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Starting a Writing Career Later in Life

Age is no barrier when it comes to pursuing your passion for writing. If you’re an older individual dreaming of starting a writing career, this guide will show you how to turn your life experiences into compelling stories.

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Manuscript Mentoring

Oct. 10, 2024 · 12 Min Read

Introduction

Introduction

Have you ever thought, “Is it too late for me to start writing?” The answer is a resounding no. Starting a writing career later in life can be one of the most fulfilling and enriching endeavors you embark on. Your experiences, unique perspectives, and matured voice are assets that can set your writing apart in the literary world. In fact, many readers crave stories infused with the depth that only comes with age.

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The Unique Advantages of Starting to Write Later in Life

The Unique Advantages of Starting to Write Later in Life

Leveraging Professional Experiences

Leveraging Professional Experience

Your professional background is a valuable asset when it comes to writing. Decades spent in a particular field have no doubt provided you with specialized knowledge and insights that can bring authenticity and depth to your stories. By incorporating elements of your career into your writing, you can create more believable settings, scenarios, and characters.

Examples of How Professional Experience Enhances Writing

  • Legal Professionals: If you have experience as a civil or criminal attorney, you can craft compelling courtroom dramas or legal thrillers. Your firsthand knowledge of legal procedures, courtroom etiquette, and the intricacies of the justice system can add enough realism to captivates readers.

  • Medical Practitioners: Doctors and nurses can write medical dramas or thrillers with authentic medical terminology and realistic hospital settings. Your understanding of medical ethics, patient care, and the pressures of the healthcare system can deepen the narrative.

  • Engineers and Scientists: A background in engineering or science enables you to write credible science fiction or technical thrillers. For example, a mechanical engineer can authoritatively describe a malfunction on an airplane or spacecraft, adding technical depth that enhances the story's plausibility.

  • Educators: Teachers and professors can provide insights into academic settings, student dynamics, and educational challenges. This experience can enrich stories about personal growth, mentorship, or the complexities of the educational system.

  • Business Professionals: Experience in the corporate world allows you to depict corporate intrigue, entrepreneurship, or economic struggles authentically. Understanding business strategies, office politics, and market challenges can add layers of complexity to your narrative.

  • Military or Law Enforcement: Veterans and former officers can bring authenticity to action-packed stories or crime novels. Your knowledge of protocols, tactics, and the emotional toll of the job can create gripping and realistic scenarios.

Specialized knowledge can set your work apart by appealing to readers who appreciate accurate and detailed representations of specific fields.

A table stacked with contemporary, well-known books.
More Time and Focus

More Time and Focus

As you reach a stage in life where career pressures lessen and familial responsibilities shift, you often gain more time to dedicate to personal pursuits like writing. This newfound freedom allows you to establish a consistent writing routine without the interruptions that come with a busy work life or raising a young family.


Having a regular writing schedule is crucial for making progress on a manuscript. Many aspiring writers struggle to complete their books due to time constraints and competing priorities. Surveys indicate that while a significant number of adults express a desire to write a book someday, only a small fraction take steps toward that goal, and even fewer see it through to completion.


For example, during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)—an annual event where writers aim to pen a 50,000-word novel in November—only about 15% of participants reach their goal each year. This highlights how challenging it can be to maintain momentum without sufficient time and focus.


As an older writer, you have advantages that increase your likelihood of finishing your writing projects:

  • More Available Time: With retirement or reduced working hours, you have greater flexibility to dedicate uninterrupted time to writing.

  • Fewer Distractions: With children grown and household responsibilities diminished, you can focus more fully on your creative endeavors.

  • Discipline and Patience: Life experience often brings increased discipline, patience, and a strong work ethic—all valuable traits for completing a long-term project like a novel.

 

By leveraging the additional time and focus available to you at this stage in life, you can overcome common obstacles that prevent many aspiring writers from finishing their books. 

An older woman writing in a notebook.
Essential Beginner Techniques to Instantly Improve Your Writing

Essential Beginner Techniques to Instantly Improve Your Writing

Putting pen to paper for the first time can be daunting, no matter your age. However, there are some straightforward fixes you can apply that will immediately improve the quality of your prose:


Eliminate Redundant Modifiers: Words like “very,” “really,” and “just” often add little value. Removing them makes your writing more concise and impactful.

 

  • Example: Change “She was very happy” to “She was ecstatic.”


Have a look at our Wordy Writing: Adjectives and Adverbs article for a thorough explanation.


Simplify Complex Sentences: Long, convoluted sentences can confuse readers. Break them into shorter, clearer sentences to enhance readability.

 

  • Example: Instead of “Due to the fact that the weather was inclement, the event was postponed,” write “The event was postponed because of bad weather.”


Use Active Voice: Active voice makes your writing more direct and vigorous.

 

  • Example: Replace “The cake was eaten by the children” with “The children ate the cake.”


For a better explanation on the difference between the active and passive voice, have a look at our article on the topic.


Choose Strong Verbs: Replace weak verbs combined with adverbs or adjectives with more precise verbs.

 

  • Example: Instead of “She walked slowly,” use “She strolled” or “She sauntered.”


For more information, check out our article on strong active verbs.


Be Specific: Specific details engage readers more effectively than general statements.

 

  • Example: “He drove a car” is less engaging than “He sped down the highway in his vintage Mustang.”


Cut Unnecessary Words: Every word should serve a purpose. If a word doesn’t add meaning, consider removing it.

 

  • Example: Change “In order to succeed” to “To succeed.”


Revise for Clarity: After writing, review your work to ensure ideas are expressed clearly and logically.


By focusing on these issues, you’ll almost certainly improve as a writer. However, real growth is difficult to attain without outside help.

An older woman writing and smiling.
How to Get Better as a Writer If You're on a Budget

How to Get Better as a Writer If You’re on a Budget

Getting help doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are some cost-effective ways to enhance your skills:


Attend Writing Workshops and Classes

  • Community Centers and Libraries: Many offer free or low-cost writing workshops led by experienced instructors.

  • Online Courses: Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy provide affordable courses on various writing topics.


Join Writing Groups

  • Local Writing Groups: Connect with other writers in your area for mutual support and feedback.

  • Online Forums and Communities: Websites like Scribophile and WritersCafe allow you to share your work and receive critiques from peers.


Utilize Free Resources

  • Writing Blogs and Podcasts: Many professional writers share tips and advice online.

  • Library Resources: Books on writing techniques and guides are often available at your local library.


While these methods are beneficial, more personalized feedback—such as engaging directly with experienced editors—can significantly accelerate your improvement. 

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How to Get Better as a Writer if You're Looking for Drastic Improvement

How to Get Better as a Writer If You’re Looking for Drastic Improvement

If you’re aiming for significant progress in your writing, hiring a professional book editor or engaging with a reputable book editing company can provide the expert support you need to elevate your writing.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Book Editor

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Book Editor

  • Personalized Feedback: Editors provide detailed critiques focused on your unique strengths and weaknesses. This individualized attention helps you understand where your writing excels and where it could improve.

  • Enhanced Writing Quality: Editors meticulously refine grammar, punctuation, and syntax, ensuring your manuscript is polished and professional. They help eliminate redundancies and enhance clarity and coherence so your message resonates with readers. By strengthening your storytelling techniques, they make your work more engaging.

  • Advanced Writing Techniques: Through collaboration, editors can improve writing techniques associated with character development, pacing, and plot structuring. They also assist with sentence and paragraph improvement, enhancing flow, coherence, and style at the micro-level to ensure each sentence contributes meaningfully to your work. This deepens your understanding of the craft and reduces the time it takes to improve as a writer.

  • Support and Motivation: Writing can be a solitary endeavor, which may lead to feelings of isolation. Working with an editor provides a supportive professional relationship that keeps you motivated and engaged. They act as a sounding board for ideas and offer encouragement throughout your writing journey.

  • Professional Insight: Experienced editors usually have a wealth of knowledge about the publishing industry. They can provide advice on market trends, genre expectations, and submission guidelines, helping you position your work effectively.

  • Time Efficiency: Collaborating with an editor can significantly reduce the time it takes to improve as a writer. Their expertise allows you to make rapid progress that might take much longer to achieve on your own.

Finding the Right Book Editor

Finding the Right Book Editor

Before seeking an editor, it’s important to understand what type of editing your manuscript requires. There are several levels:

 

  • Developmental Editing: Focuses on the overall structure, content, and organization of your manuscript. Ideal if you’re looking for feedback on big-picture elements.

  • Line editing: Addresses grammar, style, and consistency. Ensures your writing is clear and free of errors that could distract readers. Additionally, line editing improves your writing patterns by refining sentence structure and enhancing the flow of your prose.

  • Proofreading: Catches typos and minor errors before publication. It’s the final polish to make your work shine.


Some book editing companies, such as Manuscript Mentoring, offer book editing services that combine all three of the above types of editing into one. Assess your manuscript to determine which services align with your needs and goals. Remember, investing in the appropriate level of editing can make a significant difference in the quality of your final product.

Reading glasses and an pocket watch lying on an open book.

Qualities to Look For in a Book Editor

When selecting a book editor, consider the following qualities:

  • Expertise in Your Genre: Familiarity with your genre ensures relevant and effective feedback. Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, genre-specific knowledge is invaluable.

  • Strong Communication Skills: Clear and respectful communication fosters a positive working relationship. You should feel comfortable discussing ideas and expressing concerns.

  • Collaborative Approach: An editor should respect your voice and help you enhance it, not override it. They should offer suggestions that align with your vision for your work.

Assessing Compatibility

Compatibility is key to a successful editorial relationship. Here are steps to ensure a good fit:

 

  • Initial Consultation: Have a conversation to discuss your project, expectations, and working methods. This is an opportunity to assess their enthusiasm and understanding of your goals.

  • Initial Edit: Order an initial edit of a few pages or a single chapter to gauge the editor’s style. This will help you see how they interact with your work.

  • Budget Alignment: Be upfront about fees to ensure their services fit within your budget. Discuss payment structures and any available options for flexibility. Avoid using editors who can’t provide accurate pricing estimates.

Building a rapport with your editor can greatly enhance the editing process and the quality of your final manuscript.

Investing in Your Writing Success

Investing in Your Writing Success

Value Over Cost

Value Over Cost

Hiring a professional editor is an investment in your writing career. While there is a cost involved, the value they provide can be substantial. A well-edited manuscript has a higher chance of attracting publishers or resonating with readers if you choose to self-publish. Consider the long-term benefits of producing high-quality work that stands out in the market. Quality often translates to credibility and can open doors to speaking engagements, book signings, and other opportunities.

Budgeting Tips

Budgeting Tips

To manage the financial aspect:

 

  • Plan Ahead: Set aside funds specifically for editing services as part of your project budget. Consider it a necessary expense, much like purchasing supplies.

  • Negotiate Terms: Some editors may offer payment plans or flexible arrangements. Don’t hesitate to discuss your financial needs openly.


Remember, the goal is to enhance your work without causing undue financial strain.

An old man smiling and reading.
Long-Term Benefits

Long-Term Benefits

Investing in professional editing not only improves your current manuscript but also enhances your skills for future projects. The insights and knowledge gained through this collaboration can elevate your writing overall, leading to greater satisfaction and success in your writing career. As your proficiency grows, you may find that you require less intensive editing, further maximizing your investment.

Staying Motivated and Productive as a Writer

Staying Motivated and Productive as a Writer

Setting Personal Goals

Setting Personal Goals

Establish clear, achievable writing goals to keep yourself motivated. This could be a daily word count, completing a chapter, or setting a publication date. Goals provide direction and a sense of accomplishment as you progress. Consider using a planner or digital tool to track your milestones.

Creating a Writing Routine

Creating a Writing Routine

Consistency is key in writing. Determine the time of day when you’re most productive and set aside that time for writing. Whether it’s early morning or late evening, a routine helps build momentum. Creating a dedicated writing space can also enhance focus and signal to yourself that it’s time to create.

Success Stories and Inspirations

Success Stories and Inspirations

Late-Blooming Authors

Late-Blooming Authors

Many renowned authors started their careers later in life:

 

  • Laura Ingalls Wilder published her first “Little House” book at 65.

  • Frank McCourt wrote his Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir “Angela’s Ashes” at 66.

  • Raymond Chandler began writing detective novels at 44 after losing his job during the Great Depression.

  • Mary Wesley published her first adult novel at 71, going on to write several bestsellers.

An open novel.
Quotes and Wisdom

Quotes and Wisdom

  • “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C. S. Lewis

  • “It’s never too late—in fiction or in life—to revise.” – Nancy Thayer

  • “Age is no barrier. It’s a limitation you put on your mind.” – Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Manuscript Mentoring

If you’re ready to embark on your writing journey, get in touch with Manuscript Mentoring today. Our expertise can help you transform your manuscript from a personal project into a polished work ready for readers everywhere.

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