Age – perception and reality

I will no longer see 20, 30, 40, 50 or even 60, but I don’t see myself as old. In my head, I’m still 28. Okay, possibly 32.

Last week, we hosted our children and grandchildren in the middle of a heatwave – up to 37C. By the end of the week, I felt 100 years old. Or more honestly, what I considered I might feel at 100. I might not get there, I might become a sprightly old dear. Or (more likely), a grumpy old woman.

But  I caught myself out. Why did I assume I will be diminished and enfeebled? Why wouldn’t I still be working on my next novel?

Sure, I’d be taking it easier, walking a little slower, even taking an afternoon nap and going to bed early at 10pm, but that wouldn’t mean I would have come to a grinding halt.

But like all the ‘isms’, there’s always a gap between reality and perception. And let’s not even mention fake news or alternative facts.

Not only is ageism hard to avoid in life but it’s the same in any line of work, in the arts, and in every aspect of our culture, which is a great pity. It can inspire, especially when you’re told to take it easy now you’ve retired. (Falls over laughing.) Such a remark tends to spur me on. And who doesn’t like a challenge?

How does this matter when writing in order to publish?

Perhaps agents and publishers would prefer to publish a first novel by a 30-year-old writer with a potential career ahead of several decades than by a 70-year-old veteran writer, no matter how distinguished the latter’s career. Unless your recent book or books have sold exceptionally well, it’s a rough market for a new book, no matter its quality.

This is where self- or indie publishing enters the arena… Apart from relishing the enormous benefits of choice and control about every aspect of writing and publishing your book, you don’t need to explain or defend your age. There is no gatekeeper worrying if you can keep up and it’s totally irrelevant to the reader. Of course, going the independent route involves a lot of hard work, but that’s another story.

Older writers have secret assets

They’ve lived a long time, learnt a lot and gained many insights through experience, something many 30-year-olds haven’t had time to accumulate. They’re also more crafty, patient and persistent. They’ve had to be – they’ve survived life so far.

It’s not about age itself, but the perception of age

In Real Life, we ‘mature’ people, as children of the 1970s, wear jeans and trainers, go out dancing, drink and work ridiculous schedules. Many volunteer and end up running groups and associations, working as many unpaid hours as they did paid hours before officially retiring. We have zero idea about how to be ‘old’ and how to fit into society’s idea of senior citizens.

We’re often looking after our children’s children or our own parents. Either requires stamina, patience and an agile mind, Yes, we probably become a little tireder and may visit the doctor a little more often than when younger, but most of us are not at the slippers and knitted rug stage, if that was ever a thing.

And let’s just see writers as writers – people who create worlds and characters, and tell stories to beguile, challenge and enchant. It’s what they produce that counts, not the count of their years.

Alison Morton is the author of Roma Nova thrillers –  INCEPTIO, CARINA (novella), PERFIDITAS, SUCCESSIO,  AURELIA, NEXUS (novella), INSURRECTIO  and RETALIO,  and ROMA NOVA EXTRA, a collection of short stories. JULIA PRIMA and EXSILIUM,  set in the late 4th century, tell the story of Roma Nova’s foundation.  Audiobooks are available for four of the series. Double Identity, Double Pursuit and Double Stakes form a new contemporary thriller series. A new collection of Roma Nova short stories, HEROICA, is now out. 

Find out more about Roma Nova, its origins, stories and heroines and taste world the latest contemporary thriller Double Identity… Download ‘Welcome to Alison Morton’s Thriller Worlds’, a FREE eBook, as a thank you gift when you sign up to Alison’s monthly email update. As a result, you’ll be among the first to know about news and book progress before everybody else, and take part in giveaways.