Norton S. Beckerman
You might say that I started a new career rather late in life. Actually I’ve started two new career’s rather late in life. It was my first, new career that led to my second, new career.
Sounds strange, but a series of happenings forced me to give up what I was doing. An illness shattered my memory and then I lost my ability to talk. Both cognitive skills. Pretty scary. It got even scarier when I was told I had an incurable disorder, possibly manageable, emanating from my brain. It wasn’t manageable.
The only thing left open to me was to start studying the brain in an effort to, at least, understand what was happening to me. That was in 2002.
My timing was great because new technology and research had completely changed the Neuroscience community’s understanding of the human brain, and the role it played in human life. That new understanding told me that I could talk again and regain my memory. It took me 2 1/2 years and a change in life style but I did it.
I began my re-entry into society by teaching Sudoku at a community center. It quickly became apparent that when people got to be around the age of 50 they became concerned about memory loss, cognitive decline and possibly dementia. They believed that aging caused cognitive decline, and that only senior adults need to be concerned about cognitive health.
I knew that was a myth because of what I had learned, and I knew that I had to share what I had learned. I had to do whatever I could to help put an end to the myths about the brain that had controlled peoples lives and instilled fear in them when they got older.
That led me into teaching, writing and speaking about regaining and maintaining a healthy, effectively functioning brain. Until recently I was the Brain Health Coach on cable TV. I’ve been a speaker on TEDx. I set-up an informational website www.ybhc.info, and I wrote “A User’s Guide to a Healthy Brain”.
“A User’s Guide to a Healthy Brain” is an easy read and an excellent reference book for those interested in maintaining a healthy, effectively functioning brain. It was also what led to “VIRUS a science fiction thriller” and my second career which is writing fiction
I started writing “VIRUS …” as a serialized story that I could put up on my website. I’m constantly occupied reading or writing about brain science. But I’ve been an avid reader of fiction all my life. I wanted to write a story for my website that would incorporate my knowledge of science and my love for fiction.
I joined a writer’s group in 2011 and that’s what led to “VIRUS …”. They were the ones that suggested I write “VIRUS …” as a novel. When I completed my first manuscript they told me that they really liked my story, but that it was written as a science writer. I had to learn to write fiction.
It only took six years, a supportive writer’s group, seven manuscripts, several beta readers and a very patient editor before “VIRUS a science fiction thriller” was born.
AN INTERVIEW WITH NORT
What prompted you to write a novel? I didn’t start out to write a novel. It just happened to work out that way. I’m a romantic and storyteller by nature. I loved it when my grandfather and father told me stories they were making up as they went along. I’ve always admired that ability. I thought writing a serialized story for my website would be a hoot for me and entertaining to my visitors.
When I joined the writer’s group In 2011 things changed for me. When you belong to a writer’s group you’re expected to write and read while they listen and critique. It didn’t take long before they started telling me that they liked the premise of my story, but I was writing it like a science writer. I needed to learn how to write fiction.
Writing fiction involves creating a plausible, exciting and absorbing story. Just like the stories my grandfather and father told me when I was a small boy. It all started out innocently enough. I was enjoying telling the story. The more I wrote the more the group encouraged me to write. Eventually, they suggested turning my work into a novel. Along the way I was honing my skills as a fiction writer and loving it. Six years and seven manuscripts later “VIRUS, a science fiction thriller” was born”.
What do you find to be the greatest joy of writing? Creating the story. My characters come alive and I chronicle their activities. They exist in a different reality. I’m telling their story. It’s exciting, fulfilling and provides a tremendous feeling of accomplishment. I’m a storyteller and I want the world to read my story.
What do your fans mean to you? I don’t consider my reader’s to be fans even if they really enjoy my stories. As a writer of fiction I’m an entertainer. My readers are my audience and my critics. Since a reader can choose to stop reading your story at any time, you have to hold their interest. You have to provide a story that pushes your reader on to the next page and the next chapter. Then you have to reward their patience and persistence with a really good ending.
Do you plan to continue writing? Yes, I love writing. I love story telling. I’ve started writing a sequel to VIRUS and I’ve written a short story entitled “Dad!”.
If you would like to read “Dad!” Fill out the contact information below and I’ll send you a PDF file.
To READ the first two chapters of “VIRUS …” click HERE
To PURCHASE a signed copy of “VIRUS a science fiction thriller” click HERE.
To PURCHASE “A User’s Guide to a Healthy Brain” click HERE
To READ the first two chapters of “A User’s Guide to a Healthy Brain” click HERE.