Publish Your First Book After 50
Those are the words that popped into my email inbox last week. If that isn't an omen I don't know what is. See, I came into this writing thing a bit earlier than some but much later than most. And to make matters worse, one year before deciding to write romance, I went back to college. Not the best timing in the world, but in my life that's pretty typical.
So in 2007 I really threw myself into this writing thing. Joined RWA National and my local chapter. Enrolled in some ecourses and attended some workshops. Attended my first conference, entered my first contest and started blogging. After all that, I should at least have a rough first draft, right? Wrong.
While I was spending a great deal of time and money on the craft of writing, the writing went to the back burner. But I've finally given myself permission not to feel guilty about that. You see, life is messy. And random. And unpredictable. But most of all, if we're lucky, life is long and doing things in a hurry isn't always the answer.
It's not that I want to publish my first book after 50, but publishing my first book after 40 (which is much closer than I'd like) is not the end of the world. Right now, I'm taking one day at a time, making some of the best friends I'll ever have, and writing a story that makes me smile, albeit slowly. Right now, that's enough.
Did you come to writing a bit late? Do you feel pressure to publish right away or are you giving yourself a chance to enjoy the ride? How have you fit writing into your life and still managed to have a life? Have you set a "getting published" deadline for yourself?
Oh, and here's a little tidbit from the article for inspiration…
"And take inspiration from the Bangladeshi writer Nirad Chaudhuri. His first book, The Autobiography of an Unknown Indian, was published in 1951, when he was 54 years old. Its sequel hit the market in 1988, when he was 90. And his final book, Three Horsemen of the New Apocalypse, was published in 1997—when he was 100."
Books by the Crew
77 comments:
You know, even though I've come to writing early I do feel pressure to get published soon. I suppose it's because writing is the only job I want. I honestly can't think of anything that would make me more happy. But I'm taking it all one day at a time. If I'm meant to get published soon then it will happen. If not, at least I'll know I tried. And I'll definitely keep trying.
I started out with a deadline to get published. But gave up quickly when the rejections started piling up for the first book. I still had a lot to learn back then, and I'm sure I still have a lot to learn.
I will get published, and I have to say, it'll happen when it happens.
Chin up Ter! And stop with the old thing! You aren't that close to 30.. you got years! And YEARS AND YEARS!
When I look at the authors' photographs in the back of the books, when I consider the ages of my wonderful friends the Vixens and the Pirates, I feel a tremor in my old, palsied hand. Terri, you don't know what old is, baby. But like Tiff says, if it happens, it happens. I can't regret any of the decades I spent not writing. If there are any agents or publishers out there, I know I've still got some good years left, LOL. I bring wisdom and experience to my wips...now, if only I could remember how to have sex....just kidding, honey.
I think I came to writing the way a lot of other writers have come to writing; the round about way.
I've always wanted to write. I think one of the main reasons I majored in English was because I knew it would help me with my writing.
Oh, and I'm a dork and love every book I've ever read (except the Red Pony. Oh and anything else by Steinbeck).
But, then I got a "real" job and then another one and I got married and had a baby and I could never find the "right" time to get serious. I started wondering if I would ever have the time. After my dad passed away I started really hearing his naggy voice in my head reminding me of all those naggy dad things he used to say. "No time like the present." "Hard work is the answer."
Oh, and the one that's the loudest: "Make people laugh." (A version of his credo of younger years and advice for my older brother, "if you can make a girl laugh, you can get in her pants.")
And now here I am.
Terri, my dear, you are a mere infant in years and in writing time. And publication will be sweet whenever it comes.
If I let myself think about age, it paralyzes me as a writer. We all have a finite amount of time. Do I wish I had started writing romance fiction earlier? Yes, I wish I had been that courageous, but I cannot change chices already made. All I can do is work at being a more disciplined, more productive writer NOW. All of you young'uns help me do that. You also make me feel younger and more hopeful, and I learn much from you.
I don't have a deadline to be published, just deadlines to keep me writing. If it happens, hurrah for me! If it doesn't, the ride is a whale of a lot of fun.
Even though I've been "writing" since I was in high school, I've been writing seriously for a lot less time than that. There was that whole wife, mother, career woman thing that I couldn't see past for a while there. I started down the publishing road with some short stories and poetry. When I started writing my first book, I didn't even think I'd finish it, and I never thought I'd be comfortable enough with it to submit to anyone...but we all have to take the leap at some point, so here I am.
I realized I wrote 30... but I'm sure that's okay.. you are technically years from 30...lol! But you have many years before 40, missy.
Kelly - That is probably the most difficult part of this thing. You want to write for a living but getting to do is so out of your control. It's not like you can put on your best outfit, go to an interview and suddenly you're a writer. But wouldn't it be nice if that's how it worked? :)
Tiff - I'm sure you meant to type a 40 there. LOL! And even with those rejections - which signify tremendous progress and accomplishment - isn't it fun to see how much you've learned since you opened that first blank file? I know that's one of the parts I'm liking.
Four, Tiff. FOUR!
Wait, EEEK! THREE AND A HALF!
LOL!
Maggie - Palsied hand my foot. LOL! You're one of the most prolific of our bunch! I don't even think the Captain has as many WIPs as you though I'm sure it's close. You have decades of best sellers ahead of you!
Marnee - First off, you're dad sounds great! Do you think that's working for your brother? LOL! I admit, if a guy can make me laugh, he's hard to resist. Though I don't know about the pants part.
Interesting how that "get a job" thing steers us off course. Though, admittedly, this was never my intended course. LOL! Coming from a "lower income" background (read: poor), I think most of my adult years were just about surviving. And when you're in that mode, you can't think of anything but finding the stability of the regular paycheck. Nothing wrong with that.
And I'm sure you're dad is smiling because you never fail to make people laugh! It's that *witchcraft* you do. ;)
I am not sure the advice helped my brother. Married now with a daughter. LOL! But, it definite made me weary of witty men. Ha ha!!
Isn't it true about the jobs!? Seriously, if we all could just be independently wealthy....
And I hope my dad is smiling where he is. I'd expect he's hanging out where all the souls go, smoking a cigarrette, drinking a beer, and charming his way into beating everyone at poker.
I've heard 40 is the new 30?
Janga - You are such a doll. The wonderful thing about you, and I'm positive this was as true of you right out of college as it is now - you have so much knowledge, imagination, and eloquence in that mind of yours. Your prose is gorgeous and that has nothing to do with age. As we can see by this article and the many examples out there, age doesn't mean a thing!
But do you think you could have written with as much depth and understanding of the human condition when you were 25 as you can now? I kind of think a bit of life experience enhances the story.
I've heard that Marn. I cling to that. LOL!
But honestly, I wouldn't go back to my 20s for all the money in the world. Ok, that's an exaggeration but you get what I mean. And the teens? Oh, Hell NO!
J.K - Here you are - PUBBED! - and we're so happy to have you. LOL! And you still have that career, hubby and kiddo in addition to all your success. True inspiration, my girl.
This wasn't supposed to be some "pity me I'm old" blog. LOL! It's more about the atmosphere among aspiring authors right now. Or the vibe I get anyway. It's write write write!/get it out there now!/hurry hurry hurry!
Anyone else get this or just me? I understand enthusiasm and desire for publication but I don't think the rush is always the way.
I think that everyone has to follow their own heart. I am ready right now for write, write, write, though I wouldn't have been three years ago. And maybe my pace will slow down soon. Maybe next year you won't be able to focus on anything but write, write, write and will be pushing yourself hard and maybe I'll be slowing down.
We just gots to roll with it. And whatever our pacing, just keep going.
Eek, the teens. Especially the early teens. Eek....
Marnee, I think I would have really liked your Dad:)
And Terri, yes, it would be so fantastic if agents let us interview! But I'd probably be so nervous I'd stutter.lol.
Oh, and, I heard 60 is the new 40(Oprah Said it so it must be true.lol). So that makes 40 the new 20?
Does that mean I'm not old enough to drink? LOL!
I started seriously writing at 40. If not for the introduction to fanfiction I wouldn't be writing now. I enjoyed writing in high school, but left the desire behind when I graduated. I've been reborn in more ways than one:) I think writers are timeless at any age. My writing evolves with my life. I look as it as a discovery journey, and I don't set goals or timetables, I just try to enjoy.
Lisa - I always forget I'm not the oldest crew member. LOL! It is true that 40 is not as old as it used to be. Sometimes it feels as if life is just starting to get good.
I think old is a state of mind. So ,to me, on the internet, you all come across as young. I'm always shocked when you guys mention age.
I'd love to publish a book before I turn 50. That's my dream. However, it's the journey, the 'process' of understanding voices inside of our heads that matters most. Little discoveries made along the way, discoveries about humanity, emotional suffering, triumph, celebrations of commitment and HEA's that lead us. We take our journey and wield our voice, giving our words a spin on life to encourage those around us. If my voice is heard or not, that will not negate the fact that I took the journey, that I strived to connect with the world and longed to share what I've learned.
Being older, I understand the rush. Believe me I feel it, especially when I see writers younger than I am getting requests for fulls or selling their first ms. It makes me wonder if I've missed my chance. But who and where would I be without the experiences I've had? I wouldn't trade my family or devoting my time to my kids for anything in the world.
I'm starting late but so have many prolific, successful authors. (Thanks for the example you gave us. Inspiring.) We're pirates, wenches! We board a ship, chart a course for adventure and sail across the sea to collect a golden prize. But where would a pirate be if he/she didn't enjoy the journey? There will be time to carouse, drink and be merry. For then, surely our ship of riches will have come in.
Now see, Kathy, that comment shows why you're a writer. Beautifully put. Especially love that part about not getting pubbed doesn't mean I didn't take the journey. Sometimes it's just not about the destination.
Though if you really think about it, getting pubbed isn't necessary a destination either. Heck, that's just the beginning of the next leg of the journey!
Kelly - we ARE young. Keep thinking that and ignore all the numbers. LOL! And if you're only as old as you feel, then I'm barely out of the schoolroom!
Thanks, Terrio! Ah, the journey. Sometimes I do want to grab it by the neck and wring it until it's dead. Those days aren't fun. :-(
Feeling young. The old noggin says, "Hey, you're only 19!" My daughter and her friends say "You'll never get old!" I may act young but the mirror, well... that's another story. Or for that matter, the aches and pains that continue to flaunt the truth. :-)
I'm just enjoying the ride. If I get published, I get published. I just like to write. Writing for me right now is not about getting published, it's about doing it for me. Eventually I'll worry about it but I started out writing fan fiction for the sheer joy of putting words down. Never thought about getting published. Or going to conferences or joining critique groups. That was all just recent. So I really haven't wrapped my head around publishing yet.
Am I the only one thinking Marnee's Dad is up in Heaven trying to make some girl laugh?
Kathy - you just had to mention the mirror and the aches and pains. Couldn't leave that alone. LOL! I remember never feeling older than 19 until I hit 30. But then I was happy because I finally felt like I could watch Oprah and understand what they heck they were talking about.
I've been mistaken for the mother of some of my friends on more than one occassion. Friends a few years younger and one a little older. Excuse me if I don't like to talk about the mirror. LOL!
Wow, class, Terri brought the Grim Reaper for Show & Tell. Beware of his sythe will you, we don't have insurance...
Well, being that I planned to go to college (to delay having to work in the salt mines) and polish up my English (I am from Missouri, our version of it is a bit skewed), then immediately publish my first brilliant romance right out of college (thus effecting I never *had* to have a *real* job), write full time, and go on glamorous book tours....BEING this wild Tolkien fantasy did not come to fruition, mainly due to lack of discipline on my part and an inability to finish a WIP, this did not happen. I revamped it to "Well, so long as I do it by 30" since as everyone knows, when you're 21, 30 is decrepit--and pushing it. Because no one wants to hear about sex written by someone in their 30s, nasty.
Only now I'm 33--and I'm still not published--still due to some lack of discipline on my part, an inability to finish most of my WIPs, and lack of research in...the sex. I'm sure it's the last reason more than the other two.
I'm looking forward to the 40 being the new 30. I'm really pushing for that. *LOL*
Sin - you don't have to show us all up with your superb attitude! LOL! It's bad enough you're tall and gorgeous and kick all our asses. Give us something to cling to, damn it.
Hellion - The point is that you're not published YET! And once your discipline catches up to your brilliant talent, we'll be upgrading this ship to a luxury yacht! Thanks to your incredible sales, thankyouverymuch.
It wasn't because you LOOKED like our mother. It was because you were NAGGING like our mother.
And being my right shoulder is killing me today, I think my 86 year old father is feeling younger than I am right this minute. Actually he's probably still lounging around in bed since they had the baseball game cranked up as loud as it would go last night, at midnight. (Thank GOD, for earplugs.)
I have a feeling he's trying more than that but I didn't want to skeave out Marnee. LOL!
I know that's what my dad's idea of heaven is. All the chicks he can get. LOL!
I wasn't NAGGING in Williamsburg! I was too busy laughing my ass off at you prancing around and giggling like a 12 year old at a boy young enough to be your....young lover. LOL!
Terri, you have to remember this: you're a writer. It doesn't matter when or how you get published (or if you do), but you have to believe that you will.
And if you don't, then you don't. I think this every day. Yeah, I want with every single fiber of my being to be published, and it'll hurt like hell if it doesn't happen.
But will my life be over? No. I'll still write and be a writer. However, a part of me has a feeling that publishing will happen... maybe not like tomorrow dammit, but it will.
It's like Field of Dreams in a way, you have to keep thinking: If I write it, I'll get published. *g*
But don't worry about everyone's pacing, etc... everyone has their own way they write. You'll finish that book when you do.
I think my dad's probably schmoozing the ladies wherever he is too. He was a charmer, a very smooth operator. He had to be, he looked a little like Dick Van Dyke, so when you've only got that going for you, your personality's gotta make up the difference.
LOL on your gameplan Hellion. :) I always crack up when I remember my huge goals and timelines of a decade ago. When you're 18-20, the world seems so rosey, huh?
Ely - If I write it, I'll get published; if I write it, I'll get published. (Dude, does young Ray Liotta come with this? No? Not even younger Kevin Costner? Sheesh, what are good mantras for anyway....)
Ely - I love your attitude too. You and Sin should hang out. LOL! It's just hard to keep saying I'm a writer and having nothing to show for it. I could be saying I'm a painter for all that. I just don't actually have any paintings. :)
Marnee - You get something better than Ray and Kevin, you get those hot heroes you write about. AND you get to make them say what you want! How cool is that?
I love Dick Van Dyke. He can sweep my chimney anytime...
Hmmmm, Jack. Yes, even if Jack was 18, I would have had to have been pregnant by 13, which isn't technically impossible--except it would have because I was an uber-late bloomer. Besides I look about 27, which would put a mere 9 years between us if he WERE 18. But I think he was at least 20--and 7 years isn't bad, right? Right. Sure.
Ok, that's just wrong. On both accounts.
Some lady made my day last week. I was looking at earings and she said I looked like I was 15! At first, I was thinking "Are you for real?" Then she said, "You do!" Ha! My head grew twice its size. Ah, did I mention I act 19?
Captain Jack is in his 40's. Technically I am a year or two older than he but that works for me. :-)
Kathy - the Jack Hellion is referring to was this darling chap who worked at a Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg. I'd swear he was the perfect cross between Jack Sparrow and Will Turner. He was ADORABLE! That grin and the twinkle in his eye had us all giggling a bit.
I married a younger man (ok, by 8 months but it counts) but I always say it's because he had good stamina. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Your young Jack sounds yummilicious!
Here's an example of how nutty I am about Captain Jack. My son called me from HS one day, told me that the Blood Bank people were there and that I needed to come up to the school and bring my camera because Captain Jack Sparrow was roaming the hallways. "I said, for real?" He said, "Yes." So what did I do? Immediately, I grabbed the camera and headed straight to school, what else? Aye. There here was, Captain Jack Sparrow jauntily roaming the hallways pilfering students just as my son said. And I, in front of all the kids at school, sashayed over to get his attention, jested a bit (without rum, of course) and posed for a photo. Ah, life! Sometimes it's good. Sometimes it's even better!
Uh, got so excited I tripped over my own words. That should be "There he was, Captain Jack Sparrow!" In actuality he's a Blood Bank employee who gets the kids (and me) all excited by posing as Edward Scissorhands and Captain Jack Sparrow. A dead ringer in looks and mannerism for sure.
Nah, you won't get Kevin or Ray, Marnee. But... you'll get an agent and a rewarding career.
*g*
Hell, Terri, you can say you're a writer. Doesn't matter if you're not "writing" right now. You are writing---you write blogs, you do classes, etc., and I'm sure you're doing CP work. That counts big time. So don't make me pull out the New York on you. LOL
I'd fly down a flight of stairs to see a Jack lookalike...oh, wait, I did.
Uhm...that was *touch* a single step. Kathy's word thing is contageous. LOL!
Kathy - we're going to need to see those photos! LOL! And bless that child for letting you know.
Marn - I'm sure George appreciates that that's your story. :)
Ely - Thank you for reminding me about my slacking CP ways. I need to get to that. But yes, I'm always writing something, you've got me there. Blogs, emails, BB comments, and the occassional school paper. Oh, I really hate those though. LOL!
Hellion - Did you even tough a single step? LOL! I don't think you did but it was worth it to see that boy's face after you breezed by him. I loved that when he asked me what that was all about I got to tell him you were smitten with him. LOL! Oh, that grin!
Wow, Terri, great blog! And such awesome responses.
I write because it's what I like to do. I've dabbled with it on and off for years because it relaxed me and was a form of entertainment. To tell the truth getting published is not even on my radar. I'm not as serious about it as all of you. And sometimes I feel a little like an interloper or a fraud because I lack the passion you all have, but truthfully being a part of this community... adding my 2 cents every so often and being able to participate in the give and take of ideas has already surpassed all my expectations. Not to mention the education I've received from all of you - better than anything I learned when I was in school!
So, I'm still plodding away and putting my ideas on the computer. Every so often I go back and read what I've written and am a little impressed at what I've accomplished. I've also shared what I've written once or twice and they were a little impressed also. That's enough for me right now.
And Marnee - you're Dad sounds awesome! A little TMI - *hanging my head in shame* I think I was a victim of his advice!!!
Irish - you are no fraud!!! You belong right here with the rest of us and we'd be quite sore if you stopped coming around and contributing. In fact, don't be surprised if we get you on here as a guest blogger sometime.
And that TMI is too funny. But from what you've told me, I think you might be right. LOL!
Wish I knew how to send a photo to a blog. *g*
IrishEyes- Staying in love with the writing itself is what it's all about. You're at a good place right now. When self-imposed deadlines get in the way or we fail to meet them, that's when loving to write gets tough. The one thing I've learned to embrace is: we've got to love the stage we're in so the dream doesn't get snuffed out. :-)
Irish - that's hilarious! I think sometimes my dad's little witticism/wisdoms were so funny because they were so true. :) There is just something sexy about funny men. I suppose that just goes to show that women's libidos are in fact connected to our brains.
Ooh, Irish as a guest blogger? That'd be so fun!!! Would you be willing, Irish?
And did you just imply we're TEACHERS? Dear God, woman, don't say that within earshot of my father.
I'm in my mid-thirties. My first stint at writing since high school came during the Avon Fanlit challenge. At that time, I too had gone back to college.
I feel the pressure to become published, if only because I realize time and life is short.
Renee
Ah, he's still sleeping, remember? You're safe.
Marnee - good point about funny guys being sexy but there are exceptions to that rule. Larry the Cable Guy. 'Nuff said.
Ok, I think I must qualify. Funny makes up for mild, even moderate, physical failings. But, funny can't make us blind.
Renee - Me too!!! I blame all of this on Fanlit. LOL! It was just so addicting.
Or deaf. *rolls eyes*
IMHO, Funny isn't a substitute, it's just a real big enhancement! (and no the DH isn't reading this! Although, he is off today and said to tell all you ladies... Did you hear the one about the the two old men sitting on the park bench...?)
Guest blogger, huh?! I just might consider it, if I can come up with something good enough? Just please don't make me follow one of Hellion's parodies!
Irish - Real big enhancement? LOL! Sorry, Butthead moment there. And what do you mean something good enough? Just throw something together. That's what we do. :)
That's exactly what we do. *LOL* I've been blogging a year--and I've had about 5 truly noteworthy blogs--and most of them involve Captain Jack Sparrow. So guess who they were MOST inspirational for.
Me!
Omg! 60-something comments! How do I keep up?! I'm cracking up in my cubicle and I'm sure my coworkers think I'm looney...
But I'll chime in and say that I sortof feel the same way as Kelly. I feel like I lucked out realizing that I want to write, yet I worry. A lot. What if all my other friends get published and it takes me another 15 years??? I suppose the general advice is to stop worrying but those are two words that I can't seem to fold into my way of thinking.
One thing I noticed over the past year is that I used to try to fit writing into my lfe in the beginning but as the year progressed I started to fit everything else around writing. Just last night I got invited to happy hour but I was writing instead. In the past, I would've been at happy hour, no question, and then tried to eek out some writing late after I got back.
Did someone mention Kevin Costner? Mmmm...
Hiya, Steph. Don't worry about keeping up. It's mostly babble anyway. LOL! Congrats on finding that discipline. I can't even find that for my school stuff. Though I have almost all of this week's work done with just a discussion question to do tonight. I would usually wait until Sunday (when it's due!) but I'm visiting the family and none of them have internet. Stupid stone age people.
I'm figuring out you can't think of this as some sort of competition. There are many authors that stuck with this for YEARS before selling. Anna Campbell took 27 years to publish. And she's a double RITA nominee for her first two books. Talk about the universe making it up to you. LOL!
Good God, I go away for a few hours and the blog explodes.
Our young Jack was at least 20! At least. And damn he was hot, but I liked the other guy, with the very well defined nose and tight breeches... I wanted to toss down a handkerchief and show him some leg on his way up.. .:)
What a totally fun blog!
I love you, Tiff, of COURSE, he was at least 20. Isn't that what I've been saying? I mean I couldn't possibly have been his mother... *adjusting her cougar corset*
Oh, I'm sure he was old enough to drink. At least 21 if not a year or two older. He just had that pretty face is all. There's a college right there so I'm sure he's a theater student or something. Doesn't that make you feel better? LOL!
Tiff - what other guy? Please tell me not the old man!
Terri, the OTHER guy in the room, fiddling with the cards! He had dark hair pulled back in a queue and was dressed up a bit more than Jack (Jack was wearing "casual Colonial" stuff.) He looked older, definitely, like mid-20s or maybe even 30. Jack looked like his kid brother.
Well, if he's old enough to drink, he's old enough to... Wait, isn't that a slightly tweaked policy of middle-aged men looking for really young women? Crap.
Oh, THAT guy. I remember now. I totally forgot there was another guy in that room. LOL! 21 is more than old enough. Hell, 18 is legal! And you're no where near middle-aged!
The plan is to take Kiddo up there the last Sunday of the month. I sure hope Jack is there.
I hope he is too. *LOL* He makes the trip worth it alone.
Ha, I finally googled you the other day...and realized Williamsburg was NORTH of you. I thought it was SOUTH. Sheesh.
These roads around here are crazy. It is North but you have to take 64 West to get there. LOL! And when I drive in to work on 64 West every morning, I drive directly into the sun. It's crazy.
Okay, that's clearly insane. *LOL*
Wow, talk about coincidences. My DH and I were talking about my five year plan. Where do I see myself and what do I see myself doing to get there. My first response was that I am going to be published and I'll be writing until then and beyond because of all these serial books I have in me.
So, by my calculations, I will be 50 having come to this whole romance reading and writing in the last few years. That just suits me to the ground!
You didn't notice the other guy? That's because he wasn't showing his shirtsleeves! LOL Totally hot, and like I said... well defined nose :) you know what they say... sigh...
Santa - I have a strong feeling it WILL NOT take that long to see you on the shelves. The world deserves to have Jake long before then...
Tiff - I remember him now, I just forgot for a minute there. And I can't go with that nose thing. My dad's nose is huge and according to my mother, the myth is just that, a myth. LOL!
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