What’s Age Got to do With it?
Two e-mails I received recently:
“… I’m 16, but please don’t be turned off by my age. … I’m pretty sure my age will be a disadvantage in trying to get jobs, but I’m not planning on letting anyone know how old I am unless they ask.”
“I am 18 years of age and have just passed out of school… I often wonder, what is your age? I wish to know that particular fact because I want to convince myself that age doesn’t matter- it’s your diligence that brings paychecks and credits. Are you in your late 20s?).”
HELLO? Do I sound late-twenties to you? Uh, yeah, I guess I do. And until recently, I did it on purpose. Because like the above two writers, I thought that editors would barely give me a second look if I revealed that I was 23. The typical reaction I envisioned was “Pfft. Too young. What does she know?”
People online assume I’m much older than I really am. Compound that with the fact that I’ve been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Yahoo! and Writer’s Digest and they think I have years of experience behind me and would easily be in my thirties. If Reader’s Digest sent me an acceptance, I’m sure I’d add another ten online years. That’s ironic, since in reality, people often take one look at me and assume I’m just out of high school.
Recently though, I realized that I was modifying my voice to meet the requirements of my readership. I wasn’t writing as, well, me. I was faking it. My natural voice isn’t mature and sophisticated. I can be the most brash, rude, unsophisticated writer you’ve ever read. But you wouldn’t know that just based on my online persona.
And like me, many young writers end up thinking that they won’t be taken seriously if they reveal their true age. The result? They end up modifying their natural voices and start to sound like someone else. When they finally discover their own voice, they need to start all over, because now they’re not used to unpolishing their writing. When they do embrace their natural voices however, the words flow more freely and the thoughts are much more clear. My writing has improved tremendously since I’ve started giving a free reign to my voice. I no longer need to pretty up my stuff. And my best work has come to me that way… unedited, unafraid, no holds barred. Completely personal. Completely out there. It’s work I’m proud of. It’s work that says “me.”
If an editor doesn’t think that a 23-year old can handle writing for her publication, too bad. My first bit of advice for Writer No. 1 was to target age-appropriate markets. Markets that would be open to accepting ideas from 16-year olds, such as publications for teens. If you’re sixteen, you don’t want to target the parenting market anyway. But secondly, and most importantly, I realized that my age has never really come up. No editor has ever written to me to say, “Mridu, this idea’s great. How about you tell me how old you are, so that we can determine whether or not you’re fit to handle this.” Nope. All they look at is my writing. And if that sounds like something that fits into their publication, they give me the go-ahead.
The only time when this issue could come up would be:
a. If you’re below the legal age limit. I don’t know the rules in the US (I’m guessing there’s a tax form problem there), but in India, you get a check and be done with it. Doesn’t matter whether you’re 16 or 56.
b. Meeting the editor in person. I’d say go ahead and do it anyway, but if you’re uncomfortable with your age, then avoid it. I’ve only met a couple of my editors in person and have managed to do just fine. Even if you do go out and meet them, most editors will be impressed by your age, rather than turned off by it.
Most important though, is to maintain your identity. One very talented writer who comes to mind is 17-year-old Dallas Nicole Woodburn, who has published two books, in addition to having written for national magazines such as Family Circle, Writer’s Digest, Justine, Writing, Listen, Encounter and The Hudson Valley Literary Magazine. Editors have surely been taking her seriously since she wrote her first book while still in fifth grade.
Whether you’re too young or too old, you have perspectives and opinions that only you can offer. No one else can do it the way you can, and that is what makes your writing special. So whatever your age, let it show. You’ll be a better writer for it.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:07 pm
TWENTY THREE!!! You are an amazing professional. You must’ve worked really hard in order to achieve all that you’ve achieved in these few short years. The talent is there without a doubt, however, it is the sweat (and tears) that I’m sure have gotten you where you are. You are certainly a role model for me! (Will write more later about why I have disappeared on you the past nine months.)
February 21st, 2006 at 5:08 pm
Thanks for this, Mridu! I’m 27 and I still feel like people would judge me because of my age if they knew how old I am. But it does only rarely come up (talking on the telephone usually does it for me, because I sould about 12) and I shouldn’t be as worried about it as I am. My work speaks for itself, whatever my age.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:08 pm
I had to smile when I read ‘does age matter?’ - I have the opposite problem -am I too old? it seems that the novels being published in the UK at the moment are all by bright young twenty somethings. I will be 66 this month and, although i have had success in my article and short story writing, the novel eludes me - so far. I am determined to keep trying but am aware of time flying by.
I have to say that my age has not been a barrier with my other writing but I did have a nasty moment recently when an editor asked for a photograph to accompany an article. They still published it though.
I would say if you have the talent and you are true to yourself as Mridu says, you will eventually achieve success. You just have to keep trying.
Roberta
February 21st, 2006 at 5:09 pm
People often ask me how old am I after listening to my voice. I hesitate for a moment, but when they repeat the same question again, I tell them I’m 26. I started writing when I was 23. No one has ever turned away from me because of my age. Infact, they are impressed to know my published credits.
People in my region aren’t bold enough to try their hand at something like freelancing, especially without a background in journalism. Even the editors are only keen to hire me for work, even if the come to know of my age!
February 21st, 2006 at 5:10 pm
While I’m happy to hear that other younger writers have not found their age to be an obstacle in their professions, I cannot say the same is true for me. I am a Garden Writer, and when people see that I am only 32 years old, they assume that I do not have enough life experience with plants to be able to know my subject really well. In fact, I have been immersed in the industry for many years and have been a gardener since I was 4 years old. Last year, I got my mom into Garden Writing since she is a Master Gardener and an excellent writer. When we travel together to the Garden Writers Symposium each year and people see us together, they assume my mother is the more experienced one and I am following in her footsteps, when the opposite is actually true. Age is not always a good indicator of experience and expertise!
February 21st, 2006 at 5:12 pm
I’m doing a course in writing various templates, it’s great fun but the best is the age differences not making a difference!
February 21st, 2006 at 5:13 pm
I just found all my old college papers at my parents’ house today. I was amazed as I started to look through them how well-written they are! My mom told me, “You are such an incredible writer. I never understood why you didn’t pursue it.” I’m sure I didn’t believe anyone would take a teenager seriously. I doubted myself. I hope that now I can motivate myself to attempt to break into the writing field.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:13 pm
Great blog entry Mridu! I’m 24 (25 in 2 mos) and I surprise some people when they see my writing and when I talk about my point of view on issues. I don’t think age matters as much as observation and experience. We writers are especially keen on observation!
It’s great to read your accomplishments at your age because it gives writers like myself something to reach for no matter what age we are. Keep up the great work.
February 21st, 2006 at 5:14 pm
thank u for the encouraging article. your musings have always been inspiring and energy giving for me. I m sure this will be one of the few blogs which i m going to look forwrd to my life. keep it up - great work in this ocean of blogs and obtuse stuff.
love, regards,
sudhir
February 21st, 2006 at 5:15 pm
Whew! Mridu, I can’t believe it- you have actually published my email.
Well friends, fyi, the second email’s from me.
Anyways, thanks Mridu for all your encouragement.
Your achievements have always lent strength to me. (LOL now don’t you think I’m faking my voice!)
October 26th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
Hi there…Thanks for the nice read, keep up the interesting posts..what a nice Friday