Does age have anything to do with anything?

[WriterJosh]

This may be a stupid question...but...

I kinda feel like I'm late to the game. I'm about to turn 36.

Most of the writers I'm a fan of had quite a bibliography by this time, or at the very least had a few books on shelves by the time they were my age.

Does anyone look sideways at a person this close to 40 with nothing published? Or do they care at all?

Some of you are like me; still hoping to land their first positive query. Are any of you as old as I am? Older?

Some of you are already published. How old were you when your first book was accepted?

 

[Mouse]

There's some proper oldies here. Oh they're old. So ooooooold.

Basically, don't worry.

 

[Brian G Turner]

I'm 41, and I'm sincerely hoping to get published in the next two years, through sheer hard work, determinism, and a willingness to take criticism.

I would have loved to have been published 10 years ago - BUT my work would be a lot stronger now - not simply because I understand a little more about writing, but also I have more life experience, and especially because I've done a lot more research. There's a whole wealth of detail I would be missing if I was published earlier, and IMO this can only make my current work much better.

 

[WriterJosh]

There's some proper oldies here. Oh they're old. So ooooooold.

Basically, don't worry.

Lol, I know I'm not old. I just wondered if I was comparatively older than your average debut writer. At best I'll be 36 before I land an agent and/or book deal. I could very well have seen 40 or older well before this happens.

 

[WriterJosh]

I'm 41, and I'm sincerely hoping to get published in the next two years, through sheer hard work, determinism, and a willingness to take criticism.

You mean like I'm still learning to do?

...I understand a little more about writing, but also I have more life experience, and especially because I've done a lot more research.

THIS. I look back on writing I was doing in my 20's and shudder. Research is also coming easier nowadays.

 

[Abernovo]

WJ, go, Google writers who didn't make it until after 40. Then 50, etc. There are quite a lot. I don't care how old the writer is, or anything else about them, really. The only thing that matters to me as a reader is what's on the page. As a writer, I see everyone as people -- and they're all different. Child prodigy, late bloomer, doesn't matter.

Mildly sarcastic, I know, but '40 or older'? Shock, horror!

As Mouse says, don't worry. And, excuse me whilst I go find my walking stick.

 

[The Judge]

There's some proper oldies here. Oh they're old. So ooooooold.

*clouts Mouse with a handy VR6 turbo-charged GTi zimmer frame*

Does it matter if other aspiring writers here are younger or *gnash of teeth* slightly *cough cough* older than you? Clearly, a publisher is going to want to get his money's worth out of an author, but the author's age is of far less importance than his/her ability to write good stories which people will pay to read. Write. And leave worrying about age to those of us whose wrinkles are visible from space.

 

[WriterJosh]

I kinda feel like I stepped on toes. All I was asking for was whether or not I'm above the normal age for a debut writer. I certainly don't mean to imply that I'm "old" or call anyone else "old".

 

[Mouse]

*clouts Mouse with a handy VR6 turbo-charged GTi zimmer frame*

Knew you'd be the first.

Josh - I don't think you've stepped on toes, don't worry. We're all, uh, joshing with you.

 

[lauren$77]

This may be a stupid question...but...

I kinda feel like I'm late to the game. I'm about to turn 36.

Does anyone look sideways at a person this close to 40 with nothing published? Or do they care at all?

Some of you are like me; still hoping to land their first positive query. Are any of you as old as I am? Older?

Ahem ....I'm 35 the same age as you Josh and I wouldn't exactly say I'm old...well not yet at least. And its mid thirties not late thirties! And why WHY did you have to mention the 4 - 0.

Seriously why would you worry about it. Are you having some kind of mid life crisis or something! Perhaps you're worried your biography photo won't look so good! *whispers* are you losing your hair

 

[WriterJosh]

Josh - I don't think you've stepped on toes, don't worry. We're all, uh, joshing with you.

Phew. I have no interest in coming across as a jerk.

 

[Abernovo]

Certainly didn't step on my toes, Josh. Hence the smiley.

Saw a Tweet from the agent Juliet Mushens yesterday(?). Her oldest writer is in her 70s. The youngest, I think, is a mere teenager, or early 20s. There's no 'right' age for a writing debut.

 

[WriterJosh]

Are you having some kind of mid life crisis or something! Perhaps you're worried your biography photo won't look so good! *whispers* are you losing your hair

I kinda am. I planned on being farther along. Ah, the plans of a young, single dude. Now I'm married (very, very good thing), have kids (also very, very good) and have spent the last 13 years in IT (whaaaaaat???!! When did that happen? That wasn't the plan!) Lol.

Also, no, I happen to have a very full head of hair. As do my 60-year-old father and 96-year-old grandfather. Good genes in that regard, at least.

 

[jastius]

josh are you talking about the wunderkind sort of thing going on right now with the canadian publishers where if you aren't a twenty something from toronto or vancouver with a high flying job and journalism experience and multicultural whatis to boot they are not interested? that you are not their accepted shade of purple, i.e. ' not marketable' ?
as my dad would say, don't like the buggers get you down... that kind isn't looking for a writer or author.. they are looking for a sex symbol to liven up the features page.
just go reread margaret atwoods biography a doxen times and take deep breaths of tranquility.
like it says in the book .. everyone finds the path at different times to reach their destination. the road may be short or long. but always enjoy the trip and just keep going.. sends josh a box of timbits and a cup of timmies.

[seriously guys if you are all offended i probably am the closest one to go throw a snowball at him... ]

 

[ratsy]

Well since I have already been snowed on, I can throw it Jastius! MMm pumpkin spice muffin's...yummmm

Anyways, back on topic. I don't know much about the agent/publisher thing but I would assume that a great book is a great book. Never have I looked up an author profile to see they were sixty and went "nah, I won't give it a chance, they are too old"

If anything, an older writer should be more practiced and have a tonne more experience than a twenty year old. That being said, a good writer is a good writer and I can only hope that the cream rises to the top...and I know there are a lot of good writers on this forum who will see their time, regardless of age.

I just got bit by the writers bug last year and I just turned 33 so I am kind of in the same boat as you Josh...I hope to have a finished manuscript in the next couple years.

 

[lauren$77]

I kinda am. I planned on being farther along. Ah, the plans of a young, single dude. Now I'm married (very, very good thing), have kids (also very, very good) and have spent the last 13 years in IT (whaaaaaat???!! When did that happen? That wasn't the plan!) Lol.

Also, no, I happen to have a very full head of hair. As do my 60-year-old father and 96-year-old grandfather. Good genes in that regard, at least.

Lol - I'm glad to hear you've still got your hair Josh. I think I too am having a mid life crisis, it was the big 40 that started me writing - I'm somewhat ashamed to admit. I don't want to be old and wrinkly in my biography photo. At least your kids are nearly grown up - giving you the time to write. Mine's only 4 so still has much growing and pestering to do!

[seriously guys if you are all offended i probably am the closest one to go throw a snowball at him... ]

I'll keep in mind your kind offer Jastius just in case the need arises!

 

[WriterJosh]

Probably a big thing for me is that I've been writing since I knew how. I wrote little short stories with pictures when I was in grade school. I dropped the pictures when I realized that I could not draw a convincing stick figure.

When I was in high school I took a creative writing course. Now part of my homework included writing. I entered various writing competitions as well, and won a couple. By this time, I knew I wanted to write. The idea of living my life and not writing was horrifying.

But then I got married early (not the woman I'm married to now) and she did not support my writing in any way but lip service. She'd say "Of course I support your goal of being a writer" but I could only work on my WIP's when she wasn't around. If she was, she would ask "could you not do that later?" or remind me of something that needed doing. I finished exactly one novel in the entire time we were married, and it was not a good novel. At all.

But that's the past and I'm trying now to focus on my goal and not stop until I get there.

 

[jastius]

sounds like my work ...
josh i recommend that for furthering your writing education you read through all the posts on the seventy five word challenge..(hint hint...(and vote.. there are only two hours left to do so..) )
this will show you in a nutshell all the lovely styles of all the lovely writers on this forum..

 

[ralphkern]

33 for me. Whilst im a firm believer its not the years its the milage, i do think in order to get a decent amount of life experience later can be better.

 

[chrispenycate]

For what it is worth (not much, admittedly) I didn't even consider writing until I had passed sixty. Certainly, I don't yet consider myself of publishable standard yet (or, more precisely {and that's one of my problems, I ween – no, not the nested parentheses, the desire for precision} have not yet written anything publishable) but I do not yet despair of doing so; I'm constantly changing, so some of the movement must be in the direction of improvement (and I'm typing quite a lot faster).

'Course, when I do write something acceptable I'll be useless at selling it, but that has nothing to do with age, and a lot to do with me.

Perhaps it's different for little girls? (I'm not suggesting that this would be reasonable, or a good thing, just that it might be the case.)