The timeless advice attributed to literary titan Mark Twain, "write what you know," continues to resonate profoundly, particularly within academic circles and among those transitioning into retirement. This principle, which posits that firsthand experience imbues writing with authenticity and depth, serves as a powerful catalyst for intellectual engagement and creative output long after a formal career concludes. The success of authors like Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield with his space-thriller The Apollo Murders and Michael Crichton, a Harvard-educated physician, with his groundbreaking techno-thriller The Andromeda Strain, exemplifies how specialized knowledge can be transformed into compelling narratives for a broad audience.
For many retirees, particularly those with extensive careers in academia, the post-career phase presents a unique opportunity to leverage accumulated expertise. The structured environment of university or college life, with its emphasis on research, critical thinking, and specialized knowledge, equips professors with a rich reservoir of information and unique perspectives. This trove of knowledge, when properly distilled and presented, can be of significant interest to a wider public, offering insights that are both informative and engaging. The intrinsic satisfaction derived from sharing this hard-won wisdom, coupled with a potential creative spark, can lead to immensely rewarding literary endeavors.
From Rafting to Neurology: A Personal Journey in Publishing
The journey of Werner J. Becker, a professor emeritus in clinical neurosciences and medicine at the University of Calgary and a past president of the University of Calgary Retirees Association, illustrates this principle vividly. Following his retirement, Becker initially turned to a lifelong passion: river rafting in Canada’s north. His initial foray into publishing, with two books on his experiences, Rafting the Great Northern Rivers and Rafting the Snake, adhered to Twain’s dictum of writing from personal knowledge. However, despite the authenticity of his experiences, the lack of specialized expertise in the publishing industry led to initial rejections. This led him to self-publish through Friesen Press, a common route for authors seeking to bring their work to market independently.
This initial publishing experience, while educational, prompted a strategic shift. Becker decided to delve even deeper into the core of his professional identity. For decades, he had dedicated his career to neurology and headache medicine, engaging with thousands of individuals to alleviate their suffering from migraines and other headache disorders. Recognizing the immense value of this accumulated clinical knowledge, he embarked on writing The Headache Files. This time, the approach proved successful. Durvile & UpRoute, a recognized Canadian publisher, not only accepted the manuscript but had previously advised Becker to "write what you know" when a different submission was rejected, specifically suggesting a book on headaches. This endorsement underscores the industry’s recognition of specialized knowledge as a marketable asset.
The Two Paths of Academic Publishing: Scholarly vs. Public
For retired university or college professors, the decision of whom to write for presents a critical juncture. Two primary avenues emerge: scholarly publishing and public-facing writing.
The Scholarly Route: Deep Dives for Specialized Audiences
For those who wish to continue engaging with their academic peers, the scholarly route offers established pathways. Publishers such as Cambridge Scholars Publishing and Elsevier cater to a highly specialized audience. These books are typically characterized by rigorous research, in-depth analysis, and a specialized vocabulary, designed to advance discourse within specific academic disciplines. While the audience for such works is generally erudite, it is often limited in scope. The primary benefit of this path lies in its potential to contribute directly to the ongoing academic conversation, solidifying a scholar’s legacy within their field.
Key Characteristics of Scholarly Publications:
- Target Audience: Academics, researchers, graduate students, and specialists within a particular field.
- Content Focus: Advanced research, theoretical frameworks, specialized methodologies, and critical analysis.
- Publishing Partners: Academic presses, university presses, and specialized academic publishers.
- Impact: Contribution to scholarly knowledge, potential for citations and academic recognition.
- Challenges: Niche readership, longer publication cycles, and often rigorous peer-review processes.
The Public-Facing Approach: Bridging Expertise and Accessibility
Conversely, the path of writing for a broader public demands a different set of skills, requiring authors to translate complex concepts into accessible language. This route involves stepping outside the comfort zone of academic discourse and engaging with readers who may not possess specialized knowledge in the subject matter. The goal is to inform, educate, and perhaps even entertain a wider demographic.
Becker’s The Headache Files serves as a prime example of this public-facing strategy. His objective was to render the science behind headaches not only interesting but also comprehensible to non-health professionals. This involved integrating historical context, such as the opening chapter "Migraine Through the Ages," which traces the understanding of migraine from ancient Roman physicians like Galen to 17th-century English neurologist Thomas Willis. This historical perspective underscores the enduring nature of the condition, suggesting it has likely afflicted humanity since its inception.
Key Characteristics of Public-Facing Publications:
- Target Audience: General public, individuals with a casual interest in the subject, and those seeking practical information.
- Content Focus: Accessible explanations of complex topics, engaging narratives, practical advice, and relatable anecdotes.
- Publishing Partners: Trade publishers, independent presses, and self-publishing platforms.
- Impact: Public education, increased awareness of a topic, and potential for broader cultural influence.
- Challenges: Simplifying complex information without sacrificing accuracy, engaging a diverse readership, and marketing to a wider audience.
The Art of Making the Complex Accessible
The challenge in public-facing academic writing lies in striking a balance between depth and accessibility. It is entirely possible to delve into intricate subjects without alienating the general reader. The Headache Files, for instance, explores complex areas such as migraine genetics and even discusses "heroic treatments" like surgical interventions for heart defects or the implantation of electrodes on the occipital nerves for pain management.
Becker also employed narrative techniques to enhance readability. He incorporated elements of a thriller, particularly in a chapter titled "Headache in the Emergency Room," to create suspense and maintain reader engagement. Crucially, he recognized that personal stories and anecdotes are powerful tools for connecting with readers. By weaving in narratives from his patients and personal experiences, he ensured the book flowed engagingly, demonstrating that even in highly specialized fields, compelling stories can be found, regardless of one’s professional domain. The inclusion of such elements transforms potentially dry scientific information into a captivating read.
Data and Context: The Prevalence of Headache Disorders
To underscore the relevance and impact of Becker’s work on headaches, consider the following data:
- Global Prevalence: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that migraine affects approximately 1 in 7 people worldwide, and tension-type headaches are even more common, affecting up to 70% of adults globally.
- Economic Impact: Headache disorders are a significant cause of disability. The WHO reports that migraine is the leading cause of disability in people under 50 years of age. Lost productivity due to headaches costs economies billions of dollars annually. For example, studies in North America and Europe have estimated annual costs ranging from $50 billion to $100 billion due to lost workdays and reduced productivity.
- Historical Significance: The enduring nature of headache disorders, as highlighted by Becker’s "Migraine Through the Ages," is supported by archaeological evidence and ancient medical texts that describe symptoms consistent with severe headaches and migraines, dating back thousands of years. This historical depth adds a crucial layer of context to modern understanding.
The sheer prevalence and significant societal impact of headache disorders make The Headache Files a timely and valuable contribution. By demystifying the science and presenting it in an engaging manner, Becker addresses a widespread public health concern, offering both information and potential relief to a vast audience.
Implications for University Retiree Associations and the Broader Community
The current landscape of information dissemination, often characterized by a proliferation of misinformation, underscores the vital role of knowledgeable individuals, particularly retired academics. University retiree associations can play a pivotal role in encouraging and supporting their members in sharing their expertise. Documenting the history of societal development through the lens of academic disciplines and providing reliable, evidence-based information are critical functions in an era where discerning truth from falsehood is increasingly challenging.
Engaging in such endeavors requires dedication, time, and effort. However, the rewards are manifold, extending beyond personal satisfaction. It contributes to a university’s broader mission of community outreach and public education, fulfilling a vital societal role. By sharing their knowledge, retired professors not only enrich the intellectual landscape but also empower the public with the tools to understand complex issues and make informed decisions. The act of writing itself can be a deeply fulfilling process, offering a continued sense of purpose and intellectual engagement in retirement.
The legacy of "write what you know" is not merely about personal narrative; it is about the responsible and effective dissemination of knowledge. For retired academics, it represents an opportunity to translate a lifetime of learning into accessible, impactful contributions that benefit society at large, reinforcing the enduring value of intellectual pursuit beyond the confines of the classroom and laboratory. The potential for retired scholars to bridge the gap between specialized knowledge and public understanding is immense, offering a pathway to both personal fulfillment and significant societal benefit.
