As they enter midlife, women may lose touch with their enthusiasm for life. They might also have dreams they still want to fulfil. This series of interviews with authors aged 50+ aims to inspire these women to make their next years their best years!

Welcome Susan,

Q: Where do you hail from?

Atlanta, GA

Q: What one thing do you like most about where you live?

The wonderful green space, parks, trees and proximity to the mountains.

Q: List no more than 5 words to describe yourself.

Positive, Self-aware, Fun, Generous.

Q: At what age did you start writing?

I have been writing for business or professional purposes since college. I began writing on a personal level in my 50’s.

Q: What is the title of your book and what inspired you to write it?

My book is A Practical Guide to Awareness, along with its companion workbook, Putting Awareness into Practice. I was inspired to write while on a retreat in Glastonbury, where I began the process. Through the process of Conscious Writing I accessed the entire book, outline, and wrapped it up in 6 weeks.

Q: What influenced you to write about your life?

Conscious Writing really opened up a level of creative consciousness that was unknown to me previously. I had been on a self-awareness journey for about 30 years, and everything became clear as soon as I was initiated into the conscious writing process. With conscious writing, you write what you are meant to write, and it leads to a way of life that allows for conscious living. As I was in Glastonbury and I was spiritually and creatively inspired, I felt a new life unfold during the process. Along with the people I met there, who also changed my life. It was like an extremely meaningful reunion.

Q: How do you wish to inspire others with your writing?

I wish to help others to find their voice, and their unique gift through self-awareness discovery. Self-awareness is the key to finding happiness. It is due to self-awareness that one allows self-love and through that, your purpose becomes clear.

Q: Do you feel your writing nature changed after you turned 50? If so, how?

Yes, it entirely changed from a business writing focus to writing personally for joy and pleasure. I began writing poetry as inspiration, alongside the books. I find inspiration for my writing through nature and being in nature.

susan nefzger

Q: What impact do you think your book(s) will have on women aged over 50?

My books aim to guide women to understand that anything is possible, and your life is not set in stone after age 50. My entire life changed! I got divorced, I moved to another state, which is where I now reside. I can’t say it was all easy, but with the motivation of knowing my purpose, through writing the books, I was determined to continue to help others become self-aware in order to learn their purpose.

Q: How do you motivate yourself at age 50+?

I think I have always been self-motivated, I set goals, and I receive inspiration through my spirituality and writing. That is how I received the stimulus to write my new book, A Practical Guide to Living Fearlessly.

Q: Do you believe you are living the life you have always wanted?

Yes, I do believe it, but I don’t think I ever could have predicted it. I knew I always wanted to write a book, but at first, I never pursued it or paid attention to the inkling.

Q: How has your writing affected your quality of life?

Writing is an enrichment of our daily lives, as we tap into our creative consciousness, we tap into another realm of existence that is rich and fulfilling. That fulfillment has to do with accessing another way of living which creates joy through seeing life through a different lens.

Q: Which book or author has most helped you change your life at the age of 50+?

As an avid reader my entire life, there are lots of authors who have led me to my understanding of my gift. But none more than Julia McCutchen who is the creator of the Conscious Writing process. At her retreat in England my path to authorship opened up. Obviously, this sequence of events was part of my path. I listened to the inner voice that told me to attend the retreat in England from the U.S. That is being self aware. We must listen to our hearts. I was inspired by Paramahansa Yogananda founder of The Self Realization Fellowship and I continue to follow and read Deepak Chopra and other spiritual teachers and writers.

Q: What piece of advice do you have for other women over the age of 50 that could help them live the rest of their lives in the best way possible?

My only advice is to become self-aware in order to love yourself. This is most important so you can develop your gifts or other passions in life to live freely and with purpose.

Q: Please share an inspiring or motivational excerpt from your current book.

“A new life begins once we shed the old life. You may be wondering what that means. Dear Reader, within each of us lies a gift, a treasure that was buried when your soul transcended into the tiny creature you were born as. Musings, daydreams and feelings, guide us as children on a path toward our passion. When you were a child, you may have said to yourself, “I want to be ______ when I grow up.” This is your true self-perception. As adults we lose that sense of listening to our passionate heart. That is where your treasure is buried, within your heart and soul.”

Q: What can we expect from you in the future?

Right now, I am working on my new book, A Practical Guide to Living Fearlessly. Last July, I was inspired to write about how I got through tough times and created an outline and readied my writing journal. With everything going on now in the world, I began writing it in April of this year. It offers a way to rise above fear in ways that apply to daily life, but through a method of spirituality and conscious living. I am still creating it and will be finished soon.

Q: What advice would you give to other women who are thinking of writing a book at age 50+?

My advice is to do what makes you happy. If it drives you with a burning motivation, then follow the inspiration!

Q: How can we contact you or find out more about your books?

My creative writing site is here, which contains a book page with my books, daily inspirations, poetry and my photography. You may go there to learn more about me and purchase books.

 

This series of Q and A with female authors aged 50 and above, helps us understand how they use their books to help change lives and motivate other women above 50 to live a life they love. If you, or someone you know, would like to participate, please contact me. You can also sign up for occasional updates.