Novelists who published first work after 40

pandora9 · Sep 3, 2005

Hi

I've just joined the forum. It seems lively, and members appear very committed to their art. Every time I look at the threads I learn something.

I have just made a commitment to my writing, after many years of fighting the demons of self doubt, inner critical voices, and sheer sloth. All I can say is something feels completely different about my process - I am writing daily, stacking up the pages of my first draft of my first novel, and loving it. I'm so excited.

I'm 45, and realise this makes me a late starter! For inspiration's sake, what writers to you all know of that published their first work late in life!

maestrowork · Sep 3, 2005

Our very own Liam Jackson got his 6-book deal with a major imprint and he's over 40.

(sorry for outing you, LJ)

(and I'm under 40)

cwfgal · Sep 3, 2005

I was exactly 40 when I sold my first novel.

Beth

James D. Macdonald · Sep 3, 2005

I was just under 40 (36) when I published my first novel.

willietheshakes · Sep 3, 2005

Well, seeing as we're steadily descending from 40...

I'll be 35 when my first novel pubs next year.

scribbler1382 · Sep 3, 2005

Robert Ludlum was 44 when he published his first novel. I think a few people have heard of him.

hoyateach · Sep 3, 2005

James Robert Waller ("Bridges of Madison County") was in his 60s when he published that book.

Cranked it out in 2 weeks, so rumor has...

aruna · Sep 3, 2005

I was 48 when my first was published.

I actually think older is better.

pandora9 · Sep 3, 2005

I'm inspired! Thanks.

OK. This is good stuff! You are all an inspiration to me. Thanks. I think older is better - for me at least. Congratulations to all of your for your commitment and powers of manifestation.

Sassenach · Sep 3, 2005

James Michener
P.D. James

Carlene · Sep 3, 2005

Me too - over 50. Never wrote a word until I was 38. Started with short stories, newspaper/magazine articles, etc. Didn't even start writing novels until I was in my late 40's. I'll write until I can no longer move my hands over the keys or see the computer screen.

Carlene
www.crdater.com

Greer · Sep 3, 2005

Harriet Doerr was 74 when she published her first novel, Stones for Ibarra. It won many prizes, including the National Book Award.

Cathy C · Sep 3, 2005

I was 42 when the first one came out. Now, two years later, I have three books on the shelf, and three more coming next year. Hang in there and stay inspired!

JoeEkaitis · Sep 3, 2005

50 or 51, depending on whether we make the Christmas or spring release window.

Torin · Sep 3, 2005

My first book came out in 2001 and I was 43.

azbikergirl · Sep 3, 2005

My first is being published this year. I'm 44.

For a long time, I thought my writing sounded juvenile. Now I know it does. (haha, j/k) Seriously, I think my writing has matured as I've gotten more wrinkles.

Pencilone · Sep 3, 2005

I'm 42 and still working hard on my first novel!

Good to see I'm not the only one over 40! :kiss:

nameless · Sep 3, 2005

Age is just a number. Keep on keeping on.

Avalon · Sep 4, 2005

Pandora, I identify! I'm 44 and working on finishing my first and starting my second manuscripts. This kind of thing has worried me, too! I'm glad to see there are other folks out there with the same experience (and good results, to boot).

(By the way: Jean Auel. She was 44 when Clan of the Cave Bear came out.)

pandora9 · Sep 4, 2005

Well done Avalon! It must be very exciting to be finishing your first novel.

I'm so looking forward to rewriting/second draft of my first. I am learning an unbelievable amount in the writing of my first draft that I will be able to apply. I am attempting to be very disciplined and not rework what I have written until I finish this first draft.

Did you find a quantum leap of any kind between your first and second novel?

pandora9 · Sep 4, 2005

Hi Carlene

Cor blimey (as they say in England - as least Dick van Dyke did once, I believe) ... That sounds like a useful addiction! Wish I that one, and could drop the nicotine.

pandora9 · Sep 4, 2005

Hi azbikergirl

Congratulations on your first novel coming out. What a feeling that must be! I dream of experiencing that one day.

pandora9 · Sep 4, 2005

I love the picture. Not sure about the griffin burger! Congratulations on the book.

I love these stories of success: They are moving to me, because I think I understand how much they must mean to individual - the blood, sweat and tears, and then YES!

kikazaru · Sep 4, 2005

Helen Hoover Santmyer, while she had always been interested in writing and had small successes, had started writing "And Ladies of the Club" when she was almost 70 and it took her 15 years to finish it. When she was 87 (and in a nursing home) it was published and sold 2 1/2 million copies and became a NY Times best seller.

"Time - our youth- it never really goes does it? It is all held in our minds"
Helen Hoover Santmyer

Susan Gable · Sep 4, 2005

I was 37.

And here's an inspirational quote for you from the book From Where You Dream by Robert Olen Butler.

p. 246: "There are no child prodigies in literature...and the great writers, at age twenty-two, are not going to have the vision of the world, or the emotional readiness, or the developed unconscious that they will have thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, or ninety." (And he said that to a class full of college students who were taking a writing workshop with him. Just after that quote he goes on to tell his students that means it's exciting for them, that they have a lot ahead of them and that they should be patient with themselves.)

Susan G.

Novelists who published first work after 40

Fear the Death Ray

On the rocks

Your Genial Uncle

Gentleman. Scholar. Bastard.

Write For You, Edit For The Reader

Dancing with limbo sticks

On a wing and a prayer

5 W's & an H

New kid, be gentle!

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

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Wandering vaguely

I really do look like this.

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Linda J. Daly

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Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales