Age Differences in novels

[aspiringwriter]

Hello everyone..maybe this can go here, but not sure...anyway my question is:

Do you think age differences in novels are a good thing or bad thing? Maybe I should explain it further. I am currently working on a mystery novel and about to finish the first (of a series) and will be starting my second one... In this second novel, the main Character is about 34 and his "love" interest in in her early fifties... Would that work or do you have younger/older or older/younger couples in your stories??

[Perks]

It works if you make it work! ;)

Seriously, there shouldn't be a fundamental problem with that scenario. You just have to sell us on it or not, whichever suits your story!

[scribbler1382]

I think it would depend more on the characters individually than the number of their ages. I know people in their 30's who act like they're near death. I also know people in their 70's who love life and look incredible. So I guess my vote would be to stay away from stereotypes.

[aspiringwriter]

Perks...I will definitely sell the idea...

Scribbler...Thanks :) It does have to do with individuality... What I am asking though is that does anyone have characters with major age differences in their novels?

[reph]

If anyone else does, then it has proved to be commercially acceptable. If no one else does, then you have an original idea. Conclusion: it doesn't matter.

[triceretops]

My protag in the first book is 38 and his love interest is 45.

Second book guy 40 falls for 18-year-old girl but has tremindous reservations about it.

Just make us believe. No prob.

Tri

[Valona]

Ever hear of "Harold and Maud?" They made a dumb movie out of it. At least it was dumb in my mind. Harold was about 18 and Maud was about 80 and supposedly they fell in love and had an illicit affair.

I guess you could say it worked for someone. Just not me.

[loquax]

In mine a twenty-year-old goes for a sixteen-year-old girl. Not much of an age difference, but perhaps more taboo.

[Mike Coombes]

A good story should refleect life, and maybe say something about it. Age differences appear in the real world, so why not in your novel?

[Cathy C]

Let's see, my first one had the man at nearly 40 and the girl at 19. But it was an historical, set in the 1800s, which was common.


Now, in FANTASY, it's a piece of cake. Our paranormal has a different species that looks human who are very long lived. So one of them has the man at over 100 (but he looks like 25) and the girl at 22.

I don't think there's any problem with a 15-20 year age difference, frankly. There is a blossoming line of "mature love" books. I'll try to find a link to one. I think Dorchester is starting an imprint for heroines over 35, but can't remember for sure.

Once people are above 30, age doesn't matter that much anymore if the people love each other. JMHO, but GO FOR IT! :)

[Cathy C]

Ah ha! I found one of them. Harlequin has a new imprint called NEXT that features older heroines who find twists in the love path. Certainly a younger man and becoming involved in a mystery would qualify. Here are the guidelines:


http://www.eharlequin.com/cms/learntowrite/ltwArticle.jhtml?pageID=040712wu01001

[LightShadow]

Shake it up and wake them up. The industry wants originality, and if you want to stick unlikelies together, go for it.

[aspiringwriter]

Thank you all for your responses... :)