Roberts has a passion for the written word

While many seniors utilize their retirement years as a time to bask in the relaxing glow of the golden years, Elizabeth Roberts ascertains that for her it was the perfect time for a career change into the field of writing.

“I took my first journalism class in junior college when I was 64 years old,” said Roberts. “I took all the journalism courses that I could take.”

Soaking up all the journalism techniques she could, Roberts also performed editing duties for the features column at her Illinois Central College newspaper. “I was fortunate enough to win one of the top state awards for an article I wrote on the first black American to serve on the college school board,” she said.

Writing, for the most part, came naturally to Roberts. A large part of this might have to do with Roberts’ zeal for reading. Her grandmother, Roberts explained, tutored her in reading the summer before she began second grade.

With a library card in her hand, Roberts became an avid reader at a young age. “I went to the library every week to get books, and I still do that,” she said. “I read an average of five to six books a week.”

Roberts can typically be found reading mysteries and, on occasion, a good historical novel.

“I have been known to stand in line at the bank and read,” she said with a wide smile.

Roberts would rather be reading than watching a television show. That is, unless the show playing on the tube happens to be “American Idol.”

“I am addicted to ‘American Idol,’ and now that it’s over, I probably won’t turn my television on until they start again,” she said, “To me, television is the biggest time waster ever invented.”

Though she has pondered writing a book of her own, Roberts has focused on helping many others polish their manuscripts. To date, Roberts has assisted authors in 20 published works. She was 65 when she was hired to edit her first manuscript.

“I get a manuscript ready for publication or for literary agent submission,” she said.

These days, Roberts is helping writers with memoirs. “I do a combination of memoirs and genealogy charts.” In these memoirs, photos also decorate some of the pages.

As if editing wasn’t enough, Roberts is also a dedicated writing coach. “I pull out what writers are trying to tell their readers and help them make it exciting,” she said.

From start to finish, Roberts is pleased to help a writer become manuscript ready.

Although she is a stellar writing coach, Roberts encourages people to take a writing course or attend a workshop. “It won’t hurt,” she explained. “The constructive criticism you get is always helpful.”

While hard at work in the manuscript department, Roberts has also been hired as a consultant at Hilltop Spiritual Center, where she helps with newsletters and is in charge of meeting minutes.

“Even though I get Social Security, I am definitely not retiring,” she said, laughing.

Roberts finds her passion in the written word and continues to learn much in her reading endeavors. Her ardor for reading is nothing short of contagious.

“Reading always takes you to new places and new adventures,” she affirmed.

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