This week I heard from a female reader who, like me, was discouraged from taking a creative writing class in college. The e-mail went something like this. “I’m sixty-two years old and I’ve always wanted to be a writer. Is it too late for me?”
My initial reaction—a bad one—was to wonder, “Too late for what?” Too late to start writing? Let’s see, your fingers obviously still work as do both your brain and your computer. If you want to write, what’s stopping you? Write for Pete’s sake! Start now. How old will you be if you don’t start writing?
The thing is, at age 62 she’s probably learned one or two things along the way, important details of living that a newly graduated twenty-something MFA won’t learn for say … well … some forty years or so. If you have something you want to say, say it. Put it down in words. Let your kids read it and your friends and your grandkids. What you’ve written doesn’t have to be War and Peace to be interesting or meaningful to somebody else. What you really need to have is something to say and/or share, and it needs to be put down in black and white for all to see.
The “too late” part of the equation probably has less to do with the actual writing than it does with possible outcomes, as in: “Is it too late for me to become a best-selling author?” The truth is, for some of those shiny, fresh-off-the-factory-floor MFAs out there, it’s probably both too early and too late because they’re never going to make it big. Or even small because most writers don’t. Most of the people who call themselves writers earn less than $5000 a year from writing. By the way, if you do the math, that means they’re making WAY less than minimum wage but they’re doing it anyway for the love of writing.
So if this lady is hopes writing will be a way of augmenting her social security, it probably isn’t going to happen, although it could. Lightening could strike for her the same way it did for Helen Hooven Santmyer (here’s the Wikipedia Page) whose charming first novel, And Ladies of the Club, was published and became a mega hit bestseller when the author was in her eighties. It was her first published book. I read it in the early nineties when I came down with pneumonia and had to stay in bed for a couple of days! I loved the book so much that I barely minded having pneumonia!
But it wouldn’t have happened for her and won’t for my 62 year old correspondent if she doesn’t put her butt in a chair, her fingers on a keyboard, and go to work.
What I’m really trying to say here, is this. If you want to write, what’s stopping you? Don’t look at the date on your driver’s license and decide you’re too old to start. Write what you want to write. Write what you like to read. Say what you want to say and don’t even think about getting published. Think about learning to say what you want to say by using words on the page.
Once you do that, you may not be a PUBLISHED writer, but if you’re writing, you are a writer.
When I bought my first computer in 1983, David Graham, the guy who sold it to me, fixed it so that when I booted up in the morning, these are the words that flashed across the screen: A WRITER IS SOMEONE WHO HAS WRITTEN TODAY.
Nowhere in that statement do I see any fine print that says that if you’re over thirty-five or fifty-five or seventy-five, that you’re out of luck and shouldn’t even bother.
Someone else sent me an e-mail this week, a relatively new fan who is reading my books which he downloads from his local library in the city of York in the UK. He sent me a list of some of his favorite sayings. One really spoke to me: Success is found in cans; failure comes in can’ts.
Amen, brother. Preach on.
You know this is what I needed to hear this morning. Thank you . I will print this and use it to inspire myself when I have lost my focus. I love it when you get fired up !
My mother always told us there’s no such word as can’t. If you don’t think you can, then say “I will try.” and that will usually help you succeed.
I agree. I was 62 when I retired as a Revenue Agent for Washington State…and persued my true passion of writing a novel. I didn’t go with traditional publishing. I publish my novels (four and counting) through CreateSpace and I’m loving every minute. My husband says I am tenatious because I won’t stop until I figure out the bumps, lumps, and pitfalls of my own success. I may be a “starving artist” spending more than I’m making in my new found life, but I’m living the dream. And to sweeten the pot the reviews I recieve on my books are four or five star reviews. I’ve written poetry throughout my life…but my passion was to write a novel, and now I have four and working on number five…life just doesn’t get any better.
I love you! I completely love you! You are that one client i never forgot. I cut your hair once in Tucson. You inspire me. Thank you. God bless you.
I have found writing letters to the editors of my local newpapers fun. Usually they are printed with no editing. It is fun to see my name in print and also have folks say they enjoy reading them.
I keep a journal, too. Someday I’ll write a masterpiece, but not right now.
Thanks for the wise words. My first book was published in 2013, shortly before I had my 74th birthday. My latest is at the publisher now, and I expect it to be released soon. I will keep on chugging as long as I have something to say, and as long as someone wants to hear it. But I understand the trepidation of the lady who wrote to you. Self-doubt is an insidious thing, and it is NOT your friend.
I learn, laugh and love reading your blogs. It’s never too late applies to everything. I’ve been so encouraged by your health journey (I’m going for a long walk after I write this this morning.). I’m 69 and have been overweight since I was 40, when I quit smoking and used that as my excuse! My husband said to me the other day, “I never thought you would
be able to do with your weight what you’ve done.” I’ve lost 65 pounds in the last two years.
As I’m sure you know, once you accomplish one major change, you realize you can do anything you put your mind to. It feels so darn good! My attitude, health and productivity have all become positive achievements that I’m proud of. One proud builds on another proud, until you have the building blocks of pride!
I’m happy to receive your common sense wisdom and read your books. ?
You have no idea how hearing about YOUR health journey cheered me.
I’ve not kept track of all the bloggers who have written to say they have lost weight after reading about Ms. Jance’s success, but I’ll bet her doctor would be happy to know what a good example she is. I hope she’s told him. It’s not too late!!
Wise advice. And in this era of print-on-demand, it is relatively easy to publish your work — if only for yourself, family and friends. I edit manuscripts for folks like that, and their feeling of accomplishment inspires me.
I think that your never to old to do something that means a lot to you. Most of our elected goverment workers are older most of our Presidents are older. I remember how excited we were when Jack Kennedy and Bill Clinton were voted President because they were so young.Good luck to your fan maybe she’ll write such a good book we will all want to read it.
Have a great week.. Enjoy life and Prayers for all of usJan
I have read all your books and just finished Downfall. I think it was your best yet. Can’t wait for your next one.
Carol A. Jackson
Years ago, Starbucks printed quotes from either famous authors or famous Washingtonians on the coffee cups –I’ve kept your “A Writer is Someone Who Has Written Today” message on my desk for constant inspiration and a daily affirmation. Thank you!
I love it! After a typically verbose letter, a secretary once remarked, “You should be a writer” to which I replied almost automatically, “I AM a writer; I just don’t happen to be writing for publication at this point.” I am busy trying to make a living in the normal way; if that ever changes, I will undoubtedly go back to writing, because it’s a large part of who I am! Even just the journaling I do while ill brought giggles recently when rereading it. To use an old colloquialism, “either you IS or you AIN’T”; I’ve been a writer since I learned how to spell in grammar school, and can’t imagine ever not being one, of one sort or another!
Great piece, Judy! Very inspiring, with good quotes and beautifully thought out opinions. As you know I celebrated my 72nd birthday the same week as you did yours, and traditional publication of my first book, “Saddle Tramps,” this past summer. I have been writing for years, and been published in newspapers and magazines. but had not yet had a book published, let alone lied, until now.
I took the lady’s “too late” remark as meaning “to be published and/or recognized as a writer by others than yourself.”
However, I totally agree with your other opinion that if you write, you certainly can call yourselff a writer!