Is writing a young person's game?

Shadow_Ferret · Nov 14, 2006

I've always heard that most of the entertainment media, writing, music, art, etc. is a young persons field. Meaning, most creative stuff is done by people in their 20s and 30s and that its rare for older people to be successful.

Are there any first-time writers out there who became successful as they entered their second half century of existence?

Momento Mori · Nov 14, 2006

Michael Cox who wrote The Meaning of Night is almost 60.

There was also a 70 year old writer who got a book deal last year for something he'd taken 10 years to write (and I'm struggling to think of his name or the title of the book but I do remember the news stories).

I'm sure there are many first time writers aged 40+ out there. In fact, isn't there a statistic (or damned lie) about how the majority of people who start to write do so at 30?

MM

C.bronco · Nov 14, 2006

Don't worry about it kid. Just do what you gotta do.

Gillhoughly · Nov 14, 2006

Is writing a young person's game?

No.

Scarlett_156 · Nov 14, 2006

Once I finish going through puberty, I'll let ya know.

NeuroFizz · Nov 14, 2006

Good stories sell. Do agents or editors ask that writers include their ages on their queries?

wordmonkey · Nov 14, 2006

On some level I always knew I was a storyteller, but I think I needed some years and mileage before I could actually do anything with that.

I wouldn't say I'm over the hill (still sub 40), but I don't think I had the maturity to do what I do now, before. I could tell a story, but I don't think I had the skill to weave in an underpinning theme with any degree of sophistication.

And for me, that's what's lacking in some young writers' work. That depth.

Not to say that it doesn't happen, but I like a little extra meat on the bones on my fiction and this is usually what's missing.

KTC · Nov 14, 2006

I'm not going to dignify this with an answer.

Zolah · Nov 14, 2006

Shadow_Ferret said:
I've always heard that most of the entertainment media, writing, music, art, etc. is a young persons field. Meaning, most creative stuff is done by people in their 20s and 30s and that its rare for older people to be successful.

Are there any first-time writers out there who became successful as they entered their second half century of existence?

Mary Wesley.

Simon Woodhouse · Nov 14, 2006

I hope not.

I've been writing for five years (I'm now in my late thirties). If those same five years had happened when I was in my twenties, I'm pretty sure my style of writing wouldn't be the same as it is now. This might sound a bit lightweight, but now feels like the right time to be doing it.

Writing isn't as 'age-ist' as either the music or movie industry because it's not such a visual medium. Besides the super-famous, most authors seem to remain anonymous (in so much as no one knows what they look like). That's fine with me, because I'm not much of a looker.

CaroGirl · Nov 14, 2006

Egads, I hope writing's not just for the young, or I'm SOL.

Mary Lawson published her first novel later in life. I cling to the faint hope that I can too.

RG570 · Nov 14, 2006

I wish it were a young person's game. But I've always thought older people had the advantage with writing.

I don't know squat about anything. I haven't been anywhere or done anything, and I imagine my writing would be better if I had.

Maybe you're thinking of the pop music world. That has nothing to do with art, or the ability to create. It's all about looks and image. I doubt that applies to authors.

PenelopePitstop · Nov 14, 2006

If you are very good at something... nuff said!

Shadow_Ferret · Nov 14, 2006

Well, I forgot where I heard it, but it was many years ago. They were pointing out the ratio of success among young writers versus old writers.

Another thing that brought this thought to light was, I was reading Stephen King's On Writing and there's a passage there (I don't have the book with me, so please bare with me) where he said something to the effect that he felt (while he was writing Carrie) that if he didn't succeed soon he didn't want to become this 50-year-old man who's still struggling.

Maybe one of the King afficianados can come up with the exact quote.

CaroGirl · Nov 14, 2006

Shadow_Ferret said:
... please bare with me...

Dirty old man.

Thankfully, although I might be struggling as a writer, I have managed to be successful in a bunch of other things (family and career, most notably). I think it would suck if you put all your eggs in one writerly basket and couldn't make it for decades.

peevy · Nov 14, 2006

It's funny--some people bash younger writers for relying solely on good marketing, and some people worry that older writers don't have it in them. I guess that means all of us are doomed.

But just to add to the panic, I have read that agents are reluctant to take on really old writers because they can't count on a decades-long writing career like you might be able to with a younger writer.

Still, if the work is good, does it matter? Age may be a factor, but I don't think it's a huge one.

Bubastes · Nov 14, 2006

Annie Proulx started writing fiction in her fifties.

Melanie Nilles · Nov 14, 2006

wordmonkey said:
On some level I always knew I was a storyteller, but I think I needed some years and mileage before I could actually do anything with that.

I wouldn't say I'm over the hill (still sub 40), but I don't think I had the maturity to do what I do now, before. I could tell a story, but I don't think I had the skill to weave in an underpinning theme with any degree of sophistication.

And for me, that's what's lacking in some young writers' work. That depth.

Not to say that it doesn't happen, but I like a little extra meat on the bones on my fiction and this is usually what's missing.

I culdn't agree more. If you want an example, take Eragon, written by a fifteen year old, at least at that time. Successful book (movie comes out next month) but there's an immaturity in the writing and a lack of depth that books by adults have. It's almost too simple--maybe that's why the second book, Eldest, is such a bore--he didn't have enough to keep it interesting so he put in a bunch of filler (IMHO, at least half of that one could be cut out and the pace would greatly improve). Just my opinion on it. I didn't dislike the story, but sometimes the writing style gets in the way of suspending my disbelief. It's the same problem you'll find with a lot of young writers. They just don't have the experiences to draw upon to add the depth they lack in characters and plot. In that respect, young writers write best for young readers. These are just my stated opinions, not facts.

I always knew I wanted to write, but even ten years ago I was just starting to see the world in a broader context while finishing college. Now, I find that my stories have a depth in them, whether overt or stated, and my characters are more believable, because I have had years of life experience and education behind me. I've looked back on what I wrote ten or more years ago and cringed. Needless to say that I've stopped doing that.

Melanie

stormie · Nov 14, 2006

A young author (repped by a top agent) posted something similar on her blog awhile ago. She's twenty and stated something to the effect of, only us young people could write YA (young adult). Older people just don't get it. That part of her blog was taken down soon after, by her.

Maybe Judy Blume contacted her??

TrainofThought · Nov 14, 2006

Shadow_Ferret said:
Are there any first-time writers out there who became successful as they entered their second half century of existence?

There was an article in the NYT yesterday regarding Anne Porter. She has her poetry published and she is 95 years old. Another poet by the name of Donald Hall said, “Poems are made for others to read but made out of silence and solitude, and perhaps there is more silence and solitude in the world of the old.” I love this comment. Not saying that you’re old, I’m just pointing this out.

You can write about anything you want. What you don't know, you can look up.

Shadow_Ferret · Nov 14, 2006

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shadow_Ferret
... please bare with me...

CaroGirl said:
Dirty old man.

Ha! Originally I had "bear," but I kept looking at it going, no, that's the animal. So I knew either way someone would call me on it.

sfecphory · Nov 14, 2006

Every now and then the news vomits up "facts" like these for us to chew on.

Most people in the entertainment industry are young. Okay. How many of those young writers/producers are in full control of their work, how many of them make the final call on suggested changes, and how many of them own what they produce? This information is left out. Then, months later, the news will show us the exact opposite information: power players in Hollywood (or publishing) are the same people as before: Tom Cruise, Stephen King, Spielberg, etc. Old and getting older.

I wouldn't worry about author's ages; worry about your character's dilemma and development.

Richard Armour · Nov 14, 2006

Great question! Love some of the responses!!!
:roll:

I suppose it depends on so many levels.
I began writing when I was 11 years old, but I was rubbish back then. Not much better now, but I finished my first book when I was 36 so not exactly young but still a way off 50.

To be honest; should age make any difference?? I'm not convinced. I look at someone like Clive Cussler and James Patterson. 2 very prolific and mega successful authors and they are both over 50.

Ignore your age; let the pen or finger upon keyboard flow and enjoy the whole process.

Life is too short not to seize it with both hands.

GPatten · Nov 14, 2006

Luis L’Amour 1908-1988
Margerie Kinman Rawling 1896-1953
Raymond Chandler wrote his first screenplay at 56. He didn't even publish his first novel until he was 51. For the record, he wrote the original screenplays for 'Double Indemnity' and 'Strangers On A Train.'

In 1939, after F. Scott Fitzgerald's career as a novelist had faltered, he needed money fast. He went to Hollywood and found work as a screenwriter. He was 43 years old. William Faulkner wrote his first screenplay at 48.

William Goldman is pushing 70; David Mamet is 53;

Marc Norman, are no spring chickens. Norman is closer to 60 than 50

Tom Stoppard turns 64 this year.

How old is Stephen King and Tess Gerritsen?

The Ageism factor is pretty easy to understand. Somehow, older (and presumably wiser) isn't necessarily better or smarter. In Hollywood think, a 23-year-old will write a more commercially viable script than a 43-year-old or 53-year-old. They might be right, if the plot has to do with high school or college kids ('American Pie,' 'Road Trip' or any Freddy Prinze Jr. movie). But when it comes to stories with depth and weight, I think it's fair to say that age and life experience will supercede youth and inexperience.

http://www.writersstore.com/article.php?articles_id=5

jpserra · Nov 14, 2006

I was born in 51, but I'll let you know when I'm done being 15.

John Serra

Is writing a young person's game?

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