An elderly author recently asked me how retired authors can make the most of the time they have left. It’s an insightful question, and the truth is, we all need to be asking that question because we are all going to die. It’s the ultimate statistic: 10 out of 10 people die.  Any of us could die at any time. Some people who think they will die soon live on for decades. Others who think they will live forever leave this Earth all too soon. Making the most of your time isn’t just for retired authors. It’s for everyone who wants to make the most of their writing time before they die.  How do you make the most of your final years as an author? I started working with authors when I was in college. For a long time, I was the youngest person at all the writers conferences. Now that my hair has started greying, I realize I’m rarely the youngest person in the room.  Over the years, I’ve worked with authors of all ages, and I have learned by watching successful, older authors. “I’m too old to write.” First, let’s address the common objection that “I’m too old to write.” Frankly, it’s not true and only serves as an excuse to get out of writing.  Early in my career, I taught a week-long class on writing and marketing. Throughout the week, the students built websites and started blogs. One of my students was an 86-year-old WWII vet. The 30 and 40-year-olds were rolling along, but the 60-year-olds were whining about how hard the technology was. Meanwhile, the WWII vet was quietly blazing ahead.  By the end of the class, he had made more progress than some of the 60-something authors because he wasn’t afraid. What is a new blog compared to the Nazis? He knew the only thing between him and success was hard work, so he didn’t make excuses or complain. He had what his generation would have called grit.    I had a lot of respect for that man. Seeing his work ethic made it obvious why we won the war.  Are you too old to write? No. You can write if you are willing to put in the work. The rules don’t change just because you are older.  Advantages of Age In fact, with age comes several writing advantages.  Wealth According to the United States Federal Reserve, in 2016, the wealthiest age group in America was over the age of 75. According to the Fed, the average 75-year-old had a net worth of $1.1 million. The median net worth of the same age group was $281,600. The next wealthiest age group was between 65 and 74, followed by those 55 to 65.  The data reports that people get wealthier as they age. Their homes appreciate. They pay off mortgages and put money in savings.  The younger someone is, the poorer they tend to be. My toddlers, for example, feel rich if they have paper money rather than just coins. According to the Fed, people under the age of 35 had a median net worth of just $12,000. Most people over the age of 65 are what economists would define as “independently wealthy.” An independently wealthy person’s passive income exceeds their passive expenses. Or put another way, an independently wealthy person doesn’t need to work a day job to cover their bills. The more common term for this situation is “retired.