The Value of Writing for Senior-Citizen Writers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20360/G27W2CKeywords:
Writing, Life-Writing, Public Library Writing Programs, Senior CitizensAbstract
This qualitative case study explores writing and writing motivations of senior citizens age 65-93 who had entered a public library Writing Challenge. The research questions focused on how and why writing was important to this group as well as what patterns and themes emerged in their work. Data from questionnaires offered that the social aspect of writing appeared to be the strongest motivating factor for participation. Numerous individual reasons for writing were listed, and these, as well as the unique ideas presented in excerpts from the work itself, created a resonant picture of writing in participants’ lives. The resulting anthology contained a predominance of non-fiction, including life writing components within fictive pieces, utilizing the expressive function. Key themes included identity, olden days, progress, humour, nature, religion, and the love of family. Implications involve the importance of community writing events for writers who may not have other means of developing individual writing networks. Further research is recommended related to seniors and literacy to add to what is currently a limited academic viewpoint regarding this population.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).