Meet Susan Goldfein | Humor Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susan Goldfein and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Well, what I do is not a business per se, but rather what is now commonly referred to as an “encore career.” I worked in health care for many years, and retirement was terrifying to me. But inevitably, it happened. Not knowing quite what to do with myself going forward, I registered for a writing class and discovered I had a knack for writing humorous personal essays. I had such fun doing this, that I started my own web site, now called “Susan’s Unfiltered Wit,” and it’s been up and running for twelve years. I write one or two fresh essays a month, mostly from the perspective of “a woman of a certain age.” I write about everyday, very relatable topics such as the indignities of aging, highly annoying TV commercials, why anyone would buy a wrinkle cream made from artichokes, and whether or not the world really needs electric toilet bowls. I’ve published three books, and have won several book awards in the humor category. My readership, which started with my friends and relatives, has grown significantly over the years, and I have a substantial number of followers on Facebook.

But in answer to your direct question about my thought process in starting this endeavor, I’d have to say it was motived by fear!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I received a doctorate in Speech Pathology and worked as a clinician, adjunct professor, and consultant for over 30 years. I worked primarily with adults with acquired neurological disorders that affected communication, such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, traumatic brain injury and dementia. My doctoral research was understanding the communication changes that accompanied Alzheimer’s disease, and my last position in this area was with the New York CIty Alzheimer’s Association, where I applied my expertise to family members, early-stage individuals, and managing large city-wide conferences on Alzheimer’s. It was after retirement that I began my second career as a humor writer. The two careers may seem incongruous, but a sense of humor was always important in relating to patients and family members.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The area has great museums and cultural centers. I would definitely check out regional theater and other performances. My favorite restaurants are scattered around Palm Beach County. And, I would also drag my guests to the many nature preserves and show them the “real” Florida. And who can resist a day or two hanging at the beach!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My initial encouragement for writing funny stuff came from my writing instructor, Julie Gilbert. Julie runs the Writers Academy at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. She stuck a little post-it note on one of my essays which said, in her best Old English, “Methinks you have found your voice!”

The other person who has been key in keeping me going is my husband, Larry. Without his support and encouragement, those books never would have happened.

And finally, I want to shout out to my three muses, Nora Ephron, Erma Bombeck, and Andy Rooney.

Website: www.SusansUnfilteredWit.com

Facebook: Unfiltered Wit

Image Credits
Mel Abfier