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This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Judy Katz, an 85-year-old ghostwriter based in New York City. The following has been edited for length and clarity.I'm the founder and president of Katz Creative, Inc.
, and I work from my home office on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. I'm still working around 30 hours a week at age 85.I graduated from UC Berkeley in 1962. When I first returned to New York from California, I wrote for a medical ad agency and then contributed to two McGraw-Hill magazines. I later became the director of PR for Madison Square Garden, the PR director for the March of Dimes in New York, and the director of special projects for the National MS Society.Cut to a blazing day in August 2005, just before my 65th birthday. I arrived at my luxurious three-bedroom, three-bath terraced apartment, exhausted from commuting and tired of playing everyone's Jewish mother — dealing with the daily dramas of my staff.I loved doing PR, but creative writing was my passion.I never considered retiring. That's a dirty word to me. I continued to work as a ghostwriter.I've been running this venture for the past 20 years and have ghostwritten 60 memoirs, business books, inspirational books, health books, romans à clef, and other novels.For full ghostwriting services and help getting an agent and a publisher, I charge $150,000. Feel free to tell me I am expensive. To women, I say, "A Timex tells time and so does a Rolex." Or to guys, I say "a Ford will get you there, and so will a Maserati — but it's a different ride."For a book report on a client's manuscript in which I share what works, what doesn't, and how to fix it, I charge $3,500. I also offer two-hour development sessions for $500, during which I help clients figure out the book they were born to write.I'm making more money now than I did in PR.I moved from 2,000 sq ft to a nearby rental: a two-bedroom, two-bath of about 850 sq ft. The rental had many amenities, including an indoor pool. I lived there for three years.In August, they raised my rent by $700, which I thought was excessive. I bought my daughter an oversize one-bedroom in Lincoln Towers. After a renovation was completed, my daughter moved in, and I left my rental and moved into her 615-square-foot studio, which I bought for her 22 years earlier.I'm thrilled to live here. I live on a high floor, it has an enormous terrace, a great view, and the maintenance is about $1,700, with all utilities included. I love a bargain.I love sharing my experiences and observations, which is why I do many podcasts and talks. I encourage young people to trust themselves. The same applies to baby boomers who might be considering leaving salaried positions to start their own ventures.If something seems too complicated, do it anyway. I never say I can't do something. If I take on a complex project, I can always find a genius amoeba or a wise boomer to help me get it across the finish line.At 85, if you believe stereotypes, I should be in assisted living or a nursing home, planted in a rocking chair or wheelchair. That is not my reality, nor is it that of anyone else I know in their 80s and 90s — or some beyond. I don't take any medications. My health is great. Lightning will strike me dead.As long as you can play full out, don't buy into ageism. When I was 75, I dated a 98-year-old billionaire. That story was published in the Mensa magazine, along with photos.I also recently wrote my own book, "From 18 to 84 and Counting: One Woman's Blueprint for a Joyous Third Act." Age is really just a number, and mine isn't up yet, so I will keep living full out.I love LinkedIn and TikTok. I read a lot. Recently, I finished "Spend Your Damn Retirement Money" by Richard Sheffield, which inspired me to buy my daughter a larger apartment so she can enjoy her inheritance now.I also like to spend money on my son, on other loved ones, and on causes I care about — especially anything that helps dogs.For example, a wonderful woman named Jen Wilson and I co-authored "Galaxy: The Healing Powers of a Rescue Dog." I'm determined to help turn it into a movie.Don't ruin your face with fillers. Embrace your wrinkles. Be proud of who you are now. In my younger days, I was beautiful. We all were.If I want people to embrace their age, I have to be comfortable with the Judy Katz I am today.
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