Does age and experience matter in writing? - Page 2 - Writers Forum

pacifist guerrilla · 10-09-2008, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black Board

Age and experience don't go hand in hand; they're separate issues, in my opinion.

One certainly does not cause the other, but there's a pretty solid correlation between them. Kind of like how a short, white guy can be as good a basketball player as a tall, black guy. It may not be likely, but you're right - it's definitely possible.

As far as writing skills go, I don't think age is that great a factor.

valeca · 10-09-2008, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin

The problem with the question is something like this: a 60 year old guy has 40 years of experience teaching in a small college or working on an assembly line, and there's this 19 year old who spent almost all his last 6 years in gangs, prisons, and institutions. Or trying to survive in an Old World war zone before suddenly being brought to the States.

Now... who is experienced?

It really depends on the story.

If the focal character is a 60-something man who's beaten down by years of repetitive work on an assembly line and dreams of what his life could have been like if only he'd taken more risks...the first guy would most likely be better equipped to write from experience.

If, however, the focal character is a 20-something immigrant with a record facing the obstacles of making a fresh start in the States, the second guy has the more experience.

Like I said, as with anything, it depends on the person, their abilities, and their experiences.

lin · 10-09-2008, 12:46 PM

One big difference: hang in there and you get age and experience. Not so with talent.

terrib · 10-09-2008, 01:01 PM

well said, lin

Damien. · 10-09-2008, 01:40 PM

Heh heh heh I love your halloween avatar, valeca. You have lulz over here. I think lin should do the same; it'd look hot.

Brief derailment ended.

Roxane2 · 10-09-2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Is the belief that authors lose it after a certain number of novels a myth?

I think authors that write autobiographical novels often "loose it" after one and maybe two novels.

L.C.Mills · 10-09-2008, 02:05 PM

I'm 18, I feel like I write pretty well...

Back in the day, I was scared to let certain things come out in my writing. As I grew older, however, I kind of "let go" and I feel like my writing has flourished as a result.

Soo, I got better with age and experience, and hopefully will continue to do so.

-E.

adrianhayter · 10-09-2008, 02:09 PM

I always hesitate to participate in these discussions-sounds so arrogant making announcements as if they’re written in stone when I’ve never even chiseled my initials. But, what the hell, that doesn’t stop anybody else.

Neither age nor experience is the prime ingredient.

I joined this forum because I read a piece by a young guy that blew me away. He’s long gone, sadly for me and maybe others. He was self destructive but brutally honest and I still believe that’s the answer- honesty.

I think a sixteen-year-old can dig as deeply as a sixty-year-old – if they’re willing.

Adrian

JosephB · 10-09-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adrianhayter

I always hesitate to participate in these discussions-sounds so arrogant making announcements if they’re written in stone and I’ve never even chiseled my initials.

It may seem that way. I think most are just giving their opinions. It's a little tedious to precede everything with, "Here's what I think..." or "In my opinion..."

That doesn't mean some folks don't think their opinions should be in stone.

But in my opinion, I'd like to see your's more often, in stone or otherwise.

Candrah · 10-09-2008, 03:29 PM

Here's a thought - if you want to write a horror story about a brutal murder, do you need to go out and gain firsthand experience before you can write the story well? what if, like JK Rowling, you want to write a fantasy story filled with magic, elves and other worlds? Where to you get firsthand experience of that?

I hear a lot about write what you know and thats fine if you're writing non-fiction or autobiographical stuff. But in fiction, isnt it about imagination? Surely the only limit to writing in that case is the limit of your imagination and of course your talent?

Black_Board · 10-09-2008, 03:44 PM

What you know is not describing what you physically know or what you were indoctrinated in schools or your profession, but the universal truth of what you felt and experienced when situation A occured or when scene B transpired.

What you know is describing how you would act under extraordinary circumstance. Would you swear? What kind of swear words would come flying out your mouth? Would it be possible you would swear in front of a six-year-old child? Or try to keep it down in your throat and only scream in your head?

That is what what you know means to me. How would a character act when a peculiar incident arises?

Black_Board · 10-09-2008, 03:50 PM

It has nothing to do with witnessing a physical destruction of a character, but trying to feel what the murderer felt during the strangulation, stabbing, shooting of his victim. What was going on through his head? Was he guilty, remorseful, shocked, angry, in denial, or a combination of all of the above? How does certain characters react to different situations, compared to others? This is where write what you know comes in.

JosephB · 10-09-2008, 04:09 PM

Quote:

I hear a lot about write what you know and thats fine if you're writing non-fiction or autobiographical stuff. But in fiction, isnt it about imagination? Surely the only limit to writing in that case is the limit of your imagination and of course your talent?

Candrah, I also tend to think it's about imagination and creativity more than anything. I'm not a big proponent of the idea that you should "write what you know" and think it doesn't have that much to do with it. It's easier to write what you know. But I think with imagination, skill and with the necessary research, a good writer can put himself inside anyone's head.

lin · 10-09-2008, 04:14 PM

Quote:

I think authors that write autobiographical novels often "loose it" after one and maybe two novels.

Good point. Especially if you stretch "autobiography" into exploring the same neighborhood and issues: note Mario Puzo burning out on the whole mafia thing.

This is a good counterpoint to a comment I read by some total moron over on Literary Mary... the guy was saying that the whole idea is to keep repeating the same memories in writing, over and over until they become perfect.

Yeah, good for therapy. And then when you get better, what have you got left to write about?

Candrah · 10-09-2008, 04:22 PM

Definitely. (heh, this is related to Joseph's post. Spent so long thinking that Lin got in before me.)

I'm new to the whole writing thing - more of an artist and reader to be honest, but I'm learning. What I find interesting and challenging is creating a story or character thats believable, and having someone read what I've written and be affected by it. Have them believe it. Even if i've never experienced what the character has. Don't get me wrong, I've seen and done a thing or two in my time - I just don't rely on my own experiences of life in order to be a good writer(jury's out on that one...).

I think I also agree with Blackboard? Note to self - explain my thoughts better in future.