When he retired from working as an insurance agent 10 years ago, H.L. “Buster” Wasden of Albany didn’t have visions of literary grandeur.

Instead, he didn’t have much appreciation for books at all until he started reading to pass the time.

“Then, I was hooked,” the 71-year-old said in a recent telephone interview.

Since then, that appreciation of the written word has only deepened.

So much so, that a couple of years ago Wasden started writing as a way to document his life’s adventures for his grandchildren.

“Like when I was younger and we planted corn in the yard of Albany High School,” Wasden said, “or put frogs in the girls’ lockers.”

Those efforts served as the inspiration for “A Summer Adventure,” Wasden’s work of short fiction that is the third-place winner in The Albany Herald’s 9th annual Southwest Georgia Fiction Writing Contest.

But it’s an accolade Wasden never intended to seek on his own.

“My wife goaded me into it,” the only child said.

It turns out Brenda Wasden noticed her husband’s increased love of reading over the years. So she challenged him to try his own hand at writing.

“That’s really about it,” Wasden said. “She said, ‘You read so much, you should try writing, yourself.’ ”

So he did and subsequently submitted his efforts to The Herald’s annual literary contest.

“I had no idea I would even place,” Wasden said.

But he’s happy to have done so.

“It feels wonderful,” Wasden said. “It feels really good.”

So good, that he’s been inspired to challenge himself even more by working on a novella.

“I just wanted to see if I could do it,” Wasden said.

It seems an initial desire to preserve memories for family, combined with encouragement from Wasden’s wife, has unearthed a creative pastime.

“It’s really been fun,” he said.

• HOMETOWN: Columbus, but has lived in Albany since age 6

• EDUCATION: Attended Albany public schools and graduated from Valdosta State University

• FAMILY: Married 49 years and has two grown children and four children

• OCCUPATION: Retired State Farm insurance agent

Q: What else have you written?

A: I’ve started on a little novella.

Q: What are some of your hobbies?

A: I’m an avid woodworker. I love photography, and have taught photography at Darton (College). I play golf, fish and read.

I’m really dedicated to reading. I can finish two or three books in a week.

Q: What was your inspiration for writing this story?

A: I’m not real sure. The dog is my dog. She goes everywhere I go.

And when I was a little boy I got lost. But this was just a story I made up.

Q: Who are your favorite writers?

A: Nelson DeMille, John Grisham, James Patterson, Randy Wayne White, W.B. Griffin and James Grippando, Frank Peretti, Arthur Hailey and Philip Margolin.

I’m like a kid with a new toy. I can’t get enough of reading.

Q: What is your favorite book genre?

A: I love mysteries. On the other hand, I like other stuff. My preferences are varied, and I like a lot of things.

Q: What are the last three books you’ve read?

A: ‘Chasing Darkness’ by Robert Crais, ‘The Evening News’ by Arthur Hailey and ‘Utopia’ by Lincoln Child.

Q: What is your most memorable quote?

A: Teddy Roosevelt said, ‘I’m only an average man. But I work harder at it than an average man.’

I can relate to that because I work hard.

— Interviewed by Cathy Higgins