Comments on: Age: a Writer’s Ally

By: Randy Kraft

Randy Kraft — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 15:37:21 +0000

In reply to Charlotte69. I guess I should put my photo on my books after all... thanks for good thoughts.

By: Charlotte69

Charlotte69 — Sat, 22 Oct 2016 15:20:17 +0000

One of the first things I do is look at an author’s photo. If he/she looks older, I’m more inclined to buy the book. It just makes sense to me that their content is going to be richer, more layered, more complex.

By: Randy Kraft

Randy Kraft — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 15:40:23 +0000

In reply to Lesia Daria. Congrats on the novel. And yes, the older we are, the less time to waste. Keep writing.

By: Lesia Daria

Lesia Daria — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 14:46:19 +0000

It also took me six years to produce my novel Forty One, an attempt (no, success!) at accessible literary fiction. I too couldn’t find what I wanted to read and after a decade of journalism, I fit in writing with what was happenign in my life then: raising children. Again, as you say, experience and age enabled the story, and Forty One came out (September 2015, Troubadour) when I too decided not to waste any more effort on querying agents and the flavour-of-the-month approach of the publishing industry. Glad to hear I’m not the only one. . . time is a terrible thing to waste — writing is the main thing!

By: Randy Kraft

Randy Kraft — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 18:08:04 +0000

In reply to Bobbie. Thanks for the lovely response. Colors of the Wheel was published January 2014 with good critical response and lots of good word of mouth, especially book groups. What joy! Now my new novel, Signs of Life, will publish this spring. it's all about the writing - stay with it!

By: Randy Kraft

Randy Kraft — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 18:06:47 +0000

In reply to Mary Latela. Perhaps why I never got the PhD! Cheers.

By: Randy Kraft

Randy Kraft — Sun, 14 Feb 2016 18:06:22 +0000

In reply to Lichen. Thanks for the comment - we are definitely on the same page. Age in general not nearly appreciated as deserved, in this country especially. Keep on! Cheers.

By: Lichen

Lichen — Sat, 13 Feb 2016 20:34:22 +0000

I love this article. I have been writing nonfiction professionally for years, but didn’t publish a novel until I was 50. I know well that when I was 35, I had very little of value to say, because I wasn’t old enough to possess the proper perspective on life. Too many books, written by people in their thirties, aren’t very interesting because what is earth-shattering insight to a 30-year-old, is just old hat when you’re a 50-year-old reader. And older people buy a lot of books.

Nowadays, as I write, I draw frequently upon moments in my own experience to write scenes rich in feeling. I also edit professionally, and it never fails to strike me how older writers bring so much more to their work than a young writer possibly can. It’s just the nature of the beast. I am always astounded to hear someone who is 40 or 50 or 75 lament that it may be too late. Too late for what? If you have your brain intact at that age, start putting pen to paper! You have more of value to say as you get older!

By: Mary Latela

Mary Latela — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 14:35:34 +0000

Randy, I would rather give birth to another book than to a Ph.D. I have children, and that process of pregnancy and birth is part of my core. When I write, I reach into the core and try to catch some of the joys, sorrows, hopes, disappointments of birthing … then letting go the fruits of our mothering.

I am really inspired by your article. As I get older and time seems more precious, I know that I must write and keep writing. I also know that I need to keep nurturing myself and others. Else, where would the stuff of my work come from? Mary Latela

By: Bobbie

Bobbie — Sun, 13 Jul 2014 15:34:24 +0000

Randy, you cannot know the impact your words had on me this morning. As if we were sitting in that cafe of yours and your words were directed solely to me. I am 78 – began journaling 25 or 30 years ago. That’s when the writing bug bit me. I have self published a children’s book and have mountains of ‘stuff’ for my memoir if I can just get motivated to do it! I’m getting closer, with the help of writers like you, tweets and all the sites of inspiration out there. When finished here will def go to Twitter and look you up. Have no degree of any kind but would love to do some freelance writing and editing online. Any suggestions?
Thank you again for this inspiring post. Age can become a factor only if we let it.
God bless – will look forward to your book in January. Wish you much success.