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At 42, with my writing career only just beginning to slowly gather speed, I often feel like I started too late. But actually, I couldn& #39;t have coped with this job had I been younger.
A thread.
A thread.
I have huge admiration for authors finding literary success in their early twenties, but I know I& #39;d have struggled. And I know many do.
Not only is this job unpredictable and badly paid, but so much hinges on the subjective opinion of unqualified strangers.
That& #39;s a lot when -
Not only is this job unpredictable and badly paid, but so much hinges on the subjective opinion of unqualified strangers.
That& #39;s a lot when -
You& #39;re at an age when you& #39;re discovering who you are. When you also want so much more besides (stability, love, a solid career path). To live inside your head while living out loud is a massive push and pull of not being truly present nor satisfied.
Writing makes you absent.
Writing makes you absent.
I found my 20s HARD, and I& #39;m thankful that my 9-5 job and regular salary wasn& #39;t where the drama was at.
I see a lot of young authors struggling with their mental health and I care so much, because everything is bigger when you& #39;re younger. Everything feels so final.
I see a lot of young authors struggling with their mental health and I care so much, because everything is bigger when you& #39;re younger. Everything feels so final.
So I guess this is a message for all you talented young writers to say yes, follow your dreams but be kind to yourself.
Creative success isn& #39;t a steady trajectory and this industry is not a meritocracy. Whether you& #39;re an instant bestseller or it takes you 15 years, that -
Creative success isn& #39;t a steady trajectory and this industry is not a meritocracy. Whether you& #39;re an instant bestseller or it takes you 15 years, that -
Won& #39;t be the case always. Make space for you. Have a life you love as well, and please don& #39;t base your worth on the success of your stories based on a benchmark only you have set.
Because you have your whole life to tell stories. They won& #39;t leave you.
Because you have your whole life to tell stories. They won& #39;t leave you.
Write how you want, when you want, and take it easy. People will always want books and your story matters. But not if it makes you ill.
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