Once upon a time, I was a 20-year old journalism student with big dreams of becoming a war correspondent and a belief that one day, I’d change the world.
Life felt wide open and anything was possible. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. We had dreams of cracking big stories, being radio correspondents or producers, magazine writers, photographers and authors. We wanted to make our mark.
The careers came, the big jobs, the tedious jobs, then kids, responsibilities. Of that class of nearly 100, many did become traditional journalists with starry careers. Others, like me, meandered a bit, forging careers that took us away from traditional journalism into public relations, marketing and law.
Now in my 50s, I look back to those ambitious young people in their 20s who had everything in front of them - where did we go?
Those years in between went by so fast. And something interesting is happening.
Now, in our 50s, I wondered, is it too late to change the world?
One of my former classmates, Katherine Ward, the author of Another Glass of Tea, would tell you: Absolutely not.
Katherine has published not one, but two fiction books, with another in the works.
“I always thought writing a book was something I’d do ‘one day.’ Then one day, I realized I had to make it happen now, or it might never happen at all,” Katherine says. Her novel—a story of resilience, reinvention, and the beautiful messiness of life—was born from years of dreaming about it but never quite starting.
Midlife isn’t the end of the story. It’s the perfect time to start writing it.
Here are some of the highlights of our talk.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Writing
Self-doubt is a sneaky little thing. It whispers: Who do you think you are? Who’s going to read what you write?
Katherine knows that feeling all too well. “I spent years telling myself that real writers had MFAs or that getting published was for people with industry connections. But that’s just fear talking. Storytelling is for everyone. Once I stopped waiting for permission and just started writing, everything changed.”
The truth is, we don’t need anyone’s approval to tell our stories. And with so many ways to get our words out into the world—self-publishing, Substack, blogs, online communities—the only real obstacle is that little voice in our heads telling us we can’t.
Why Women Over 50 Should Be Writing Their Stories
Here’s the thing: life experience makes us better storytellers. We’ve loved, lost, learned, failed, and picked ourselves back up again. There’s depth in our words because we’ve lived them.
“I couldn’t have written Another Glass of Tea in my 30s,” Katherine admits. “It took living through some heartbreak, joy, and a whole lot of ‘what now?’ moments to shape the story.”
Readers crave authenticity, and no one does authenticity better than women who have lived enough life to know who they really are. Whether it’s fiction infused with real-life lessons or a memoir capturing personal triumphs, midlife writers have something truly special to offer.
Where to Start: Turning the Dream into Reality
If the idea of writing feels overwhelming, Katherine suggests starting small.
“Write a journal entry. A letter to yourself. A memory that sticks with you. Writing doesn’t have to start with a book—it starts with a habit.”
A few simple ways to get going:
Find your story. What moments, lessons, or themes keep coming back to you?
Set a writing routine. Even 15 minutes a day adds up.
Join a community. Writing groups, workshops, or even a trusted friend can keep you motivated.
Give yourself permission to be a writer. You don’t need a fancy title or a book deal to start. You just need to write.
Getting Your Work Out There: The Reality of Publishing
Writing a book is one thing. Getting people to read it? That’s where building your personal brand starts. Many new authors don’t realise just how much marketing goes into publishing.
Katherine had to learn fast. “I had to figure out social media, book launches, and how to actually get my book into readers’ hands. Writing was just the beginning—the real challenge was sharing it.”
For indie authors, success often comes from:
Building an audience before publishing. Start sharing your words and ideas early.
Investing in professional editing and design. A polished book stands out.
Leaning on your personal network. Friends, family, and colleagues can be your biggest champions.
Final Thoughts: Your Story Matters
If there’s one thing Katherine wants you to know, it’s this: It’s never too late to write your story.
“We have decades of wisdom, love, and adventure behind us. Why not put it on paper? Writing isn’t just about publishing—it’s about capturing what matters.”
So, what’s the story only you can tell?
Book Pick: Katherine is reading Strength to Strength, by Arthur C. Brooks which is explores all those questions we grapple with in midlife - where do we go from here? How do I find the courage to make changes?
Katherine Ward is the author of two women’s fiction novels: Another Glass of Tea and Skipping Stones. Katherine was twelve years old when she won her first writing competition, submitting a story about Christmas traditions to her father’s company employee publication. From then onward, she was constantly writing stories and scribbling down ideas in a notebook.
An school exchange year in Istanbul in the mid 1980s saw Katherine sending columns back to her local newspaper, The Sarnia Observer chronicling her experiences. She went on to earn a degree in Journalism from Carleton University in Ottawa and enjoyed a successful 30-year career in corporate communications before turning her attention to writing novels. Katherine lives in Ontario, and has three grown children. When she’s not gardening or belting out show tunes in the privacy of her own home, Katherine loves to hike and travel. She has a few thousand words written on her third novel, and is aiming to release it in 2026.
You can find Katherine on her author website, Instagram, Facebook and right here on Substack.
