Comments on: Forty-Two Year Old Women Don’t Have Adventures

By: Rosie Amber

Rosie Amber — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 13:08:11 +0000

What a fantastic journey for both you and your work. Really enjoyed reading about all your adventures.

By: Suzy Soro

Suzy Soro — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 22:07:51 +0000

I once wrote a funny screenplay with 5 hetero couples. It got a lot of traction, a lot of look sees and high placement in sp contests. Same critique over and over: FEWER COUPLES.

Now I write memoir and self-publish. #ItsAlwaysSomething

By: Linda Thorne

Linda Thorne — Sun, 08 Oct 2017 20:55:34 +0000

Look at the protagonist in, Murder She Wrote, she’s well beyond her forties. My lead in my series is 49 pushing 50 and there’s lots she gets into. Yes, I’ve heard the same comments made even up to the last couple of years. I’ve listened to authors talk at events and conferences about their publishers suggesting keeping the female protagonist in their thirties. Goodness, I didn’t have half of the adventures I’ve experienced when I was that young. I enjoyed your post.

By: Linda Stasi

Linda Stasi — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 11:56:09 +0000

We must all stick to our guns. And why all the books with “GIrl” in the title? Didn’t we fight very hard to be called “women?”

By: Elaine Raco Chase

Elaine Raco Chase — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 17:20:46 +0000

Loved your article! Readers, like characters come in all shapes and sizes. I guess I was super lucky when I created reporter, Nikki Holden, back in 1985. My Bantam editor didn’t say a word when Nikki’s lunch was often everything on the $1 menu at Taco Bell, swore like a teamster, and was nearly 6′ tall and a size 14.

Keep up the great writing and creating real-life characters!

By: Elaine Raco Chase

Elaine Raco Chase — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 17:17:15 +0000

Thank you for sharing this article. I guess I was super lucky – in 1985 I created Nikki Holden, mid-30’s who always ordered one of everything on the Taco Bell $1 menu…and ate it all. My Bantam editor didn’t blink an eye over her body shape – nearly 6′ tall and a size 14 (gasp) nor the fact she swore like a teamster.

Like readers, characters come in all sizes and I’m so glad you held your ground!

By: Linda Stasi

Linda Stasi — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 18:33:39 +0000

In reply to Linda Stasi. That was supposed to read: you go Not: go go. Damned spellcheck

By: Linda Stasi

Linda Stasi — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 18:31:38 +0000

In reply to Patricia Sands. Right you are! My Aunt Laura used to have a plaque in her kitchen that said:: "The aheader go go, the behinder you get." That's sometimes how I feel about How women in the media are tr ated

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 17:55:43 +0000

In reply to Patricia Sands. Thanks for sticking to your guns. I am sooooo tired of the jealousy and competitiveness in novels (and all forms of media) between women. 99% of my relations with women have been positive throughout my life & it would be nice to see this reflected in fiction.

By: Patricia Sands

Patricia Sands — Mon, 18 Sep 2017 20:47:14 +0000

” so sorry Charlie, but women of all ages do have adventures!” You are so right! I’m always amazed when agents or editors … or random whatever … make negative judgments. When I was first publishing The Bridge Club, an editor said that the friendship the eight women shared was not realistic because there was no angst or nasty conflict amongst them. I explained that was a poor stereotype and said I would not change the connections those women shared. Readers agreed and I still receive emails thanking me for sharing the kind of relationship so many women are fortunate to have in their life. I also continue to keep my protagonists over the age of fifty, something that also brings me daily emails from grateful readers !

Age should never be a factor! Thanks for this fabulous post.