Do writers ever really retire?  In my short stint as a writer, I’m not sure they ever can.  Once you start to formulate words in your head, there’s no choice but to simply get them out!  Otherwise, they can keep you awake at night.  You have no other option but to write them on a pad of paper, or even on a notebook, and in my particular case on this computer screen.  My experience has shown that even though no one else may ever read them, once you write them down there’s a sense of relief and satisfaction.

Writing is a relatively easy process now.  Anyone can do it – even me.  You don’t need to use a charred stick, make your own ink, sharpen a pencil, haul out the cumbersome typewriter and White Out, or even own a Word Processor.  You can do it anywhere and even self-publish, type on your mobile phone, or use a lap-top.  You can get started today, but it may be hard to ever finish or even stop.  I don’t think I ever will!

One of my favorite authors, Sue Grafton, has a clever plan to “retire,” but she’s already 77 years old.   She uses the letters A-Z on her “alphabet mysteries,” and will soon release Y is for Yesterday.  I’ve been following her for years, even before “following” was deemed by social media to be acceptable behavior.  I’m not sure what I would have said if asked ten years ago if I wanted to be followed?  Now, the more followers you have the more successful you are.

Once Sue Grafton finishes what is expected to be titled,  Z is for Zero, will that really be the end of her writing or just the end for her main character, Kinsey Millhone?  I thought a more fitting title would be “Z End!”  By her 80th birthday, she will have accomplished her plan and come to the end of the alphabet.  Will she suddenly stop or will the armored truck from the publishing company that pulls into her driveway convince her otherwise?  Future options could include AA-ZZ or A1-Z1, or even Aa-Zz.  History provides the answer through her unwavering character.

Sue Grafton spent 15 years writing in Hollywood before her books started to gain popularity. It took her until the letter G before she could focus exclusively on writing her series.   She’s turned down every film adaption offer, and has been adamant  bout NOT wanting Kinsey Millhorn’s character Hollywoodized!  This woman has discipline and all the money in the world won’t convince her differently!

I would imagine that the dilemma for a successful author, is just where do you draw the line? Once you’ve given birth to a fictional character, wouldn’t they be like one of your own children?  Could you kill them off, or worse yet, put them in a state of suspended animation? How could she possibly live with herself, knowing that when she stops writing, life for Kinsey Milhourn, will stop forever.  What?  No more peanut butter and pickle sandwiches?

Kinsey Millhorn has led a very long life.  In fact, her years last over four times ours.  It’s no wonder she solves so many cases every year.  She was 32 years In 1982 when A is for Alibi was published.  In 2019 when Z is for Zero hits the book stands, she’ll just turn 40 – nearly half of Sue Grafton’s age.  Sue Grafton allegedly once told the Wall Street Journal that “you’re never going to have to watch Kinsey Millhorn  go through menopause.” Does that mean she will die in the end, or be forever frozen in time in the 1980’s?  (See post #147:  Freeze It!)

Other authors have had long-standing relationships with their book characters.  One of my first favorites was Ian Fleming.  He wrote his first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, in 1952 when I was just 1 year old.  I heard it was good but had to wait a few years to actually read it! Fleming didn’t want Bond to die or stop living, so he passed him forward to continuation authors like Raymond Benson, Anthony Horowicz, Jeffrey Deaver, and five others.   James Bond will never die; he lives forever through TV, Radio, Comics, Video Games, and Film. Kinsey Millhone, however, is in distinct danger of never having that chance of immortality.

Another author favorite, Michael Connelly, invented the character Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch.  Bosch initially appeared in the 1992 novel, The Black Echo.  Unlike Kinsey Millhone, he’s at least grown old enough to have some gray hair.  His next appearance will be later this year in Two Kinds Of Truth.  Amazon Prime turned it into a TV series called simply Bosch in 2015, and has recently renewed it for a 4th season.  I don’t know why I haven’t taken the time to watch it yet?  Maybe it’s because I’m so worried about Kinsey Millhone?

I’m equally concerned about Dennis Lehane’s popular private detective duo, Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro.  I’m just now getting to know them, even though their first book, A Drink Before The War, was published 23 years ago.  I don’t have the same excuse I had in waiting to read James Bond!  They made the movies, too, with Gone, Baby, Gone, with which I just recently reacquainted myself.  I understand that Lehane does not intend to continue their story.  In fact, I heard him say that himself!  Apparently, their last appearance was in the 2010 novel, Moonlight Mile, and have been frozen on ice ever since.

There will be more James Bond, regardless of the author or the actor who plays him.  Bosch has been retired from the LAPD, but found a second career as a reserve officer with the San Fernando Police Department, so he’ll continue to keep me entertained throughout my retirement years.  Angie and Patrick will be short-lived friends of mine, but still have a chance of turning up again later.  However, Kinsey Millhorn will be retired prematurely, her detective license put on-hold.   In the words of singer-songwriter, Bonnie Raitt, “Life gets mighty precious when there’s less of it to waste.”  These last two Kinsey Millhorn stories will be mighty precious.  Yes, she will continue to exist through the 26-book series, but is that really living?