Interview

William “Bill” Myers

Writer since 1982, trainer, convention speaker, software developer, behaves like Bugs Bunny and a cat, retired.

Who are you?

I am a mature, well senior, man, with experience as a trainer, programmer, software developer, public speaker, and writer.

After graduating from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, I worked for several companies in Indianapolis, Indiana and Houston, Texas, designing and writing software in many different work environments, from manufacturing to accounting to publishing.

My wife of 19 years and I met on the online dating service Match.com. Her ad said, “Intelligence is important.” Mine said, “Bugs Bunny is my hero. I am not looking for a maid, cook, laundress, dishwasher or sex object. I’m looking for a partner and companion.” After 23 emails, we hit it off on our first date. She turned my life around or I might not be writing on Medium.

Writing articles, training, and speaking at conferences were not in my job description! I sort of gravitated into those roles at first. My managers finally made training an official part of my job.

However, designing and developing software was my primary function. Just like Bugs Bunny, I was always successful and had lots of fun while doing it.

Finally, because my personality is more like a cat than the corporate model of a technician, I’m sure that a couple of my bosses wanted to fire me. They couldn’t since my software was too popular with the people on the business side of the company. So, they had to adjust.

My first published article, “Computer Programming and Systems Analysis in the Rapidly Changing VideoDisc Environment” (RCA Engineer magazine, July 1982) sold over 10,000 reprints world-wide. When I gave it to my boss for final approval before submission, he pulled out TWO red pens and demonstrated to me how important it is to have a proofreader!

Several more technical articles were published later in other publications. I didn’t branch outside of computers until I started publishing articles on Medium. Those still have a somewhat analytical style and structure, but like a cat, I am never sure what the subject will be. It can be anything.

Since retiring to The Villages, Florida, I have published 7 articles about retirement in The Villages plus 43 on other subjects, four curated and others appearing in publications.

Why write on Medium?

Based on a friend’s suggestion, I read a few high-quality articles on Medium about various subjects. It was like an elite print magazine.

You publish your article Instead of posting a blog on the internet

Medium released my writing instincts

I was impressed that you didn’t have to get an article approved to publish, there was no advertising, few restrictions on topics or writing style, and they had a curation process to feature articles for individual sections or all of Medium. Being online, you can even fix a minor error after it is published, though it is not redistributed or curated again.

I wrote an article about diabetes and was looking for a magazine to publish it. I mentioned to a friend that magazines were ignoring my story. They suggested looking at Medium.

After publishing that article, I published 49 more stories and have 50+ titles in progress in my unpublished stories folder.

Medium makes it easy to publish

Even if you do not get curated, your article is still featured on your follower’s pages. They provide a non-member (friends) link so you can post the link on Facebook and other social media. Also, joining a publication that fits your style helps. They can feature your article in their publication.

What are your writing interests?

I analyze everything, usually with cold, mathematical logic. Some articles reflect that logic while others show the playfulness of Bugs Bunny. The diversity of subjects in the entire portfolio demonstrates the curiosity of a cat.

I add a new title into my stories folder whenever a topic comes to mind. Today, I have over 50 titles in my new stories folder awaiting completion.

I write on any non-fiction topic. I even wrote one article sung to the tune of Rawhide.

What do you hope to accomplish by writing?

If one person learns something, has a new idea, gets enjoyment, or is inspired by any of my articles, I am successful.

I like well-thought-out reader responses, even if they contradict something in the article. They may provide a different point of view and sometimes I learn something new.

I sometimes include article links just to keep my comments shorter. I have seen comments that were 5-minute reads.

Can you share a highlight of your life?

A huge turning point occurred about 20 years ago when I met my wife. She turned my life around in so many different ways.

- A partner instead of an adversary - Sensible financial habits vs. credit card hell - Adventurous, well-travelled, filled 2 passports - Likes theater & concerts, willing to attend NFL games - Smart, worked in medical research

I had to get a passport to keep up with her. I never had one. My life fell into place after I met her.

Share a few of your article links with us?

I usually like to link my articles into points where they fit, either in comments or articles I am writing.

The primary reason we picked The Villages for retirement:

A logical vs. emotional approach to a problem:

Do you write anywhere else?

No, Medium takes all of my writing time.

Even though I am a member of a writers group in The Villages, 23 book authors and me, I do not plan on writing a book.

Any big plans for 2020?

Here in The Villages, every day is Saturday. My wife and I are planning a trip outside of the US, possibly to Spain, but nothing is solid yet.

As for writing, I will keep publishing articles on Medium.

Finally, I hope to meet my favorite author, Brenda Hiatt, sometime this year.

Can you recommend other authors in your niche?

I don’t know that I have a niche unless you would call any non-fiction subject a niche. Every article, so far, has some basis in reality.

Brenda Hiatt wrote “Starstruck,” a teen-sci-fi-romance novel that I found to be much better than Harry Potter. It changed another part of my life, as shown in this article:

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