Today’s (Optional) Writing Prompt: Have you reached the prime of your life? What do you want to be your legacy?
I've been writing as far back as I can remember, but I didn't start writing for publication until 2005. I was 28. I had my first short story published for pay, making me a professional writer in my own mind, around my 29th birthday. Do I wish I had started earlier? Sure. I was still happy to be able to say I got started writing in my 20s.
Writers, it's said, hit their stride in their 40s and 50s. I've published five novels now, but I'm just getting started. By no means do I feel as if I've already made my major contribution to world art and literature. This is just the appetizer. The main course is still on its way.
Some writers start even later in life. Anne Patchett's mom has written several successful novels now, and she spent most of her professional life as a RN. She was in her 60s before she decided to follow in her daughter's footsteps.
I still hope my mom will follow in my footsteps and write her vampire late-life romance novel. I want her to call it You Can Have My Vampire When You Pry Me From His Cold, Dead Hands.
Remember what Aaliyah said: "Age Ain't Nothing But a Number."
Anne Patchett's mom is Jeanne Ray. I couldn't remember it during my free write, but I looked it up afterward. I should be ashamed, because I met Ray at a literary event at my local library.
12 comments:
I'm getting my professional writing career started at the ripe old age of 42. I had poetry published in an eZine. Mostly, I write copy for pay. I've got two books in process. I believe the best of me is yet to come. Youth is wasted on the young. :)
This is such an awesome read. Thanks for sharing your experience and inspiring journey. I've always wanted to write a book but it wasn't until after some of my friends encouraged me that I am just about to start on writing one...thanks so much for this!
I'm finally starting to get paid for my writing, and I have to say, it feels fantastic. Any earlier in my life, I might not have appreciated it as much. So I'm grateful that it's happening at all.
You're never too old, age really is just a number! I know 30 year olds who feel 48 and 48 year olds who feel 30! :D
OH, I can't talk about what age I started writing for publication. I have written all my life, but let's just say I wasn't a spring chicken when I settled down to write my first novel. Good for you for getting an early start, Erin.
Age is just a number in my book. Whether you're 20 or 60, you've still got time to do what you want to do! Love this post!
My dream to write has been with me ever since I was little. It hasn't really left me and every now and then it resurfaces, but I have never really chased that dream further than writing down a few notes/ideas for stories here and there.
But I am working on that. It may not get published and I may not receive compensation for it, but that fact that I have actually accomplished my goal of WRITING the novel will make me happy. Even if it happens at 26 or 86.
Thanks for the inspiration. :-)
hey thanks for the follow im now following you back
Inspiring!
I guess I still have hope if I want to grow as a writer, huh? Thanks for sharing this, and good luck in all your future writing ventures!
I hope that my mom becomes an editor! If you pick up any book in her house- she has marked up every one of them with her corrections. I don't know why she hasn't tried to pursue it!
oh, aaliyah. are you that somebody? rip.
i feel it's much more important to embrace your stage rather than your age.
Good for you! I am just getting started at 41 but I'm not looking back at what I didn't do. Just trying to keep going forward.
I love this. Especially since I didn't start WRITING writing until 2.5 years ago. That means I have plenty of time to reach my writing prime.
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