Need some reassurance I am not too old...
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I'm 73 and wrote five books in the last three years (ebook/ibook published) so if I can do it you can. I just wish I was your age again. LOL.
Regards
GJ
Regards
GJ
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I just want to say you guys won't believe how good this thread made me feel today. I'm only 20. (If 32 is a baby, I hate to think what 20 is. 
). I used feel like I should be getting more done, and/or getting ready to publish. I felt that if I waited (for any reason), I'd be missing out and/or I'd be too old to do it. That I would've missed my chance. Now, I don't feel that way at all. That's a good thing. This takes a lot of pressure off, most of which I put on myself but still. So, this all is a good thing. It gives me more time to figure myself out, as a writer and a person in general. I'm glad. You guys rock. Just thought you should know that. 
). I used feel like I should be getting more done, and/or getting ready to publish. I felt that if I waited (for any reason), I'd be missing out and/or I'd be too old to do it. That I would've missed my chance. Now, I don't feel that way at all. That's a good thing. This takes a lot of pressure off, most of which I put on myself but still. So, this all is a good thing. It gives me more time to figure myself out, as a writer and a person in general. I'm glad. You guys rock. Just thought you should know that. 
Began writing at 49.
Began seeking publishing at 51.
Had some articles published at 51-55, but nothing major.
Decided to self-publish at 59.
Still writing at 60.
Day job retirement is 5 years, 6 months, and 19 days away—unless a book or two or three sell big.
Began seeking publishing at 51.
Had some articles published at 51-55, but nothing major.
Decided to self-publish at 59.
Still writing at 60.
Day job retirement is 5 years, 6 months, and 19 days away—unless a book or two or three sell big.
Timely story -
Yesterday my hubby sat down and started reading my upcoming debut novel (in my sig). Last night, he asked me if I could have written like that right after we got married (23 years ago). My answer was "absolutely not". I lacked the discipline, imagination, life experiences and probably most importantly, confidence.
Yesterday my hubby sat down and started reading my upcoming debut novel (in my sig). Last night, he asked me if I could have written like that right after we got married (23 years ago). My answer was "absolutely not". I lacked the discipline, imagination, life experiences and probably most importantly, confidence.
Arnold Gessen wrote non-fiction, but still...
He was a Soviet historian of literature who specialized in Alexander Pushkin. He published his first book when he was eighty-two. He wrote five more.
He was a Soviet historian of literature who specialized in Alexander Pushkin. He published his first book when he was eighty-two. He wrote five more.
Aaacckkk - this reminds me of the people who ask me, "Am I too thin?" when they know they are just perfectly sized. Pushes my pudgy buttons, that does.
I think the 30s is a great age to be writing. You've been around long enough to know some things, but you're not too burned out or cynical yet.
I wish I'd kept it up when I was that age, but I let a lot time go by while doing other things. Don't let that happen to you.
This is a great thread. I'm currently 34 and just started taking writing serious a little over a year or two ago. I wrote some short stories, etc in college a few years back and did the whole fan fiction thing when I was in my early 20s but didn't take much of it serious until I took a screen writing class a couple of years ago. For whatever reason, that class(two of them actually) struck a cord within me. Although, I have a screen play idea(or two) I'm more into novels but the class showed me just how interested I am in the story process.
I had a couple of story ideas 5-6 years ago that I never really developed but now I've got 2 stories on going and 3-4 lined up, begging for attention. I'm currently working on the edits for a draft I did last summer. I plan on having this sucker finished by the end of fall(still have some scenes, etc to add as well.) Once that's finished I plan on showing a couple of chapters to people. I knew I had to get comfortable in my writing for a year or two before I'd be ready to take that step. I'm almost there!
I had a couple of story ideas 5-6 years ago that I never really developed but now I've got 2 stories on going and 3-4 lined up, begging for attention. I'm currently working on the edits for a draft I did last summer. I plan on having this sucker finished by the end of fall(still have some scenes, etc to add as well.) Once that's finished I plan on showing a couple of chapters to people. I knew I had to get comfortable in my writing for a year or two before I'd be ready to take that step. I'm almost there!
I just turned 40 and my first novel comes out next month. When I was your age, I was also worried I was too old! I considered myself in a race with Herman Melville, who published Moby Dick at 33 (more about racing with Melville here). Little did I know I had 6 more years of work to do on the novel I was writing. I think you learn things in your 30s that you can put to good use in your writing. And 33 is by no means old. Work hard, keep growing up, you'll get there.
I considered myself in a race with Herman Melville, who published Moby Dick at 33 (more about racing with Melville here). Little did I know I had 6 more years of work to do on the novel I was writing. I think you learn things in your 30s that you can put to good use in your writing. And 33 is by no means old. Work hard, keep growing up, you'll get there.
Think of it this way: How old will you be in ten years?
How old will you be in ten years if you started writing today? The same, but the only difference in ten years time you will have written a lot of books!
How old will you be in ten years if you started writing today? The same, but the only difference in ten years time you will have written a lot of books!
This is the quote that made me go back to school to get my college degree when I was 32. It took me four years and guess what? When I got finished I was 36 - the exact same age I would have been if I hadn't gone back to school! Is that amazing, or what?
I started a whole new career at the age of 37 and I've had amazing experiences since then, so I certainly don't feel like becoming a first-time published author at 46 is too old. In fact, my next book contains some fun elements from that new career (dodging alligators, for example) - elements I didn't know anything about, or could even imagine myself doing, when I was younger.
There's a theory that suggests
that you can't really write until you've lived...
and until you've figured out what's important about living.
It's just a theory...
This!
Also read Brenda Ueland and Dorothea Brande's books about writing, written in the '30s and '40s. Incredible insight.
This thread helped me out too.
I've been putting a lot of pressure on myself because it feels like I'm starting late.
I can ease off a little now, but not too much, still need to get that first draft finished.
I've been putting a lot of pressure on myself because it feels like I'm starting late.
I can ease off a little now, but not too much, still need to get that first draft finished.
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This thread is great in two ways:
1) Having started to write my first novel in February very shortly after my 30th birthday, I no longer feel like every other writer in the world has a ten-year headstart on me
2) We get to be all nosy and surprised about the ages other forumites are
1) Having started to write my first novel in February very shortly after my 30th birthday, I no longer feel like every other writer in the world has a ten-year headstart on me
2) We get to be all nosy and surprised about the ages other forumites are
At the OP - IMHO, it's never too late!
I'm 26, and though I've been writing since I was old enough to put pen to paper, I have never actually finished a full novel until just recently. Before, I'd always start stories, get a few chapters in, then trunk 'em and never look at them again. Now, I'm officially querying on my first fully finished novel. It's a personal goal to get published before I'm 30, but if it doesn't happen by then I'm going to keep at it
I'm 26, and though I've been writing since I was old enough to put pen to paper, I have never actually finished a full novel until just recently. Before, I'd always start stories, get a few chapters in, then trunk 'em and never look at them again. Now, I'm officially querying on my first fully finished novel. It's a personal goal to get published before I'm 30, but if it doesn't happen by then I'm going to keep at it
I'm 50 and the more people older than me out there, the better! All my cultural idols and mentors are dying off and I am not in good spirits--haven't been since my 30s as that's the age you are supposed to succeed or die trying.
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I began writing at 45, first acceptance of short stories and poems at 55. Now, at 64, I've had 3 novels published by indie publishers and selfpublished 3 more.
I've never been able to attract an agent and go the traditional route, but I'm hoping that's because I don't write "marketable" novels, rather than the quality of my writing.
I'm still writing and still hoping for the breakthrough.
JohnB
I've never been able to attract an agent and go the traditional route, but I'm hoping that's because I don't write "marketable" novels, rather than the quality of my writing.
I'm still writing and still hoping for the breakthrough.
JohnB
I am delighted and surprised that many others are gaining hope and inspiration in this thread. I logically shouldn't be surprised that there were others out there with the same feelings, but I was surprised anyway.
It makes me glad that others are taking heart through this thread as well. You are all wonderful!
It makes me glad that others are taking heart through this thread as well. You are all wonderful!
Having never taken a creative writing class or written so much as a haiku outside of required lit courses in high school, I abruptly started writing a novel the weekend I turned 35, simply because I wanted to give it a try and I had a story to tell. I am now 37. My debut novel is being published mid-October of this year. I have 5 books under contract and that number is about to increase. Everybody's developmental process as a writer is different. There's no "it's too late" about it--as is reflected by so many of the stories here
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This thread is great and came at a good time for me too. I'm 43 and yay, there's still hope and time.
Gosh, I didn't get serious about writing until the year I turned 40 and my youngest child went off to kindergarten.
You start when you're ready to start. In my case, I started twice: once in 1987 and again in 2009. This time it seems serious. I can't beat myself up for not being more diligent a decade ago. My writing wasn't good enough.
So whether you're 14, 40, or 60 - just go for it!
So whether you're 14, 40, or 60 - just go for it!
Aaaand now I'm a little worried I'm too young for this
If I'm remembering correctly, Meredith Duran was published in her 20s and so was her younger sister.
I'm 60 and have seven books published, during a solid eight- year writing stint. I hope to have contracts for three more this year. Considering the contracts I refused or shredded, I'd have 16 published novels as of this date.
My first publication credit came at age 35.
tri
My first publication credit came at age 35.
tri
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