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Permalink Reply by Lori Duffy Foster on January 29, 2012 at 6:33am

What?

How old is the main character in Water for Elephants?

In his 80s or 90s?

Granted, most of the novel is a flashback, but it's still his story and his present actions that are most interesting.

Please, please, please don't listen to those people. Agents should have no idea how old you are when you are querying and neither should publishers during the intial stages of the submissions process. It shouldn't factor into their decisions at all. Age is relevant only if YOU make it an issue.

Write a wonderful novel, get lots of critique and feedback from people you can trust and who know their stuff and then go from there. Focus on the quality of your novel rather than your age. There is something to be said for life experience. I honestly don't believe I had the maturity to write a worthy novel in my earlier years. I'm 45 now and I feel like I am just now hitting my stride. 

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Permalink Reply by Joanne Barney on January 30, 2012 at 11:15am

Hi. Lori:  Thanks for the encouraging words.  I'm the first to say there is something to be said for experience.  My most recent novel speaks to that.  It was been sent out about twenty times, maybe more, after editing and critiquing.  I have finally learned to format e-books and it is for sale on Amazon.  So, even now, I'm learning-and earning.  $.l8.00 so far.  But there is something ego-boosting about having a book chosen by someone else for publishing.  I miss that.

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Permalink Reply by Kelli Swearingen on January 29, 2012 at 10:35pm

I'm not a novelist but heres my two cents: Characters can never be too old to tell a story. Usually those are the books people remember because you've gone over their "life." Secondly, nope you're not foolish to dream of finding an agent. Send your stuff out, maybe if you do get another book published and maybe because of the content (age) it will be remembered and cherished by many. I wish you good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Joanne Barney on January 30, 2012 at 11:15am

Hello, Kelli:  I appreciate the truth of your comments.  The other truth is that agents are looking for books that will sell big:  dystopic, fantasy, sci-fi, mysteries, things I don't write.  Most responses from agents so far have commented something like, " Your book is well-written but not right for us. . ."  It's a business and that's something I'm experiencing right now as I begin marketing two e-books.

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Permalink Reply by Joie Grandbois on January 30, 2012 at 5:03am

I would say write what ever you want.  Why be restricted by what anyone else says they 'think' you should do?  There are so many creative people who accomplished great things later in life and no one should allow age to stop them from doing something they love.  

I'm about to turn 40 in a few days and while that is hardly ancient I think that for the first time ever I am finally getting an idea of what kind of creative work I want to put out into the world.  I also finally have the commitment to do it.

So go for it.  Write whatever you like and as many stories as you like.   Don't let anyone stop you.  

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Permalink Reply by Joanne Barney on January 30, 2012 at 11:15am

Hi, Joie.  I love your first name--mine, too.  And I have written whatever I want for forty years and I understand  how exciting it is to begin  committing to creative work.  Good for you.  You'll never regret the effort and hours you spend at your computer, desk, easel.  And when you are an old lady you will look back at a life worhwhile.  Like me.  I just wish I could get a novel published.  So, I did, by myself.  A little differently than the dream, but satisfying nevertheless.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Gomley on March 18, 2012 at 12:33pm

Hi Joanne!

OK...first of all...are you 100? Too old...no such thing when pursuing a dream! Are you aware that Mary Higgins Clark recently signed a multi-book deal at 83 years old? I did not start my first book until 50 and I REFUSE to let anyone make me believe I am too old.

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Permalink Reply by Joanne Barney on March 19, 2012 at 3:13pm

Which is why, after a month or so of "marketing" my e-books, I've decided to be a writer again--and again, my protagonist is an old lady, this time with a dead husband in her bed on Christmas Day.  When you are 77, you begin imagining scenes like that.  I'm still waiting for what she does next.  Maybe it a kind of rehearsal? Mary Higgins Clark writes a little differently and about different things than I do, but I'm encouraged by her optimistic view of the future.  Thanks, Lisa, for your comment.

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Permalink Reply by Vicki J Foust on March 28, 2012 at 7:50am

How old was Gramma Moses when she was painting? I really don't know but I know she was old. ha, I should talk I am starting my umpteenth career!

I would think that there is a market for books of the older generations and if someone is not marketing to them, someone is missing a huge market of people! HEY, maybe you should be publishing! Seriously, why isn't there a series of books lending to the older generation that is still LIVING and leading a full life?

I say write and promote your book just like that and there will be some agent/publisher out there that will say, "AHA"!!!!

Good luck.

 

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Permalink Reply by Joanne Barney on March 29, 2012 at 4:34pm

Thanks for the encouragement.  I never did think of directing my marketing to the non-chick-lit readers, otherwise known as hen-lit. I wonder if these women have a webpage or internet group?  I've never been asked to join, except for the one made up of lunch  friends complaining about 32-year-old characters with divorce problems and wayward lovers and great bodies.  It's kind of a group, I guess. I'll work on this idea.

Convincing possible agents is another matter.  They have their hands/computers/desks full at this point of submissions that may never see the light of day as midlist novels because publishers are looking for blockbusters to keep their businesses afloat.  It is a very strange time for any one working in the literary/publishing field.  I wish us all well.

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