A former Stoughton resident who is also a successful writer is releasing a new book that offers experiences and advice to middle aged people who could be looking at a shift in their careers.

Linda Wegner, who pens the "Weight of Words" column that appears each week in Lifestyles and other publications, recently released "3D Success: Changing Careers in Mid Life."

The book will be launched on Tuesday, October 16 at the Stoughton Public Library, starting at 7 p.m.

"It's a chronicle of my journey from Stoughton when we left there in 2000, until today," said Wegner.

Wegner started working for a company in 2000 after a two-week mentorship program. It was a dramatic shift, as she went from being a pastor's wife to writing, researching and analyzing data for background material for industrial investors. She did that for three years, until she and her husband moved to B.C.

"I then had to totally reshift my business focus, because there was no longer any big farm equipment out here," said Wegner.

Wegner also shares what she has learned, and offers tips how to set up a business, how to connect with business colleagues, how to network, and how to establish a client base.

"I weave into it my story of faith in God, and I talk very frankly where I've failed, where I did all right, where I was happy and where I was frustrated," said Wegner. 

She hopes that people are encouraged when they read the book. She said she faced hurdles when she changed careers, as she had no previous formal training or post-secondary education. She was also in the process of recovering from cancer, so she didn't have much stamina.

The 3D in the title stands for discovering your passion, developing a plan and defending your priorities. There are exercises in the book to help people find their passion, and she requests that readers ask themselves why they're embarking on a career transition.

Developing a plan includes recommendations for financial planning, setting up a business, and reaching their goals. Defending priorities helps to combat procrastination and wasting time, while defending personal integrity and important relationships.

"I'm right up front," said Wegner. "It's not an expert textbook. It's the story of what worked for me and what didn't, and I hope to just encourage people that if they're in difficult circumstances, to get things in order to go forward."

Wegner is pleased with how the book turned out. The foreword is from a certified career practitioner who works in an employment office. A Sun Life Financial employee has also offered an endorsement, as Wegner noted that he wishes he had read "3D Success" before entering his career.

"I've had some really good response to it," said Wegner.

This is Wegner's fourth published book. She wrote the history book for her church denomination. She also penned an events planning book for women's fellowship and other events called "What's to be done with a Pumpkin?" Copes were sold throughout the southeast. And she has released "Lavender and Whiskers," a compilation of some of her "Weight of Words" columns.

Wegner said it's a natural fit that she's launching the book in Stoughton. She was the branch librarian when she and her husband were living in the community. Wegner still has a lot of friends in the town, and she is looking forward to seeing them again.