No one plans to become homeless. But sometimes, due to bad luck, bad choices or bad planning, people find themselves without the basic necessities of life. What they do next can make the difference between climbing out or sinking in, according to James Lough, author of "A Homeless Panic: The Homeless Experience in America."

Lough a musician, became homeless in his 50s. Both he and his editor Randall Shaw spent time in the Bristol Lodge Men’s Shelter in Waltham, which is operated by the Middlesex Human Services Agency, a non-profit organization based in Waltham. Their book shares their experiences at the Bristol and other shelters in Massachusetts.

The following interview has been edited for space and clarity.

How did you become homeless?

Lough: I was an artist all my life. I picked my poison, I knew it was a risky lifestyle. I was playing music and making no money. Many times I refused employment because it got in the way. I never thought I’d become homeless, but it did happen to me. It’s not like I’m an irresponsible person. If I would have gone down certain roads, homelessness could have been avoidable. But the decisions I made took me to the brink of not being able to support myself.

Shaw: It was during the economic downturn and jobs were really hard to find. I have a lot of experience as an accountant and accounting manager. I also have a Harvard Business School degree.

So even with your specific skills, you couldn’t support yourself?

Shaw: That’s why its so scary. I spent full days in the career center applying for jobs every day. Occasionally I’d get the short-term contract job but there were these long gaps and I couldn’t pay my rent.

Lough: Unfortunately, homelessness is a nasty byproduct of capitalism. People find themselves short of money and not able to afford a place to live, and rent, with first and last month, is a big chunk of money to come up with. You either got it or you don’t. You have to make a good amount of money to keep your car on the road.

Please talk about your experiences.

Lough: The first couple of weeks, it was tough. I was sleeping in my car, not eating. I’m skinny, you should have seen me, I was next to nothing. I ran into some people who were more experienced with homelessness, and the library--thank goodness for the internet.

Shaw: The homeless shelter in Waltham had a relatively good reputation. It was dry, meaning they would test for drugs and alcohol. If they found it you were immediately expelled. That was one of the reasons it was better than the wet shelters, which allow alcoholics and drug users.

Lough: To be in the predicament of homelessness is one thing, but to be in it and to have to deal with someone smoking crack or alcoholics, no way.

What kind of support did you find in Waltham?

Lough: Waltham is the city that makes Massachusetts shine. I ran into a man on the street, just out of the blue he said hello and we shook hands. He said in Waltham you’ll never go hungry. He was right.

How were you able to get out of homelessness?

Lough: When you first become homeless, it’s important that you try to dig yourself out of the hole as fast as possible or you get comfortable. There are those who said, "I fell to this level, so I’ll make the best of it." Randall and I said "To hell with this. We’ll continue to get our lives back. I’m starting to get to a normal life."

Shaw: I had contract jobs. My primary goal was to pay car insurance and gasoline. There were long gaps between contract jobs. I went to a shelter in Harvard Square where you have to get a referral. I was referred by the Bristol and I was a lucky person to get there. You can stay for up to a year. I had a really good job for the year. I was able to save money and escape from the homeless experience.

How were you able to write and publish "A Homeless Panic?"

Shaw: Jim left the shelter and was taking care of an elderly woman, so he had a place to stay. Every Sunday, we worked on the book. We went online to see how do we publish a book? We contacted iUniverse. We haven’t received that much in revenues, but we would do it again because it was a great experience.

Lough: I felt my homeless experience was something to write about.

What do you want the public to understand about homeless people?

Lough: I was really shocked how people, ones that will never be homeless, think homeless people are either mental cases or just have chronic drug or alcohol problems. But that’s not true and it blew my mind.

People can find themselves in a bad situation in which a husband is kicked out of the house or a teenager can no longer live with his parents, or someone just doesn’t have enough money to shelter themselves. The stigma that it is just people who are mentally incapable of holding a job or have problems with alcohol and drugs is a myth, especially these days.

Do you have suggestions to address the homeless problem?

Lough: It's up to you if you sink or swim in society. People need a hand, a little time to get their life in order. I needed time to gather what I needed to step out in the world again. You have to be responsible, pay taxes, and give back. Everybody needs a hand sometimes, especially these days, but don’t take advantage, do what you need to do to be contributor to society in a positive way.