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Yes, Christine, you can begin writing at 60!
A few days ago, a reader named Christine emailed me the following question: Do you think a person can begin being a writer at age 60? You’re so young and have such a solid educational background in literature. I know I want to write, and have a folder of snippets, unrelated, but think I’m crazy to start at this age!
Well, I should admit, first off, that I’m not really that young. I grew up in the South, where a lady is never supposed to reveal her age, but since the publisher of my first novel decided to put my birthdate on the title page, it’s pretty much out there. Matters of youthfulness or lack thereof aside, I get a lot of questions from aspiring writers, frequently about publishing, sometimes of the “I want to write a book, and I’m sure it will be a bestseller if you introduce me to your agent” variety. I found Christine’s question particularly refreshing, because it wasn’t about the business of writing, but the process of writing, and, more specifically, the beginning of writing–you know, that thing you actually have to do before you go out in search of literary fame and fortune. So I thought I’d share my response here: …
Writers Reflect
Jason Roberts compiled writers’ reflections on John Updike today for The Rumpus. There are contributions by Andrew Sean Greer, Andrew Foster Altschul, Rick Moody, and yours truly, among others.
“A celebration of risk and failure”
Elizabeth Stark, filmmaker and author of the award-winning novel Shy Girl, has written a great piece on redroom about why the “growth mindset” matters to writers. Read it here.