Next week, I’ve going to delve further into how Erickson's eight stages of development can give you laser focus into your audience. Here are the first six stages:
1. Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy, 0–1 year)
2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Toddlerhood, 1–3 years)
3. Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool, 3–6 years)
4. Industry vs. Inferiority (School age, 6–12 years)
5. Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence, 12–18 years)
6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young adulthood, 18–40 years)
As we pass through these various stages, we gravitate toward one or the other. As you can see, the first alternative is healthy and the second alternative...not so healthy.
For the sake of today's Power Writers Report, I'm going to focus on the last two stages, which helps explain what drives us to write books—and how writing saves us from the silent killer of dreams.
1. Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (Ages
~40–65)— Writing to Make a Difference
In midlife and beyond, Erikson observed that people are drawn to generativity—the drive to contribute to something bigger than themselves. It’s about nurturing, guiding, and creating for the next generation.
For many aspiring authors, the urge to write
a book surfaces here.
You’re not just journaling or capturing memories for fun. You’re thinking, What have I learned? What wisdom can I pass on? What difference can I make?
You want to give back—to your family, your community, or
even strangers who might be helped by your story, message, or expertise.
Writing becomes a means of planting seeds.
- Memoir writers want to pass on lessons learned from a lifetime of challenges.
- Entrepreneurs want to share what built their business so others can
follow.
- Religious writers want to help readers make sense of their lives.
In this stage, publishing a book becomes an act of generativity—creative legacy-building.
Sound familiar? This motivation drive me to release transcendent books through
Illumify.
2. Writing Prevents the Stagnation Trap
When people resist the call to create or contribute, Erikson warns they risk sliding into stagnation—self-absorption, boredom, or regret.
This is the silent killer of dreams.
You need to create or contribute to society or you begin to stagnate. The dream for a meaningful life dies.
How many people do you know who say, “I’ve always wanted to write a book,” and never do?
The unwritten book is a weight on the soul. A reminder of what we could have done but didn’t. And it grows heavier with time.
Writing, even with its challenges, keeps you engaged. It demands reflection, discipline, and purpose. It’s work—but the kind of work that brings life.
3. Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair (Ages ~65 and up)—Writing to Bring
Meaning
As we age into later adulthood, Erikson says we face the task of reflecting on our lives. Did it all add up? Was it worth it?
This is where writing becomes more than generative—it becomes integrative.
Authors in their sixties, seventies, and beyond often write to make sense of their lives. They look back over decades of decisions, loves, losses, and adventures and try to distill meaning.
You’re not just writing for others anymore. You’re writing for yourself.
This is the essence of Erikson’s final stage: crafting a narrative that affirms your life. It’s where your story, fully told, becomes a source of peace rather than regret.
4.
Books Are Tangible Proof of a Life Well Lived
Erikson suggested that achieving integrity means accepting your past and finding satisfaction in the whole of your life.
A book does that in literal form.
It’s the physical embodiment of your voice, your story, your lessons. It’s something you can hold in your hands and say, I made this. This is who I am, and what I believe.
Unlike social media posts or fleeting conversations, your book endures. It outlives you. That’s why so many people
later in life finally say yes to writing—they want to leave a legacy.
5. Despair Often Comes From Silence
On the other hand, despair—the negative outcome of Erikson’s eighth stage—can creep in when people feel they’ve wasted
time or failed to live authentically.
For some, this is tied to their creative work. They had stories to tell but remained silent. Ideas that never made it past the “someday” list.
The good news? It’s
never too late to begin.
I’ve worked with authors who started writing late in life, published at 80, and celebrated their book launch with grandkids in tow. They often say, “I wish I’d done this sooner,” but they never say, “I wasted my time on my book."
NOT. ONE. SINGLE. TIME!
Because once the story is out, our souls breathe easier. The dream is fulfilled.
6. You’re Not Just Leaving a Book. You’re Leaving a
Piece of Yourself.
At this stage, your book doesn’t need to be a bestseller or a masterpiece. That’s not the point.
If you’re writing in these later stages of life, your book becomes an artifact of who you are. A conversation with the future. A monument of memory, wisdom, and
wonder.
READ. THAT. AGAIN!
And here’s the magic: the process of writing is just as meaningful as the final product. It can bring healing. Connection. Closure.
That’s why it matters.
Ready to Write Your Legacy?
If you feel the nudge to write a book, especially later in life, pay attention. Erikson would say your soul is inviting you
to engage in purpose, legacy, and peace.
You don’t need to write alone. Whether it’s your memoir, an inspirational book, or a personal story with a universal message—we’re here to help you shape it, finish it, and publish it.
Click on the
button below and let's discuss how to bring your story into the world.
