Guilt inspired Mitch Albom to write

Tuesdays with Morrie author Mitch Albom has revealed that guilt made him turn his pen to inspirational books and work for good causes.

In an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the 51-year-old writer admitted that he did not 'think a whole lot' about life when he was a successful sports journalist.

However, the author, who also wrote The Five People You Meet In Heaven and For One More Day, explained that he was hit by guilt when he discovered Morrie Schwartz, his former professor, was dying of Lou Gehrig's disease.

Albom told the newspaper that realising he had broken his promise to visit Professor Schwartz prompted him to regularly meet with the sick man and write Tuesdays with Morrie - the proceeds from which were used to pay his mentor's medical bills.

As well as crafting his inspirational books, the writer has established four charities to aid needy children, the homeless, older people and those with disabilities.

'I'm not any better than anybody else. Left to my own devices - and if nothing had ever came in my path that tugged at my heart - I probably would have just pursued my own personal interests,' he added.

Have a Little Faith, Albom's latest book, is an autobiographical account of the writer's discovery of his life's purpose and how religion helps people cope with modern living.