Are You Ever Too Old to Write a Novel?

Are You Ever Too Old to Write a Novel?

Even if you can remember using one of these, with the courage to jump into the digital revolution, you can write and publish a book. If you can’t overcome your techno-fears—hire a kid to help you.

Many people over sixty regard computers and social networking as something they don’t have to learn. They brag they don’t need it, claim it’s too difficult to learn, too expensive, and anyway, what do they need it for except skyping the grandkids?

Everyone has a book in them whether it’s a recipe collection, a life-story memoir, or genre novel. I started writing She’s Not There after I retired. It took me five years to complete.

When I joined a critique group, I found out getting a book published the traditional way by finding and agent and/or a publisher, could take up to twenty years! I didn’t have twenty years to spare, so I published my first eBook on my own.

Ten reasons to start writing after 50.

1.     Writing is great brain exercise. (See last week’s blog, below.)

2.     You’ll meet new friends with a common goal joining a writer’s critique group.

3.     It’s something you can do no matter how incapacitated you are. (If you can put together a jigsaw puzzle, play bingo, or watch TV, you can write!)

4.     Add some extra cash to your fixed income.

5.     You have more spare time now than you ever will.

6.     Unlike a “job,” you can take time off whenever you want.

7.     You’ll read other authors with a new respect and learn from them.

8.     You’ll always have an excuse. “No, I can’t today, I’m working on my novel.”

9.     There’s nothing like having a goal to work toward!

10. And nothing like the satisfaction you’ll get from completing an entire novel.

Dear friends,

This blog is dedicated to all of you readers, who, like me, have always been secretly plotting your own book in your daydreams. Make that dream come true by taking a first step no matter how small. I started by plotting my novel while I walked, then starting on chapter one. If I can do it, so can you!

Take care, have a great week, and keep daydreaming!

Marla