As one older writer/editor to another, you've nailed it. I founded Thin Skin magazine last year because so many older writers who are late starters feel excluded in favour of 'the kids'. Not that we're publishing any old thing. We've only just published our second issue, and without a doubt there's no loss of creativity in later life.
Amen , Abby! I am astounded, amazed and bit perplexed that I've been more creative in my 8th decade than in the previous 7 combined! But then 'consciousness'. sentience, is a mystery that we have not figured out in the past 5,000 years.
Great post! I'm in the same boat. About to turn 78. I've learned not to pay attention to my age. Recently, I discovered the joy of organizing a local book fair and receiving the appreciation of younger writers in attendance who perhaps do not have the time to take on any volunteer projects like this one. Everyone had fun. Books were sold. Contacts were established. Getting even more involved in the local writing community provides satisfaction and brings rewards.
The founder of the workshop I belonged to when I was a kid, as I said, probably had no idea she would be seen as a mentor by me so many years later. She was a recognized agent with connections to the old Scribner's house and didn't need me to make her wealthy. She took me aside once and said one thing that stuck with me for all this time. You just don't know what effect you're having.
Too true. I recently aborted a submission to a magazine because of the long list of things the editor said he didn't want -- most of which, for my money, were in back copies of his journal. Moreover, most of them were subjective, and I had no idea whether he'd think that my work would fall foul of them or not. I just found that I couldn't bothered. (And I'm a youngster of 68...)
I don't know how people have the tenacity. I was defeated early on. I submitted a couple of times after writing my second novel (which I'm serialising here). It was rejected, but a reader recommended it to the agent. She didn't reply for months, so I asked and she said she forgot (great sign 🤣). She said she liked it but it wasn't for her. I found the submission process gruelling. Anybody who sticks at it, you have my total admiration, you're a bulldog!
I had a pipe dream of being a writer since I was little. Until a few years ago, it was just that. a pipedream. Until two years ago at the age of 56 the opportunity landed in my lap to chase that pipedream.
I still have a day job that pays the bills, but I've been writing short stories and CNF and have had 10, going on 13 stories published. I'm not looking to write the next Great American Novel, I just know that I'm doing what I was meant to be doing. Writing. IT'S NEVER TOO LATE.
The specific advise Marjorie Peters gave me way back in the 70s was that "you can write," "develop your voice," "it's not going to be commercial, but it will find an audience," and "don't quit your day job." :-) True story.
Wonderful and wise. The writing game is a marathon we run because nothing else seems quite as important or vital. Write we must, and fail we must, but on we go, always writing because something inside of us needs to be said.
I thank you, RW, for sharing this--I can relate. I was around your age 7 years ago when I entered a fee-free contest and my poem won a place in a print anthology. It felt so amazing to see words I had written in book that I finally started sending my wayward offspring out into the world. Many, many rejections [the worst always being, 'gee, we really like this but just not now...'] but I have been published by 227 lit mags in 437 issues since then. I've also--finally!- learned the difference between ego and soul.
The former is a liar, a trickster, a little devil, whilst the later is one's true self-- and the best that we can be or can do or can create will come from it, never from that con artist, the ego. And as you allude to, this is also true for editors. Those who are dominated by their egos will usually pick crap, while those who are in touch with the soul-- both their own and the writer's-- are able to see the splendor and wonder of the Universe in words....
Great piece, fellow elder! Get it out before we croak.... oh yes, indeed! I've always done my best work under deadlines, so nothing new here, expect the spelling of dead-line :) .... And there is some truth I believe about economy of language as we get older, simple structures, simple words, "efficiency". No need to shoot fireworks to impress? Or an appreciation for the shortest route to the target. Thank you for this!
Always glad to read a post like this from an elder statesman. I have been writing seriously since I was 11 or so. The Adventures of Dr. Maums was a classic comic book to my fellow sixth graders. Sure, it was just a homemade palm-sized comic made from folded notebook paper, but it was well-received enough that my schoolmates gave me some mad respect. Been writing ever since. But only in my later years have I worked on being a published writer. Sometimes, life events can get in the way of a published life. It's never too late.
I did homemade comics too! Growing up in the Marvel Silver Age, it was hard not to be influenced. Little known fact - I got my first rejection letter at 11! It was from Stan Lee. I sent in a story that pitted Dr Strange against The Hulk. Completely counter-intuitive. They didn't take it, of course, but they did use the match-up 45 years later, the bums.
That’s cool that you felt good enough to send it, though. I wasn’t a particularly good artist. My comic books were very cartoony and basic. My son, however, did great comic book art when he was young.
Brilliant and funny. It's me. Seventy-six and in my prime as a writer, whether stuff gets pubbed or not. As successful as I am obscure: love it! Actually in the middle of writing a requested article on this very subject of the wisdom of older, experienced writers, and wish I could just link the space to your piece—but with permission, would love to include a few quotes, including the point of my piece: "The writing is the thing, pilgrim. Repeat after me." Thank you, thank you, thank you! I feel so "seen", as the youngers say. Validated, actually, in the journey I've worked hard to create, free to write for the love, challenge, meaning, and joy of it.
Cheering over here. I'm 71, and my editor is about to announce my debut novel -- the first in an upper middle-grade fantasy series, of which the publisher has bought the first two -- in Publishers Weekly. For me it feels like coming in first in the NFL draft. To most of humanity, it's a "huh?" Writing, whatever else it is, is an exercise in humility.
I loved, loved this post. What a voice—funny, wise, and true. And I will remember it for years.
To paraphrase Georgia O’Keefe, “I decided for myself that praise and criticism went down the same drain. And I was free.”
Georgia had it down.
Love the quote.
As one older writer/editor to another, you've nailed it. I founded Thin Skin magazine last year because so many older writers who are late starters feel excluded in favour of 'the kids'. Not that we're publishing any old thing. We've only just published our second issue, and without a doubt there's no loss of creativity in later life.
Amen , Abby! I am astounded, amazed and bit perplexed that I've been more creative in my 8th decade than in the previous 7 combined! But then 'consciousness'. sentience, is a mystery that we have not figured out in the past 5,000 years.
I was excited to see Thin Skin, then realized you don't take non-fiction. Do you have any plans to change that in the future?
Great post! I'm in the same boat. About to turn 78. I've learned not to pay attention to my age. Recently, I discovered the joy of organizing a local book fair and receiving the appreciation of younger writers in attendance who perhaps do not have the time to take on any volunteer projects like this one. Everyone had fun. Books were sold. Contacts were established. Getting even more involved in the local writing community provides satisfaction and brings rewards.
The founder of the workshop I belonged to when I was a kid, as I said, probably had no idea she would be seen as a mentor by me so many years later. She was a recognized agent with connections to the old Scribner's house and didn't need me to make her wealthy. She took me aside once and said one thing that stuck with me for all this time. You just don't know what effect you're having.
Too true. I recently aborted a submission to a magazine because of the long list of things the editor said he didn't want -- most of which, for my money, were in back copies of his journal. Moreover, most of them were subjective, and I had no idea whether he'd think that my work would fall foul of them or not. I just found that I couldn't bothered. (And I'm a youngster of 68...)
I don't know how people have the tenacity. I was defeated early on. I submitted a couple of times after writing my second novel (which I'm serialising here). It was rejected, but a reader recommended it to the agent. She didn't reply for months, so I asked and she said she forgot (great sign 🤣). She said she liked it but it wasn't for her. I found the submission process gruelling. Anybody who sticks at it, you have my total admiration, you're a bulldog!
It takes nothing to keep sending stuff out. It takes everything not to care what the results are.
I had a pipe dream of being a writer since I was little. Until a few years ago, it was just that. a pipedream. Until two years ago at the age of 56 the opportunity landed in my lap to chase that pipedream.
I still have a day job that pays the bills, but I've been writing short stories and CNF and have had 10, going on 13 stories published. I'm not looking to write the next Great American Novel, I just know that I'm doing what I was meant to be doing. Writing. IT'S NEVER TOO LATE.
The specific advise Marjorie Peters gave me way back in the 70s was that "you can write," "develop your voice," "it's not going to be commercial, but it will find an audience," and "don't quit your day job." :-) True story.
As Homer once said [maybe]--Go for it!
I couldn't have said it better--or funnier--myself, O Wise One. Here's to posthumous fame!
I'm gonna be famous!
Wonderful and wise. The writing game is a marathon we run because nothing else seems quite as important or vital. Write we must, and fail we must, but on we go, always writing because something inside of us needs to be said.
It's true, right? I've often told my wife it really doesn't matter if it sees the light of day or not. It's just going to keep happening.
Lots of laughs and wisdom here, fellow pilgrim. I'll remember that, thanks.
I thank you, RW, for sharing this--I can relate. I was around your age 7 years ago when I entered a fee-free contest and my poem won a place in a print anthology. It felt so amazing to see words I had written in book that I finally started sending my wayward offspring out into the world. Many, many rejections [the worst always being, 'gee, we really like this but just not now...'] but I have been published by 227 lit mags in 437 issues since then. I've also--finally!- learned the difference between ego and soul.
The former is a liar, a trickster, a little devil, whilst the later is one's true self-- and the best that we can be or can do or can create will come from it, never from that con artist, the ego. And as you allude to, this is also true for editors. Those who are dominated by their egos will usually pick crap, while those who are in touch with the soul-- both their own and the writer's-- are able to see the splendor and wonder of the Universe in words....
I am not a stranger to your work, btw. because unlike many writers I know I actually DO read litmags. :-)
Much appreciated, RW
Sage and seasoned commentary. Thank you.
I am down with flu, and this made me laugh like crazy in between hacks! Thank you. Sage advice, indeed.
I've done my best stuff under heavy medication...
I'm not encouraging that approach but you're in very good company (some of the best).
Don't. It hurts to laugh. :-)
Great piece, fellow elder! Get it out before we croak.... oh yes, indeed! I've always done my best work under deadlines, so nothing new here, expect the spelling of dead-line :) .... And there is some truth I believe about economy of language as we get older, simple structures, simple words, "efficiency". No need to shoot fireworks to impress? Or an appreciation for the shortest route to the target. Thank you for this!
Always glad to read a post like this from an elder statesman. I have been writing seriously since I was 11 or so. The Adventures of Dr. Maums was a classic comic book to my fellow sixth graders. Sure, it was just a homemade palm-sized comic made from folded notebook paper, but it was well-received enough that my schoolmates gave me some mad respect. Been writing ever since. But only in my later years have I worked on being a published writer. Sometimes, life events can get in the way of a published life. It's never too late.
Thanks for the encouragement and the fun read.
I did homemade comics too! Growing up in the Marvel Silver Age, it was hard not to be influenced. Little known fact - I got my first rejection letter at 11! It was from Stan Lee. I sent in a story that pitted Dr Strange against The Hulk. Completely counter-intuitive. They didn't take it, of course, but they did use the match-up 45 years later, the bums.
That’s cool that you felt good enough to send it, though. I wasn’t a particularly good artist. My comic books were very cartoony and basic. My son, however, did great comic book art when he was young.
Brilliant and funny. It's me. Seventy-six and in my prime as a writer, whether stuff gets pubbed or not. As successful as I am obscure: love it! Actually in the middle of writing a requested article on this very subject of the wisdom of older, experienced writers, and wish I could just link the space to your piece—but with permission, would love to include a few quotes, including the point of my piece: "The writing is the thing, pilgrim. Repeat after me." Thank you, thank you, thank you! I feel so "seen", as the youngers say. Validated, actually, in the journey I've worked hard to create, free to write for the love, challenge, meaning, and joy of it.
Feel free. At this point I'll take any clicks I can get. :-)
Cheering over here. I'm 71, and my editor is about to announce my debut novel -- the first in an upper middle-grade fantasy series, of which the publisher has bought the first two -- in Publishers Weekly. For me it feels like coming in first in the NFL draft. To most of humanity, it's a "huh?" Writing, whatever else it is, is an exercise in humility.
Congratulations!
Congrats Jan!