Random Questions From a Newbie

NanciBlock · Aug 8, 2008

I'd like to apologize in advance if these questions have been asked a million times over. I do appreciate the wisdom and patience of veteran AW members when dealing with newbies!

1. Not meant to offend in any way, shape or form - Am I too old for this? Writing has always been my dream, and I did a lot of it in high school and college, even managing to thrill myself by getting published in some small literary journals. Writing ceased during my twenties for various reasons. I just turned 30, and some days I feel like it is too late to start writing a novel. If I want to publish, and be semi-successful, am I too old to just be beginning? I know that 30 is not old - I did not deal with 30 well and am having a slight crisis about it. Sorry!

2. I am a creature of routine, habit and structure. Any advice for daily writing goals and/or routines?

Thanks!

C.M.C. · Aug 8, 2008

No, you're not too old to start out. There's never an age where you can effectively write off your chances of success.

alleycat · Aug 8, 2008

No, you're not too old. There's plenty of examples of people who didn't write or publish anything until they were older.

One that comes to mind is Raymond Chandler, author of such classics as The Big Sleep and Farewell, My Lovely. He got his first short story published in a pulp magazine when he was 45.

eveningstar · Aug 8, 2008

NanciBlock said:
1. Not meant to offend in any way, shape or form - Am I too old for this? Writing has always been my dream, and I did a lot of it in high school and college, even managing to thrill myself by getting published in some small literary journals. Writing ceased during my twenties for various reasons. I just turned 30, and some days I feel like it is too late to start writing a novel. If I want to publish, and be semi-successful, am I too old to just be beginning? I know that 30 is not old - I did not deal with 30 well and am having a slight crisis about it. Sorry!

I just turned 30, myself. My first novel that's any good is still under construction, and has been for over a year.

In a lot of ways, I feel like I'm in a better position to write now than I was in my 20s. My 20s were tumultuous and crazy and really about figuring out who I was. My 30s will (hopefully) be about *being* who that is. And I have more life experience to draw on now, as well.

And I believe it was Aaliyah who said "age ain't nothing but a number."

Prozyan · Aug 8, 2008

In professional sports age matters.

Not so much in writing.

2. I am a creature of routine, habit and structure. Any advice for daily writing goals and/or routines?

Personally, I don't believe in arbitrary daily goals. I have a set time I *like* to start work, but no set number of words or pages to complete. Sometimes I write for all of 15 minutes, other times for a few hours. So I'm not sure I'd be much help in the schedule department.

I do know of some writers that set hard writing times and stick to them religiously. I have a friend that writes for exactly two and a half hours, four days a week. If she is mid-sentence at the end of those two and half hours she stops. Its freaky to me, but works for her. Best advice: experiment around some and find what works for you.

Toothpaste · Aug 8, 2008

1. Enjoy that writing, while more and more these days is falling prey to the cult of the young and beautiful, is still one of the few careers left where age and experience actually count for a lot. It is also a career you can begin at any age, and find success in at any age. Also . . . 30 is just so not too old for anything.

2. If you like routine, habit and structure, create for yourself a routine habit and structure. Find a time of day, or several times of day that suit you to write. Figure out your daily routine and stick to it like a 9 - 5 job. Get up, have breakfast, check email, go for a jog, write 1000 words. Have lunch. Check email. Write 1000 words. etc.

Word goals work for some (including myself), others find it too constricting. You also need to know your own writing habits, how fast you write, do you outline or not. Spend some time getting to know yourself as an artist. And don't get frustrated if your first few attempts at a routine fall flat. It will come together eventually.

BlueLucario · Aug 8, 2008

The only time you're too old to write is when you die of old age.

Marian Perera · Aug 8, 2008

I write better at 32 than I did at 22.

Jersey Chick · Aug 8, 2008

NanciBlock said:
I'd like to apologize in advance if these questions have been asked a million times over. I do appreciate the wisdom and patience of veteran AW members when dealing with newbies!

1. Not meant to offend in any way, shape or form - Am I too old for this? Writing has always been my dream, and I did a lot of it in high school and college, even managing to thrill myself by getting published in some small literary journals. Writing ceased during my twenties for various reasons. I just turned 30, and some days I feel like it is too late to start writing a novel. If I want to publish, and be semi-successful, am I too old to just be beginning? I know that 30 is not old - I did not deal with 30 well and am having a slight crisis about it. Sorry!

Ack! Are you too old?!?!? :e2faint:

Just kidding - no - it's not too old. Why, you're just a young whippersnapper!

-

2. I am a creature of routine, habit and structure. Any advice for daily writing goals and/or routines?

Check out Uncle Jim's novel writing thread - one of his routines is to write for two hours every day, no matter what (and revising does NOT count). As for me, I'm not disciplined enough. I write when I write. Sometimes it's every day, sometimes it isn't. It happens. Do what works for you.

Thanks!

Sure!

Bufty · Aug 8, 2008

Too old? What!!!!??? At 30?

I was more than twice that before I started my first novel!

Open up a page -Type Chapter One and discover to what wonderful places your fingers and imagination can lead you.

hmmm :snoopy:

Cybernaught · Aug 8, 2008

I can't recall her name, but there is an author who published her first book while staying in her retirement community.

You're never too old to start writing.

ejket · Aug 8, 2008

Is thirty too old? Well, I'm 54 in a couple of months, and I'm looking forward to another thirty years or so of writing.

gypsyscarlett · Aug 8, 2008

NanciBlock said:
I'd like to apologize in advance if these questions have been asked a million times over. I do appreciate the wisdom and patience of veteran AW members when dealing with newbies!

1. Not meant to offend in any way, shape or form - Am I too old for this? Writing has always been my dream, and I did a lot of it in high school and college, even managing to thrill myself by getting published in some small literary journals. Writing ceased during my twenties for various reasons. I just turned 30, and some days I feel like it is too late to start writing a novel. If I want to publish, and be semi-successful, am I too old to just be beginning? I know that 30 is not old - I did not deal with 30 well and am having a slight crisis about it. Sorry!

2. I am a creature of routine, habit and structure. Any advice for daily writing goals and/or routines?

Thanks!

Hmmm...let's see. What is the average life span nowadays? Eighty-odd years or so? That would mean you have about 50 years. You can spend those fifty years doing what you love and trying new things you want to do- or you can spend the fifty years just thinking about things you want to do.

This is my way of saying- don't be silly!!!!! :Lecture:

And welcome to AW. :welcome:

Beach Bunny · Aug 9, 2008

Anne McCaffrey published her first work when she was in her mid-forties. She's in her mid-eighties now and still writing and getting published. So, no, you aren't too old to begin a writing career. The older you get the more life experience you have to draw on for your stories. And that is a good thing.

Birol · Aug 9, 2008

NanciBlock said:
1. Not meant to offend in any way, shape or form - Am I too old for this? Writing has always been my dream, and I did a lot of it in high school and college, even managing to thrill myself by getting published in some small literary journals. Writing ceased during my twenties for various reasons. I just turned 30, and some days I feel like it is too late to start writing a novel. If I want to publish, and be semi-successful, am I too old to just be beginning? I know that 30 is not old - I did not deal with 30 well and am having a slight crisis about it. Sorry!

Oh, puh-lease. Thirty is the age where many of the doors that were previously closed to you first open. You're old enough that people take your whims seriously and don't poo-poo them as "just being young," and young enough to make most of them happen.

2. I am a creature of routine, habit and structure. Any advice for daily writing goals and/or routines?

This will serve you well. Set up a routine regarding your writing until it becomes a habit. You must make writing a priority. If you don't, it won't happen.

Phoebe H · Aug 9, 2008

Personally, one of the things that I hold onto is that James Tiptree, Jr didn't even attempt to write a story until after turning 50.

jannawrites · Aug 9, 2008

NanciBlock said:
... Am I too old for this? ... I just turned 30...

I hope not, because I'll be 30 in a couple months!

Good luck to you.

jkcates · Aug 9, 2008

NanciBlock said:
I'd like to apologize in advance if these questions have been asked a million times over. I do appreciate the wisdom and patience of veteran AW members when dealing with newbies!

1. Not meant to offend in any way, shape or form - Am I too old for this? Writing has always been my dream, and I did a lot of it in high school and college, even managing to thrill myself by getting published in some small literary journals. Writing ceased during my twenties for various reasons. I just turned 30, and some days I feel like it is too late to start writing a novel. If I want to publish, and be semi-successful, am I too old to just be beginning? I know that 30 is not old - I did not deal with 30 well and am having a slight crisis about it. Sorry!

2. I am a creature of routine, habit and structure. Any advice for daily writing goals and/or routines?

Thanks!

Never too old. Of course there is..... I guess you could call it an age bias amoung a lot of publishers. Meaning they like the idea of a "fresh faced" young prodigy. However, capitalism being what it is, publishers want to make money. If you write something that will do that, they could care less how old, short, cranky, unkempt, etc. (you get the idea) one might be.

Just an opinion, good luck

ishtar'sgate · Aug 9, 2008

NanciBlock said:
1. Not meant to offend in any way, shape or form - Am I too old for this? I just turned 30, and some days I feel like it is too late to start writing a novel. If I want to publish, and be semi-successful, am I too old to just be beginning?

Man, oh man, I hope not!

My first novel wasn't published until I was...well, older than that by a long shot. It's never too late. I know of writers who were writing and being published well after their 80th birthdays. So, do you have a story idea? Something you're dying to write?If you like a structured life then you'll probably find out what works best for you. When my kids were small I'd get up at 4:00 am and write until I had to pack them off to the sitters and go to work. I'd steal a bit of time on my lunch hour and then again in the evening. Now I can work as I please and mornings are best for me - phone OFF - internet OFF.
Linnea

Cathy C · Aug 9, 2008

1. I penned my first word at 35. I'm 46 now and have almost a dozen books/anthologies on the shelf. It's never too late to start!

2. I found I wrote better in the mornings. You might be different. But I would go to work an hour early (I worked in an office with computer access) and type until start time. This is provided that a) your boss doesn't care; and b) you have a key.

It worked well for the first three books. Then I did a stint of writing full time. I'm back to the morning thing now, and it still seems to be working okay.

StephanieFox · Aug 9, 2008

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! If you think 30 is old, just you just wait. :tongue

I didn't graduate journalism school until I was older than you. My class had a 50 year-old in it. Writing isn't Olympic gymnastics. It's more like Olympic equestrian events – you can be really old and still do well.

Welcome! Now go write your daily roster of words.

Quossum · Aug 10, 2008

1. Holy crumoly, I just turned 39 on Friday. Thirty ain't old!

2. I'm a believer in having some kind of discipline concerning writing. Whether you set it in time ("I'll write for an hour before bed") or in output ("I'll produce at least two pages a day") is up to you. I don't knock myself out if I don't meet my goal for a couple of days due to other activities going on in my life, but I try to keep at it.

--Q

RJK · Aug 11, 2008

Nancy, you're just beginning to live. I turned 62 this year and retired so that I could write full time. I completed my first novel a few months ago and I'm nearly done with the first draft of WIP #2. Now the hard part begins, getting it published.

As someone already said, the older you are, the more life experience you have to draw upon.

NanciBlock · Aug 11, 2008

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the outpouring of responses! I love this community so much already.

Turning 30 was a not-so-fun experience for me. I know that makes many of you want to gag, but I took it hard. I think it is mostly because I never finished college. And while I know it is never too late, I honestly don't have the desire to finish college, other than to remove the self-imposed stigma of not having a degree. What I want to do is write.

I have a complete outline of one novel, with four chapters written, and I think it is fairly decent. I have another concept shouting in my ear to be outlined - what do I do with that??? Wait until I have finished project 1 or outline it to stop the shouting?

I also want to sit down and spend some time on short stories, because I think they hone the skills and craft of writing better than anything.

Cathy C said:
1. I penned my first word at 35. I'm 46 now and have almost a dozen books/anthologies on the shelf. It's never too late to start!

2. I found I wrote better in the mornings. You might be different. But I would go to work an hour early (I worked in an office with computer access) and type until start time. This is provided that a) your boss doesn't care; and b) you have a key.

It worked well for the first three books. Then I did a stint of writing full time. I'm back to the morning thing now, and it still seems to be working okay.

Cathy - thanks for this awesome suggestion. I can get into my job early, and this solves the problem of being distracted at home. I will definitely try this out tomorrow morning - armed with a triple venti Starbucks, of course, since I am SOOO not a morning person.

HeronW · Aug 11, 2008

What do you love to do? If it's write then you can do it til you drop. Why wait? Life's too short to do what you don't like. Take courses, join writing groups, read what you love, and write :}

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