name just two. These writers have looked closely at their environments and write observations about their worlds with beauty and specificity.
Do you have a target reader?
The target readers for this collection were people over 65, nearing 65 and their children and friends. It was to begin a dialogue on what aging was about for one woman and could this be a kind of universal thinking? Could we all learn how to do aging easier and better?
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I don’t write every day at a specific time. I write a line here, a word there. And when I feel I can describe an experience, I’ll sit down and try to write the poem line by line. It usually takes a couple of days to wrestle it into shape. And then I’ll read it out loud. Many times. I’ll put it away in a folder and come back to it. This process gets repeated until I think it’s finished.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
No outline. I keep a running list of random phrases/words that I may wish to use in a future poem.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Both.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
I’ve been listening to The Vitamin String Quartet and Keith Jarrett concerts at Carnegie Hall.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Yes. One I’ve worked with before. I think agents have a difficult time accepting poetry submissions because they know it’s a hard sell to editors at major houses. We don’t yet think of poetry as popular as fiction or other genres.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
My first poetry book Living Single was published in 1974 by Price/Stern/Sloan publishers. Over the years they published 2 other books of mine and now 40 years later they published the revised Older Wiser Shorter under their Tallfellow Press imprint. How cool is that to return to the beginning!
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
The cover of this new book was professionally designed.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
My publisher encouraged me to work with a public relations firm. She and I interviewed 3 firms and chose the one who planned this book’s campaign. It’s been an interesting experience. I had my own ideas coming into this project and was able to contribute that information.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Do your homework. Check out your options. Speak to other authors who’ve gone through the process. Don’t rush. Allow yourself the time to create your best product. Have a group of “first readers” who will tell you honestly how the work is progressing and give notes for you to consider. Use professional editors to fine tune your work. And then when you’re ready, take a deep breath and DO IT!
About You
What would you like readers to know about you?
I would like readers to know I am grateful to have experience with both traditional and self-publishing.
What are you working on now?
I’m busy discussing the ideas in Older Wiser Shorter and making notes for another poetry collection.
End of Interview:
Get your copy of Older, Wiser, Shorter from Amazon US or Amazon UK.