A question for older, aspiring or recently published writers (Serious answers only):?

Question

I am 40 and have been writing on and off for over twenty years. Only in the past five years or so have I been trying to buckle down and 'make it happen'. I am a fine writer and that's not the issue. I have a family and trying to find time to write is a larger challenge for me than writer's block. I try to write something every day (and am very serious about it), but life does throw you detours. I'm not well off enough to just pack it in and stay home to write every day, all day long. But I think about writing all the time and all these story ideas (long and short) are bouncing around in my brain. I have submitted, most recently to a Writer's Digest contest but, at this point in my life, is it too late to consider writing as a carrer? (Again, serious answers ONLY)

Answer 1

My dear, as long as one can type or hold a pen, they are never too old to consider writing a career. You may not be 72 like me, and know you don't have all that many years left to contribute to the stack of manuscripts on an editors desk, but just stop a moment and realize at 30 an aspiring writer may be killed in an accident. And me? I may live to be 97 like my grandmother, and my still living aunts and uncles now in their 90's. I'm old, but never think I'm too old, and neither should you.

Our set number of years isn't revealed to us, so don't assume just because you are 40 there's nothing left...no time to do with my life what I so dearly want. If one is breathing, there's time.

Write instead of watching TV, or when you take a rest break during the day. Get up an hour early if that's the only time you can find to devote to writing right now. But write!

There's an old saying that still hold true today as it did back when your grandmother was your age..."Where there's a will there's a way."

Rid your mind of negative thoughts, and that includes the ridiculous thought nagging you now, "Am I too old?" Hon, your never too old to fill a heart's desire. Keep in mind an unpublished work is not useless. Twenty years from now your child may find it packed away in a box, read it, and think of you in even a greater way.

Now get to that keyboard and get to work. I have to get back to finding an agent for my 3 finished manuscripts.

Answer 2

Hi, it's never too late -- take it from an older writer who has written on and off for decades, too. The fact that your head is filled with writing ideas and that you are taking time to write every day is fantastic -- keep it up! Not everyone can make enough money to live on with writing as a sole career, but don't let that discourage you. Throughout history, many of our greatest writers did something else to earn $ and keep body and soul together. As far as getting your writing published, think more locally than Writer's Digest -- submit something to your local paper, for instance. Remember, writing can be your career even if you have to hold another job in addition to your vocation as a writer. Good luck!

Answer 3

I am 43. Just over a year ago I finally got off my behind and put some of my poetry on a web site. I was amazed at the result. I talked to my family and told them of my lifelong dream of writing both poetry and stories (short and novels). With their encouragement I have started back to school and am taking a writer's course with the Long Ridge Writers Group. I couldn't be more happy with my decision. Yes, it is hard getting back into the swing of school and homework. It is hard to find the time to write with three kids, two dogs and a husband. But with every article and poem I finish the happier I am. The work I am doing with school is really helping me tighten up my writing and make it more effective and intresting.

Talk to your family. Explain your dream, let them help you!! Let your kids see you working for your dream. Keep writing every day. Get a notebook for all your ideas so they don't slip away. Look into some classes as well. They will help you learn about writing as well as all the stuff that goes with copyrights, submission letters, finding agents and all the bookwork, research and organizing you need to do behind the writing. Good luck!! See you in PRINT!!

Answer 4

I was at your point a couple of years ago. I took a professional writing class and my often published teacher told me to quit writing for a couple of weeks and start "collecting rejection slips." In other words, send out what I had written to as many places as possible and get an agent, but not quit my day job. I got an article published a month later and am writing a novel now. I got an agent and I write early in the morning before my family gets up.

Answer 5

As others have said: It's never too late.

I don't know about making a career out of writing, but it sounds like, published or not you're going to write. That's the first step.

Don't give up. Join a group. If there are no face to face groups in your area, go on line and look at http://www.pennwriters.org

This is a group founded and based in Pennsylvania but with member all over the states and Canada. There are eloops for questions and help on all aspects of writing and getting the help you need to hone your work until its ready to be published, and then they have all the advise you can use about agents and publishers--and promotion of your work. Pennwriters will not publish your work, they will not "get" you published, but the members will do everything in their power to help you along the bumpy road to that end goal.

There are a lot of advantages to belonging to a group like Pennwriters, Inc. they have critique groups and help with writing structure and advice, workshops (they are considering putting them on line), an annual Conference for networking with agents and publishers, editors and published authors (there are a lot of published authors among the membership and many were Pennwriters first). See if there's a group like this in our area.

As to age. I didn't feel "able" or "qualified" to be a writer until I turned 50, then my husband found out my private ambition and encouraged me to pursue it. I sold my first short story last month (14 years later). It's a beginning. I'm constantly submitting stories and queries for my novels, and I get a lot of rejections, but many have personal comments and encouragement.

I would write even if I didn't get published--after all I have a web site and I can "publish" my work there if I want... I would rather have it in a magazine or between covers on a bookshelf with a well known publisher's name near mine.

Good luck, visit my site and you can link to several other sites of interest to writers. http://www.wandakeesey.com

Answer 6

Hi there. No, it's never too late to get a book published. Heck, I just turned 60 and my first hardcover book came out last year. I spent 20 years editing, proofreading and ghostwriting for others and finally took the plunge with my own work. Much to my surprise, the FIRST major publisher who read it loved the book and bought it. Now I have a big NY agency handling the series, movie producers calling about film rights and very little time to do anything BUT write the next book. So, be careful what you wish for--it just might happen.

Good luck!

Jon Baxley
THE BLACKGLOOM BOUNTY (hardcover & eBook)
THE REGENTS OF RHUM (fall 2007)
THE SCIONS OF SCOTIA (summer 2008)

MySpace Profile: http://profile.myspace.com/jonbaxley

Answer 7

Never, never quit writing. Like you I was to busy raising a family and working to do so. I saved (only notes) of true stories that I felt had to be told one day. Retired with the computers help. (can't spell) I wrote two books.
History as it truely was. My own life with other stories I have saved for 40 years. All tied together with a family I call WEED.
If you like true stories check my site at www.wizeoldphart.com for a preview of "MY" books. True stories of kids growing up during the 40's and 50's. Pee your pants funny with a few tears. After the first book I had so many emails from my readers that I wrote the second. THE GOOD WEEDS and THE FAMILY WEED.
Thanks, Wayne

Answer 8

Television is produced to the lowest common denominator - i.e., the average IQ of the general public, whereas a written booklet is written to the highest common denominator

Answer 9

I love viewing television, The animal is enjoyed by me shows, the medical shows and the Judges and courtroom shows

Answer 10

Absolutely not! Writing as a career doesn't have an age limit anymore than painting or sculpting or any other art.

Just do it!