Welcome to Midlife Without a Map.
In my first post, let me explain a little more about what to expect from me and my Substack and why I created it.
During my 25-year writing career, I have written about lots of different subjects. From bath taps to sports bras, javelin to irritable bowels, I have happily put words on the page for a variety of weird and wonderful publications. I’ve written news stories, features, marketing and PR copy, scripts and social media. I’ve edited magazines and, along the way, trained as a life coach and writing teacher.
My career has certainly been varied and, mostly, a lot of fun. But it has been restricting in what I can write and when.
Recently, I started wondering: what if I had the freedom to write whatever I wanted? What if I had an outlet for my writing, a place I could share my work, somewhere I could write memoir, essays, book reviews, interviews, pieces about life and loss and the highs and lows of being a woman in midlife? I’d love it!
Over the past two and a half decades, I have prioritised the day job over my writing. I had to; it paid the bills. Now, aged 44, I’m aiming to have a balance. Obviously, I still have bills to pay, but times and technology are changing. There are more opportunities for writers to make a living online from our words.
Substack is one of them.
Having been a reader and lurker on the platform for a while, I was excited to create my own publication. But then came the doubts and fears. Should I do it? Would anyone read it? Who’d be interested in what I had to say?
So, I thought about it and thought about it and thought about it some more. And then, a few Sundays ago, I sprang out of bed, grabbed my laptop and went for it.
Within no time at all, Midlife Without a Map was born. One of my books has the same title. It’s a title I love because it captures that feeling of being on a journey, but never being sure what twists and turns are coming your way. Despite all the best plans and intentions, midlife can often be messy. I want to capture the chaos and challenges and have some fun on the way.
If you have read any of my work before, you know that my writing is honest and relatable, and that I try my best to find the humour in everyday life. Readers have described my stories as ‘warm, witty and wonderful’.
After years of writing on demand for other people, I’m really excited to have the freedom of this new opportunity. I’m seeing it as the magazine that I always wanted to work on. I will share my memoir slice-of-life pieces and lots more. It’s a chance to experiment and see what happens.
Thank you so much for joining me. It’s great to have you here.
A little about me.
I’m Liz, a writer and life coach for creatives. I am from Barnsley in South Yorkshire, where I spent my childhood dreaming of becoming a writer. I love books and I can’t remember a time before I didn’t want to write.
I’m a trained journalist and have written for various publications including Stylist, Yorkshire Post, Athletics Weekly, Great North Run Magazine, Ultra Fit, British Runner, Mslexia, Writing Magazine, and more.
I’ve worked in the communications and marketing teams of national charities and have written for many types of organisations. I’ve also taught English and creative writing in schools and the community, including working with Crisis, the homeless charity.
I have published two collections of nonfiction stories: Cake, Anyone? Scenes from Everyday Life in Extraordinary Times, and Midlife Without a Map. Readers said Cake, Anyone? was a ‘hoot during the dark days of the pandemic’ and one review said I was ‘a fresh voice in comic writing’.
I live in Barnsley with my husband and our geriatric pets (two horses and Heathcliff the rabbit), and an ever-growing library of books. There’s nothing I like more than curling up with a good book, a brew, and a slice of cake. To balance the cake consumption, I run. I also love walking and spinning (on a bike going nowhere) and spending time with my amazing 11-year-old niece.