The WMF Archives: Starting a Writing Career Over Age 30

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Starting a Writing Career Over Age 30

3:00 AM

by Kerrie McLoughlin

Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to be a writer. And for some reason I thought I had to be a FICTION writer. So I tried and pushed and took creative writing classes in high school and junior college and came up with … nothing. My real-life stories always got better grades and flowed more easily, but still I thought fiction was the way to go. Maybe I was searching for fame and fortune.

When I was in my late twenties (at my job as an office manager) I fell into writing a few “thank you for your donation to our charity” and “please give money to our charity” letters. I liked the money and the challenge to say the same thing several different ways while trying to appeal to people’s heartstrings and wallets.

I’m 38 now and think I’m just hitting my stride as a writer of all kinds of things that have nothing to do with fame OR fortune. My husband wishes I would put off writing until the kids are grown (they range in age currently from 5 months to 8 years), but something in me JUST CAN’T DO THAT. It’s taken me this long to gain the experience and passion I need to be a writer, and I can’t ignore the ideas that swirl around in my head.

Whether you write fiction, non-fiction, poetry, essays, marketing manuals, travel information or [insert your writing passion here], I’d love to know how old you were when you got started.

It's never too late to get published!

Labels: article writing, getting clips, Kerrie McLoughlin, older writers, paying jobs, writing for free

16 comments:

Shila Prasad said...: I'm 57 and thinking about becoming a writer (short stories, news articles, blogging etc); have experience in writing technical manuals for aerospace industries and cook book recipe.; March 7, 2010 3:31 AM
Dawnie said...: I am 37. I have been hearing since my youth that I "am a great writer". I did the poetry thing. I write a ton of letters taht seem to get people going. And as of the last 4 years an online weight loss blog. I am just now thinking of turning this hobby, stress reliever into a career but confess its overwhelming to think of where to start...; March 7, 2010 7:19 AM
Kerrie McLoughlin said...: Dawnie ... it is overwhelming. This is a good question for other writers and our own bloggers here on WM Freelance Connection. I'd say maybe start with what you are the best at and with what you also love the most. For me it was writing about parenting/family stuff. Then the hard part was just finding markets and keeping track of their info and my submissions, etc. So what do you LOVE to write about? Now go find some markets for your work (Google, Writer's Market, etc.); March 7, 2010 7:52 AM
Virginia said...: I've been at this off and on for just about forever - I'm 40 now and I think I *might* be hitting my stride. There are a number of reasons why it has taken me so long (my feeling, my words) to feel I might be on the verge of really doing this - both mental and life circumstances - but I can't not do it.

Kerrie, I'm with you - don't wait until your kids are older. Do what you can now, when you can. It's hard (I have 3 kids, though my middle child died 6 years ago). It's just. plain. HARD. But keep going.; March 7, 2010 8:42 AM
Kerrie McLoughlin said...: Virginia, you are amazing. I'm sorry to hear about the death of your child ... I'm curious to know if you wrote through the pain? It's just something I always have to do ... get it out or it eats me alive. Your story could really help other moms, trust me. Keep at it ... you can do it. Can't wait for you to check back in with us and let us know when you get something published!; March 7, 2010 8:53 AM
Anonymous said...: I'm 30 and am currently working on my first novel. Your right though you don't have to write fiction. Though that is what I enjoy doing best.; March 7, 2010 9:49 AM
Kerrie T. said...: Great post! I'm glad you found what you love to do. I started as an editor in my 20s. I didn't really know I needed to write. Working for a small newspaper, I had to "fill in" as a reporter every once in a while. I liked it. Then, in my late 20s, I left the paper and went to be a corporate editor at a huge company. I soon started freelancing for the larger newspaper. I loved that, but I found my corporate job boring and stressful. When I was 31, and on maternity leave, I found a job doing what I went to college to do: copywriting. And it was part-time -- perfect for a new mom. I never thought they would hire me, but they did. Now I write copy for DVD boxes and software boxes that are on shelves in Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart, Target, on Amazon and at tons of smaller retail establishments across the US. I love it. I love seeing the finished product. But I still feel the need to do more. And, like you said in your post, writing about my life seems to come so easy. So I'm doing that and I'm working on a children's picture book. Oh and I just got assigned a freelance article for the newspaper again. You just never know. Just have to keep your head in the game.

A writing career is like floating on a river. You can go slow and fast, across smooth and rough water, and there are twists and turns so that you never really know which way it's going to go. And it never ends unless you decide to get out.; March 7, 2010 10:12 AM
Rebecca said...: It's never too late. Many people will have more than one career, that's how it is today. I started in accounting (didn't like it -- only did it to please another person), jumped to graphic design (loved it and still dabble), and now I'm a writer.

At 37, I never thought that I'd be a writer. Being involved in the arts and entertainment business was a "high school" dream which was smashed by well meaning people. I always heard about the "starving artist" and allowed that to influence me. Not anymore -- I do what I want to do!; March 7, 2010 10:37 AM
Robin Bradley Hansel said...: Thanks, Kerrie! Your post was so encouraging to me today...George Eliot's quote, "It's never too late to be what you might have been" has been my mantra these last five years. I am 42 now, writing like crazy (my dream) and running my own little company, Labyrinth Wellness, LLC. Walking labyrinths was the "missing piece" in my creative, spiritual journey back to writing from my twenty-plus years in health care. It is hard work, not as romantic and glamorous as I had envisioned, but every moment here at the computer is true JOY to me. I am grateful beyond words. Thanks for this great blog. It has been a Light on my path....Peace, Robin; March 7, 2010 1:51 PM
Allena said...: I will say this about a writing career (and keep in mind I'm talking freelance writing for pay, which is what I know)- it's much easier with a supportive spouse, because the hours are weird, the pay is sometimes all-or-nothing and the dream is one that takes someone your back cheering you on. I got a bit of a red flag about the discouragement you indicated in this article.; March 7, 2010 3:02 PM
Virginia said...: Thanks, Kerrie, for checking out my blog and commenting. I have written a book about my son and my family, which I've been shopping to agents...fingers crossed. Had some good responses but no takers. I'm back to editing for now, then re-submitting to agents again. It's hard, it's time consuming, but it's what I do.; March 7, 2010 4:32 PM
CynthiaK said...: Kerrie, we are similar in a number of ways. I'm currently on the verge of 37 and have three children ranging from 2 yrs to 7. In my previous life, I worked in marketing and fundraising. Once deciding to stay home with my kids after child number two arrived four years ago, I tentatively eeked into a freelance writing business. I didn't even want to say I was a writer because I didn't feel like I was qualified to be one, even though I did loads of writing in my former jobs.

Now I write all kinds of materials, from fundraising appeals to newsletters to web content and reports. I feel more inspired by smaller projects that I can tackle relatively quickly and feel like something has been accomplished. I was fortunate to have stayed in contact with a number of former colleagues who have come to me with work over the years. I think I'm also fortunate that I don't have any major financial pressures so I can just take the work as it comes. But I'm reaching a point where I'll have to delve in with a little more vigour and increase the workload.

It's interesting to read how people came to be writers and where they find work. A diverse field, indeed!; March 7, 2010 10:19 PM
Carol Tice said...: I was writing songs until I was near 30...then one day I wrote an essay and entered it in a contest the L.A. Weekly was having, won $200, and never looked back. It never occurred to me I was too old to try a different kind of writing...which is good, since reported nonfiction turned out to be a big passion for me, and paid a LOT of bills!

As I work with mentees, it's been painful to hear how much negative thinking has stunted their progress...you're too old, the field is too crowded, you're not talented enough, and on and on. In this economy especially, you really have to believe in yourself and just go out there and write and find the markets that are a fit for you.

One of the greatest rabbis of Jewish tradition, Rabbi Akiva, never studied a line of Torah until the age of 40.

He finally became convinced he could begin study late in life by observing a rock into which dripping water had slowly, over the ages, carved a hole. If the water could succeed in altering the rock, he concluded, he could through diligence still make a dent in comprehending Torah. His knowledge became so advanced that one interpretation from our rabbis relates that God transported Moses to the future so he could learn to understand Torah from Akiva.

The race is not always to those who get out of the blocks first...

Write on, older writers!

Carol Tice
Make a Living Writing blog: 9 Time Management Tips for Busy Writers; March 7, 2010 11:07 PM
Orangesplaash said...: Great post..I found writing to be my calling and am now immersed into it completely. I just enjoy doing it since I am so passionate about it. Along with my writing work, I also find blogging to be immensely satisfying.; March 8, 2010 7:47 AM
Pam Houghton said...: I think it isn't uncommon for people to pursue other careers when they're starting out, especially if you want something stable, well-paying, etc. But I think for creative folks, something starts to gnaw at them when they feel like their creative skills aren't being used at work. You start to feel like you are neglecting a vital part of yourself...which may be why so many writers are older when they get started. I think for some types of writing, it helps to have some life experience behind you anyway.; March 8, 2010 10:40 AM
Nicole said...: I have always been a writer, however it wasn't until about three years ago that I became a published writer. It has been a year since I have really published anything. My blog allows me to scratch the itch that I have for the need to publish. By the way, I will be 38 in June! My oldest daughter is 18 and my younger daughter is 16. I enjoy reading fiction and creating characters. I hope one day to complete a novel. That would be fun! Good luck with the writing. It is a calling, you just can't stop it no matter how hard you try!; March 8, 2010 5:02 PM