by Max Lehmann

Created on: October 14, 2010   Last Updated: October 15, 2010

The Camomile Lawn is a famous novel by Mary Wesley which saw a raft of critical success. What many don't know is that the author began publishing for adults at the age of 70, and this was her second novel. With that in mind, it would seem that age is not any barrier to success.

People say "on the internet, nobody knows you're a dog", a jokey approach to explaining that the only things revealed online about someone are the things they choose to share. Age is an example of something of which this is very true, not online on the internet, but also in writing. A writer's life is as solitary as he desires and all the output of a writer stands on its own merits, regardless of how many years' experience the writer has under his belt. Anyone concerned that perhaps they are "past it" and not up to beginning a life as a writer would do well to remember this.

In fact, the best tool a writer has at his fingertips is a wealth of experience and knowledge. People often suggest that we "write what we know" and who knows more than those who have walked the earth for longest? This is true if trying to write fiction, but also if one just wants to get paid to write articles. Just as age mellows rage, it also offers a new perspective, and the chance to examine the things around us more carefully. A piece written by somebody older may be more considered simply because the attitude is different. Age and experience, for a writer, are a gift. Similarly, those who start writing early should never feel that they are past it because practising a skill is the best way to hone it. Those who start clumsily will improve with concerted effort, while those who begin with talent in the first place should find that their later work surpasses their earlier pieces because a writer always learns as they go. Vocabulary, knowledge and a recognition of one's own strengths are always fodder for good work, and the older you grow the more you have gained in all these areas along the way.

Another positive aspect of being an older writer is that as we age so our responsibilities shrink. First the family grows and moves on, and then we move into retirement. With all those extra hours available for dabbling in writing, we are given a head start on the younger people who are still struggling to find a balance between work, home life and a social life. The older person knows his own mind better, has already prioritised his wants and needs in life and can easily take on a writing hobby or career to complement this.

Finally, consider the accusation of "too old to write" carefully. Who is it levelled at, and by whom? If an individual chooses to label himself as too old then his view should be respected, perhaps he is using it as shorthand for a longer explanation. Maybe an old man has flirted with the idea of writing but never found the drive to begin and feels that he would not do himself justice in making his first forays now. But how often is this the case? Rarely, it would seem. In general those who are fast with the phrase "too old" are those who are younger than their target. In truth, most people never really feel all that old, although they may recognise more limits as their body grows a little weaker and the memory or eyes struggle a little more. Most people, though, feel mentally spritely well into old age and are only made to feel that age is a hindrance in the company of the younger generations. While a person feels they are competent and interested, it is not for any others to deny them their desire to take part in any pursuit, and writing is certainly not something that ought to be curtailed by age.

In short, one is never too old to write, and age in a writer may often be considered a boon.

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