Writing teachers often advise students to write about what they know, and in Linda Wegner’s case, the successful Powell River writer took that advice to heart.
Wegner has released her fourth book called, 3D Success: Changing Careers in Mid Life, a book which attempts to bridge the gap for the increasing numbers of baby boomers who are changing careers.
“It chronicles my journey of starting my own business,” said Wegner. There weren’t a lot of books about career change, specifically for middle-aged people, she said.
“But this kind of change is becoming the norm.”
At 57 years old, Wegner, a Saskatchewan pastor’s wife, found the circumstances of her life changed and was forced to shoulder the financial burden of supporting her family.
“I took a couple of days to feel sorry for myself, then I got busy,” she said.
Wegner had been writing for rural newspapers more as a hobby than for the money, but when she needed a steady paycheque the first thing she did was contact all the editors and publishers she could. To this day she still has a newspaper column in four or five newspapers in rural Saskatchewan.
Wegner was able to take her love for words, both written and spoken, and turn them into a new career. She started her own company as a freelance writer and motivational speaker called Words of Worth. She aimed to help improve the lives of farmers facing tough times.
“There are no farmers left in Saskatchewan,” she said, “only managers.”
Precision farming had replaced the traditional farm with its half-a-million dollar GPS-enabled tractors working spreads of 10,000 acres, she said. There’s no room left for the family farm. Wegner said this change has had profound social effects on farming communities with increases in domestic abuse, alcoholism and suicide.
She also started researching and analyzing information for an investment company. In 2003 she moved to Powell River.
Wegner’s new book offers readers the lessons she had to learn the hard way and tips about setting up a business, networking and building a client base.
“I’ve made mistakes and fallen on my face, but I’m up front about those because it’s all a learning process,” she said. “Maintaining your personal integrity is key.”
The idea for the book came out of some workshops Wegner has given for Career Link about changing careers in mid-life.
“People who are between the ages of 45 and 64 are usually in the position of having a well-padded resumé and it only seems logical that employers would value this kind of experience,” she said, “but there are tons of people out there who are more tech-savvy and who are willing to come in at entry-level pay. I found myself in this middle-age unemployment bulge and for me it boiled down to starting my own business.”
Wegner will host a book launch, with a reading from her book and short talk, from 7 to 8:30 pm on Thursday, November 1 at Breakwater Books and Coffee on Alberni Street.
