As I've mentioned previously, several years ago I started a new career as a writer. I had no experience except in academic writing - not related in any way to the light mysteries I read for fun and and the type of entertaining books I wanted to write.
In my beginning stage, I came across a true story (undoubtedly sent my way by the Universe) that convinced me, at my age or any age, to go ahead and follow my dream. I did and it worked out well. Having a new chapter to write gets me going every day.
My inspiring heroine is Betty Neels. One day by accident, Betty overheard a woman in her local library complain about the lack of good romance novels. Betty, a retired nurse and a voracious reader with time on her hands, decided to fill the gap. She was fifty-nine years old when she published her first novel. That's remarkable by itself but she went on to complete 134 romance novels, often writing four a year. She wrote until her death at the age of ninety-one in 2001. Her sweet, chaste romances were popular during her lifetime and are still selling.
Betty proved we are never too old to take a chance on something new and make a success of it. Way to go, Betty!
I agree, Pat. We are never too old and I am proof of that. I didn't start to publish my writing until I was middle-aged. Just tonight I had another essay accepted. Each one thrills me like the first thing. I have no plans to publish a book, but I think anyone who wants to should go for it no matter their age. Good post.
ReplyDeleteTHANKS, GLENDA. I'M SO THRILLED AT KNOWING YOU AND SO MANY OTHER WOMEN OVER FIFTY WHO ARE MOTIVATED, ENTHUSIASTIC, AND ACCOMPLISHING ALL KINDS OF WONDERFUL THINGS. MORE POWER TO ALL OF US!
ReplyDelete