The Second Chapter

Rediscover Purpose Through Writing in Retirement

When Martha Stephens loses her husband, she’s left questioning who she is without the roles that once defined her. Struggling with grief and a strained relationship with her daughter, Martha’s journey takes an unexpected turn when she discovers writing as a tool for healing and transformation. The Second Chapter tells her story—and invites readers to start their own.

This two-part book blends a moving, relatable fable with a practical guide for aspiring writers in retirement. The first half follows Martha’s reinvention as she finds community, confidence, and meaning through writing. The second half offers clear, encouraging steps for those ready to explore their creative voice later in life. With real-life examples, thoughtful exercises, and expert insight, The Second Chapter is both inspiration and instruction.

Start your second chapter today—through the power of your own words.

Excerpt from the book

She glanced at her watch, cramming papers into her briefcase. The morning sun caught her wedding ring and put a natural spotlight on the couple’s everyday moments.

Lifting his gaze toward the flicker of light, Peter sensed that familiar warmth, taking him back, for a split second, to their first date.

She still had that broad, beautiful smile that always lit up the room. Every time she smiled, her big brown eyes smiled too. She couldn’t help it. She kept her hair the same just like the natural brunette she is, only now she had it softly pinned up all the time.

He wondered how she still looked so great after all this time, she even made her streak of graying hair look good. Imagining her with flowing loose hair like on that first date, he turned back to the morning paper with a satisfied smile.

Martha paused in her morning whirlwind, oblivious to the charming thoughts in her husband’s mind. She slipped around the kitchen table, planting a soft kiss on his forehead.

“You’ve hardly touched your breakfast, honey. The eggs okay?” She squeezed his shoulder, the same gentle reassurance he knew throughout their thirty-four years together.

“They’re perfect as always. Just how I like them, thanks,” his fork moving the fluffy scrambled-eggs around the plate.

As if to say ‘if you say so,’ with a soft “hmmm,” she traced his upper lip, as she wondered if his stomach was still upset from last night. He gave her finger on his lip a quick playful kiss, and then she headed out the door.

“What are you doing today, honey?”

“May tackle those flower beds, get ‘em ready for spring.” His days had stretched wide open since retiring two years ago, while Martha’s marketing career still ran full swing. But they had a great understanding, she would join him in retirement soon.

“See you before dinner time?” He smiled.

“Around six.” Martha paused at the door, her smile brightening the room.

“Love you.”

***

At the office, Martha leaned back in her ergonomic chair, staring at the proposal she held in her hand, giving it one more read before signing it off. The familiar hum of the office surrounded her—¬the tapping of keyboards, the soft whir of the copier, the occasional ping of an incoming email. She absently twisted a strand of her graying hair, her mind engaged in the task at hand.

A knock broke her concentration. “Come in,” she called, not taking her gaze off the page.

Jackson, her business partner, poked his head in. Jackson is a gentle giant, with a full face and warm features on his bronze skin, “Martha, there’s a call for you on line one.”

“It’s St. Francis.”

Martha looked up and met Jackson’s eyes, a mirror of her own, full of concern. Why would the hospital be calling her? She reached for the phone with a trembling hand.

“Hello? This is Martha Stephens,” her voice steady despite the sudden knot in her stomach.