Does age and experience matter in writing? - Writers Forum

HarryG · 10-07-2008, 04:36 PM

Over the last tranquil, but slightly troubled three weeks, I had the opportunity and pleasure to read two books written by authors at the opposing end of the 'age' scale. The first author was in his (her's) early twenties, the second was near pensionable age. I may as well state it it here, but the fact that they were both American is an irrelevance.

Both authors were irreverent observers of life, both wrote like angels, and both were not afraid to comment on race, religion, sexuality, politics and used the fuck word when appropriate. Both were using the maxim of writing what they know, and both books were commercial successes.

I was astounded that the young writer could write as entertainingly as the older one who had a far superior knowledge of life, in fact, it destroyed one of my long-held beliefs, bearing in mind the 'write what you know' philosophy.

(I also had a couple of Bill Brysons' for light relief).

valeca · 10-07-2008, 05:01 PM

As with anything, it depends on the person, their abilities, and their experiences.

JosephB · 10-07-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Does age and experience matter in writing?

Sounds like you answered your own question.

Mike C · 10-07-2008, 05:17 PM

Who were they?

HarryG · 10-08-2008, 03:21 PM

I left a dozen (airport) books behind in a hot north African country, and can only remember the female writer's first name, which was Stephanie.

Previously, I never thought that very young writers could possible write with any authority on subjects they couldn't possibly know about from personal experience, and this seems to be the general belief, but it always made me think when seeing an 18-year-old author in the bestsellers list.

Sheer writing ability can be the only answer, and if you have it at eighteen, you should have it at fifty.

It begs the question, could you lose it? Norman Mailer's last works were inferior to his startling beginnings, Phillip Roth seems to be losing it, Ian Rankin is lost without Rebus and I wonder what JK Rowling is going to come up with.

Is there an optimum age for writers? I don't think so.

JosephB · 10-08-2008, 04:00 PM

Sure, you can lose it. For a variety of reasons.

An example is Pat Conroy. I loved his first few novels. But he adhered too closely, for whatever reason, to "write what you know." The books explored the same themes, based on his past -- his relationship with his father, the area in which he grew up, etc. He simply exhausted them and attempts to move on, in my opinion, failed. So I think some authors simply run out of ideas. They burn out.

Now, there are mystery writers etc, who seem to be able to rehash the same thing over and over and still maintain a loyal audience and sell books. My dad reads these crime books by this author that are all centered around the horse racing world. To me, they all seem the same, but the author still cranks them out and people buy them. But you're talking about Mailer and Roth -- a whole different level of writing.

And then there is the case of Harper Lee, who wrote one brilliant novel -- and that was it. I don't know why -- maybe the realization it would be impossible to top it. A shame, because a novel half as good as To Kill a Mockingbird, would still be wonderful.

Sam Winchester · 10-08-2008, 04:09 PM

Is the belief that authors lose it after a certain number of novels a myth? Sadly, I don't think it is. Cases in point: Tom Clancy, Stephen King, James Patterson. All of them had brilliant debut novels and, certainly in Clancy's case, a few brilliant follow-ons. Since, their work has become tedious, and I am of the opinion that if a new author submitted works like The Teeth of the Tiger or Cradle and All they'd be rejected immediately.

As Val said, Harry, it depends on experience. Could I write a novel from the perspective of a woman who had been raped? I could, though not very well. Could I write a novel based around the IRA and Irish history? Very much so. Experience varies. Someone at eighteen could have the life experience of a forty-year-old, and vice-versa.

Age isn't pre-requisite for writing ability. There are some young people who could write quite well because they've read more. Someone who's smarter might also have a better chance of being a good young writer.

Industrial · 10-08-2008, 04:17 PM

age brings wisdom and experience but talent is ageless.

depends on situation everyones life is different and you can have some young dude who has been though different experiences then an older person.

Ana Kata · 10-08-2008, 04:35 PM

Age: A bit.
Experience: Yes.

lin · 10-08-2008, 04:50 PM

Yes and no. No amount of experience or schooling will substitute for talent.

That said, writing is, more than any of the arts, based on personal experience and has had very few prodigies. (Most of them French).

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?

lin · 10-08-2008, 04:51 PM

I know, I know, Jimi Hendrix

Non Serviam · 10-08-2008, 04:56 PM

Other: it depends.

Age and experience are of primary importance when I'm older and more experienced than the person I'm talking to.

When they're older and more experienced than me, age and experience are totally irrelevant.

HarryG · 10-08-2008, 05:02 PM

Harper Lee, dreamtime. Couldn't be topped, could it?

Perhaps some of the others should have known when to stop, too. But that's not human nature, is it?

Bonfire of the Vanities – how the fuck can you follow that?

A diminutive Scottish lady showed the way, she wrote magic that transformed the world, and went on to write some more, and then some.

And, Sam, the books about what you know haven't been too plentiful, the scars are still too recent, the peace is too fragile and they'll be singing the songs for a few more years.

Lee was 30-years old, in literary terms at that time that would equate to an 18-year-old now, or even younger.

So, I appear to have answered my own question, age is an irrelevance, writing ability isn't.

The Backward OX · 10-09-2008, 02:08 AM

Harry, some months past you were pondering that the words wouldn't come and whether you'd written yourself out.

Black_Board · 10-09-2008, 02:57 AM

Experience; yes. Age; no.

Experience matters, but ages does not. Experience will lead to better writing, not age. A twenty-year-old can have greater experience and grasp of the vernacular than an old man in his fifties. I've seen forty-year-olds acting like kids. Age and experience don't go hand in hand; they're separate issues, in my opinion.