Is it too late to begin a career as a writer?

Question

I have worked all of my life and have also loved to read. I'm in my mid forties and I'll be able to retire in a few years. I really want to be a writer because I belives I have several stories inside me. Most authors I read about are young (20s and 30s) and have achieved prominence in their fields. They still have many years ahead ofr them to create more fine work. I'm getting older and feel if I start it'll take me
awhile to learn stuff and to get published. People tell me this is a pipe dream and say it'll take me a years to perfect my writing. Is there such a thing as TOO OLD to begin a career as a fiction writer? I'd appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Answer 1

Take it from me, I am 78 years old and began writing when I was 70. I wrote my autobiography, 500 pages, I enjoyed so so much I began to write novels, I completed four full length novels, two of which were Canadian Westerns. You are never too old. You should spend some time reading about sentence structure and learn how to use a good spell checker. Don't rush your work and read every sentence a few times to make sure it is the best you can do. I had no luck getting novel published but everyone who who read them really enjoyed them, that gave me a lot of satisfaction. If you enjoy westerns I would be pleased to e mail you one my novels.

Answer 2

NO not at all. Perhaps you don't know the story of James Patterson. He was the head ofd a NY advertising company. Coined the "I'm a Toys R Us Kid" ad campaign. Left the advertising world to pursue a dream of writing. Many authors wrote their first book later in life. Quite honestly, I would prefer to read a book by an older and more experienced author than some rot by a 20 year old who hasn't even been around the block yet. It floors me when I see contestants who came in 6th on American Idol and those shows writing autobiographies. Umm ... They didn't even win. Get writing. Sure, it may take time to perfect a style. One question I would ask you is are you an avid reader? Stephen King said in On Writing (which you should read by the way) that you cannot be a great writer unless you are a great reader. Also pick up a copy of The First Five Pages. It will help. I also recommend a novel called The Novelist - which details the writing process quite well. An enjoyable read too. Now go write a best seller!! Pax - C

Answer 3

There is no such thing as TOO OLD to write, or do anything else for that matter. But you have to write beause you love it and because it's in your blood, not to sell it.

I'm a screenwriter, and I'm 38. Believe it or not, that means they'll start age discriminating against me because I'm not "in the know" about what kind of stuff the target audience likes as far as clothing, music, pop culture and whatever else is "supposed" to go into the story.

Am I giving up? Hell no. I'm continuing to write what I know, and I'm continuing to put my screenplays into contests and what have you. I've even started a novel, the first one I've written since I wrote a Hardy Boys type thing back in college.

If you write what you know and you love what you write, chances are, it will be good enough for someone to discover it. They won't pay attention to your age while reading the manuscript -- and unless they can guess your age from your story or little clues you put in here and there without realizing it, they won't even know it was written by somebody "old."

Check out a book called The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler, and after you're done knowing that material backward and forward, sit down in front of a word processor and stare at a blank screen until your forehead bleeds.

Best wishes for a fine adventure you're embarking on, and above all, have fun.

Answer 4

The other thing you've got going for you in a writing career is the fact that you've lived through more stuff than those 20 and 30 year olds.
I'm 36 and working on my first books. Had I picked up pen and paper ten years ago I still wouldn't have anything finished due to life happening... you know, kids, marriage, divorce...things like that. Granted those 20 and 30 year olds might write some great stuff, they still only are stuck with writing what they know. If' they've never lived through the end of a serious relationship, can they write about it convincingly?

You've got lots in your favor, especially if you write well! Give it a shot.

Answer 5

You are NEVER too old to write!

One of my favourite childhood authors is a lady called Aileen Patterson. She began writing & illustrating at the age of 45, and is still going strong at 72!


Just write ~ about anything. Whether or not you get published should not be relevant.


But when you do write, do NOT:

Edit as you go along - you will never get anywhere.
Ask family or close friends to be your critics, unless you trust them to be honest and not spare your feelings.

DO:

Keep a notebook with you - you never know when you may get an idea.


If you really want to be published, try submitting short stories to magazines.

Get a copy of a book like The Writers & Artists Yearbook.
It lists publishers for books and magazines, and tells you what genres they all specialise in, and if they accept un-solicited manuscripts.


But most of all ~ Good Luck!

Answer 6

You're never to old to start writing. Give it a shot. You're not that old anyway. Go for it. You can't judge what's good for you based on others' successes (or failures) anyway.

And think about it. You'll be in the perfect position to write. You'll be retired--with an income hopefully--and be able to write as much as you want when you want.

Besides, regarding all those 20 and 30 somethings who are writers---you're never going to hear about the scores of 20 and 30 somethings who don't make a success of it. Age should not be a deterrent.

Answer 7

NO, of course you are not too old. I know of an author, Effie Leland Wilder, who got her first book published at the ripe old age of 85! She wrote a series of fiction books. The first one in the Fairacres series is called Out to Pasture. I highly recommend them.Ignore what critical people say. They are just too afraid to try.

Answer 8

For me it's not too late, and it's never be late. You still have time and you should start it now. Don:t waste your time. It's better to be late than never. It will not depend on what time you started something, what's more important is you continue & able to finished that work.
What have been started and not have been finished is worse than those who haven't started anything. So you should start now. Never let your dreams flown away. Don't have a painful regrets in the end.

Answer 9

of direction that is not too previous due! My first journalism interest grew to become into at 27. Many media agencies desire somebody with genuine international adventure. in accordance with what profession you're in now, you may try featuring a column or article discussing your modern container (to illustrate, "what that is prefer to be a real sources agent," or "waiting tables isn't for the timid"). I in basic terms comprehend American media, yet i could suspect in London additionally which you're good approximately anticipating a drop in salary. you have gotten extra success commencing out with newspapers. initiate sending in articles, columns, comments, despite you prefer to place in writing. yet my suggestion is: initiate small. seem for smaller community newspapers and area of interest magazines. those are extra usually searching for content fabric and extra usually open to new writers. as quickly as those papers and magazines run your products some circumstances, then you definately can start up off clipping them and getting a real portfolio at the same time. as quickly as you have a portfolio, you are able to present it to bigger markets and larger magazines. e mail me in case you prefer extra archives. reliable success!!

Answer 10

Dont let your age hold you back If you want to write do it. Who cares your age if your book is quality stuff then people will read it

Best Of Luck