Debuting at the Age of 66

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Today’s post is by author E.S. Alexander (@ES_Alexander7), author of Lies That Blind.


Anna Sewell sold her only novel, the classic Black Beauty, when she was 57 years old. She had worked on it for six years while confined to her bed due to ill-health. It wasn’t until after Laura Ingalls Wilder had celebrated her 65th birthday that the Little House series came to prominence. And teacher-turned-memoirist, Frank McCourt, won the Pulitzer Prize for his book, Angela’s Ashes, at the age of 66.

When my debut novel, Lies That Blind, came out on October 19, I was two weeks short of my 67th birthday. Becoming a novelist has nothing to do with your age. Nor should you think that having invested your talent so far in one literary arena—as I did with nonfiction—that it’s impossible to shift gears. I’m proof positive you can do both.

In 2018 I left the United States, intending to retire in Malaysia, after a long career as a freelance journalist and the author or co-author of more than twenty mainstream published nonfiction books. Sensing that I wanted a simpler, less financially stressful life, I sold my house, my car, and all but a few personal belongings, and arrived on the island of Penang without ever having stepped foot in Southeast Asia before. My life as a writer, I’d convinced myself, would now take a back seat to reading all those books I never seemed to have time to devour, to learn the Malay language, and sample the delights of Penang’s world-famous cuisine.

But, as the Yiddish saying goes, “Man plans, God laughs.” Or, for the irreligious among you, perhaps I was just about to stumble my way through a series of fortuitous events.

Writers don’t know the word “retirement”

I’d already bought the domain name “My Year of Doing Sod All” (British vernacular for doing nothing), having suspected that it wouldn’t take long before I was desperate to get back to tapping on my keyboard. My intention had been to write a blog about the joys of loafing! But I never got round to making that site public; I soon realized that I’d never worked as a writer, I was a writer—all the way through to my marrow—and that writers never “retire.” Plus, I had long nurtured a writing dream that perhaps now I’d be able to fulfill.

As a lover of crime novels and thrillers, my first thought was to try my hand at plotting a Penang-based murder mystery. (Think: A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder by Shamini Flint, but featuring the peculiarities of Penang, rather than Kuala Lumpur.) I tried to come up with a compelling idea, but nothing gelled. Then one day, over coffee with a fellow writer and publisher, I admitted that I’d always wanted to write a novel before I died but couldn’t come up with anything that excited me.

Keith began to tell me the story of how Penang came to be possessed in the late 18th century by an agent of the East India Company (EIC) named Captain Francis Light. I was familiar with the basics: Penang was, at that time, part of the kingdom of Queda whose sultan was keen for the EIC to protect him militarily against his many regional enemies. The carrot that the sultan dangled was to allow the EIC to establish a settlement on Penang; the “Honourable Company” had been looking for a port further east than Madras where they might repair their ships traveling between India and Macau.

But the plan had gone horribly wrong. Yes, Francis Light had taken possession of Penang (rather cheekily christening it Prince of Wales Island in honour of King George III’s son, within days of setting foot there), and the island had become a thriving trading settlement not least because it imposed none of the tolls and taxes common to Queda’s ports. But by April 1791, frustrated that his demands for military protection had gone unheeded, the Malay sultan had amassed an armada of mercenaries and regional pirates to attack the tiny British stronghold, and take his island back. And by “tiny” I mean a garrison of 400 sepoys and EIC officers against an invasion force reputed to number over 20,000 men.

Even though I had made a career for myself as a nonfiction author, I knew enough about storytelling generally to recognize that here were the makings of an intriguing tale. I was reminded of Hilary Mantel’s quote in this Guardian article: “I began writing fiction when I discovered I wanted to be a historian.” I’d never adhered to the adage that you should write about what you know; as a nonfiction author and journalist I had always written about what I’d wanted to discover.

I believe that you will never compel a reader to turn the pages of your book—nonfiction or novel—unless you, as the author, love the process of writing more than almost anything else. Given a new lease of life, as far away from “retiring” as you can imagine, I spent the next two years doing as much research as I could about Francis Light, the early days of Penang, and what life was like in Malaya at that time.

But then my passion for this endeavour hit a wall. I’d tried to write a few early chapters making Light my protagonist, but nothing seemed to work. I guess I just didn’t like him all that much or couldn’t get into his head. I was starting to get dispirited, thinking I’d wasted my time, when I chanced upon an essay written by Dr. Samuel Johnson in 1758, “Of the Duty of a Journalist.” Having just read Joseph Conrad’s Lord Jim, I came up with the idea that my hero would be a similarly naïve, idealistic young man—a fledgling journalist—named Jim Lord, who maneuvers his way to becoming Francis Light’s assistant and chronicler. The further away I got from the themes of Lord Jim, as I played around with one draft after another, the more I felt inclined to change my protagonist’s name. He ends up in my novel as Jim Lloyd.

The value of lifelong learning

I’m tired of people perpetuating the myth that people over 50 are unwilling or unable to learn anything new. What rubbish! My early drafts were okay, but it soon became apparent that my thirty plus years’ experience as a nonfiction author had not prepared me adequately to write a novel. Already knowing that writing any book is like bringing up a child—it takes a village—I enrolled in online courses with titles ranging from Emotional Beats and Deep POV to Your First 15 Pages. I devoured Save the Cat; answered questions in What Would Your Character Do?; and listened to an audio seminar The Hero’s 2 Journeys, featuring those wonderful story consultants, Michael Hauge and Christopher Vogler. I also engaged three successive writing consultants, one of whom—having seen the outline of my “final” draft, nudged me to tear the whole thing apart. Which I did. For me, writing is never about the destination but how much I can learn from, and enjoy, the journey. 

With a manuscript as close to perfect as I could get it, I set my sights on being published by Penguin Random House SEA, the recently formed Singapore-based office of one of the world’s biggest publishing houses. Six months later (these folks are never that quick to respond to queries), I was offered a contract and the rest, as they say, is history.

But there is one important message I want to close with, and look forward to hearing your thoughts on, if you’d be kind enough to leave a comment: How can we shake off the ageism that our cultures seem hell bent on perpetuating, even if this is unconscious a lot of the time?

For example, one of the ways retirement evaded me when I came to Malaysia was when I was invited to get involved with the FameLab contest to find Malaysia’s Best Science Communicator. Recently the organizers asked me to moderate a webinar conversation with two individuals skilled at boiling down complex topics into easy-to-understand concepts. The virtual attendees had sent in questions in advance and one in particular grabbed my attention: How do you communicate science to the older generation? I’m sure you won’t be surprised to hear that I chose not to pursue that topic. What has age, per se, got to do with it?

Then, in preparation for this post, I went online to find out who, among well-known authors, had written their first or most successful books later in life. Imagine my surprise when most of the “oldies” appearing in these lists were barely over the age of 40!

Which is where you come in. Each of us has a responsibility, in my opinion, to use our talents for as long as we are physically and mentally capable of doing so. So please don’t think you’re too old to start writing, or to change from one genre to another as you celebrate your fortieth, fiftieth, or even sixtieth birthdays and beyond. Let’s show the world that creative individuals never retire, never lose their innate talents, and we certainly never give up.

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Anita Garner

This is inspiring! I share your concerns about ageism. My first book, “The Glory Road: A Gospel Gypsy Life” was published in April by University of Alabama Press. Two months later I celebrated my 80th birthday.

E.S. Alexander

Congratulations, Anita!

Dawne Wallerson

So there’s hope for me!!! At 61, I tell myself I’m 3 years late but hoping to finish my first soon. Thanks for the inspiration.

Kimberly Glassman

Yes, I’ve been similarly taken aback by the listings of “old” debut writers (nearly 50! one foot in the grave!). I was delighted to read your saga…and wonder if you think it’s been made slightly smoother by having spent the previous decades also Writing, rather than, say, being a plumber or architect. You and I are pretty much the same vintage, but my Previous Life was spent in a lab as a research scientist. I’m hoping that the much bandied-about “10 years” to really get going in writing is not a Hard and Fast Rule.

E.S. Alexander

Yes, I see your point, Kimberly. Although I did find the transition from non-fiction to a novel more of a challenge than I’d expected, despite having been a professional writer for over 30 years. The key is whether or not you’re a natural storyteller. You might have had to hone that talent (despite not realising it) when writing grant proposals or “selling” your research work to clients etc. Some people take to writing like a duck to water…as you look back on your career you might think about times when you told a compelling story. All you have to do now is apply that talent in a different arena. Good luck!

Luanne G. Smith

I was 56 when my debut novel came out. Part of it was it took me a very long time to break into publishing (twenty years to finally write the right project and get an agent). Just wrapping up my to-be-published fifth book now at age 58! At a time when many consider retiring, I’ve never been busier.

E.S. Alexander

Congratulations, Luanne – we never stop being relevant! I wish a lot of employers could embrace that message 🙂

Garry Rodgers

Well spoken, Liz, and I hope there are many more novels coming from your pencil. I just turned 65 and am starting on the largest writing project I’ve ever undertaken (and I have a lot under my belt). I can’t see ever stopping until I run out of gas.

Harald Johnson

Right on, Garry!

E.S. Alexander

Good for you, Garry – me neither 🙂 Rock on!

Deb Gorman

Hey, Garry . . good to meet here!

Linda Barrett

You’re definitely not alone in your thinking! I was first published by Harlequin Books at the age of 53 and have written 24 books since then. I’ve thought about retiring twice–but after almost a year each time, found myself back at the keyboard. Perhaps I just needed some down time. I’m almost 75 now, healthy and still kicking, but again have given myself an interlude. We’ll see what happens. All I know is that “writers write.” Perhaps in another form or genre next time. Wishing you all the best in your new career as a novelist.

E.S. Alexander

Spot on, Linda…I wish you, too, all the best in your future endeavours. And, yes, taking a hiatus/interlude from time to time really gets the creative juices flowing again. Ironic, isn’t it, that we don’t feel the need to rush at things like young people do, lol?

MargaretLindsayHolton

Wonderful!

Janine Gleason

Dear Liz,

Your November 8th post, “Debuting at the Age of 66” resonated fiercely with me. I am 71 years old and recently self-published my first children’s book. Happily, the first printing sold out within a month.

Currently, I am polishing the final draft of my first novella, as well as finishing my second novella.
Every day that I sit down to write brings an inner joy that I can’t describe.
As long as I can continue to write, I have no plans to stop—regardless of my age.

To sort of quote Tina Turner, “What’s age got to do with it?”

Thanks again for your post.

E.S. Alexander

You are most welcome, Janine – thank you so much for reading – and many congratulations on your successes. To have a first printing sell out in a month is phenomenal (not least, these days). Tina was spot on…

Joy Neal Kidney

My first book was published when I was 75. The second was published the day before I turned 77. Working on the next one!

E.S. Alexander

Congratulations, Joy!

Carol Edge

Congratulations! You’re an inspiration! Keep it going strong.
I’m 75 and giving up on publishing my two novels. Rather, I’m giving up on traditional publication. DIY publication is daunting, but I believe in my work. Your example bolsters my courage!

Debbie Burke

So much truth and wisdom in this, Liz!

After 30+ years of full-time writing and hundreds of rave rejections, my goal was a published novel by age 65. Missed it by a year but, at this point in life, a year is a blink.

Unlike athletes who peak at age 25-30 and it’s all downhill from there, writers can only improve with time. You have a greater breadth of experience and understanding of human nature, along with equanimity to take disappointments and setbacks better.

As to ageism, my only answer is to prove the doubters wrong.

E.S. Alexander

You are so right, Debbie! I could never have written this novel in my 20s or 30s. I needed that life experience to “get” Jim Lloyd my 19-year old protagonist.

MargaretLindsayHolton

Agree, 100%.

Deb Gorman

Hi, Debbie!

Sabrina Ricks

This post resonates with me so deeply. I wanted to go to school and study Astrophysics and Chemistry so I could be a NASA scientist when I was only 16. Life happened and the next 38 years have been spent raising my five children, three with autism, to go out and have glorious lives of their own design. Now, at 54, having somehow gotten a Masters degree along the way and working full time as a single mother for many years, I’m ready to follow my new dreams. One of my autistic daughters and I are creating a children’s book for those who suffered abuse, or trauma of any kind really. Our goal is to have this book in every school library and every child psychologist’s hand as a tool to help the millions who suffer in silence, having no voice of their own … we will give them a voice in the #metoo movement. I’ve never written a book before. I have several inside waiting to be written. Any suggestions on how to get an agent or get established enough to get my books published? There will be an adult version of the book for healing. We have other children’s parables ready to create and from there… who knows what we will work on! Oh, my daughter… has a BFA in Illustration. We make a great team!

E.S. Alexander

Let me start by saying congratulations to you, Sabrina – yours is an inspiring story and I’m sure your book will be a much needed success. You do sound like a great team.

I’ll hand over to Jane for advice on getting an agent. I didn’t need one as Penguin SEA took submissions directly from regional writers – I live in Penang, where my book is set. Mind you, I had to wait 6 months before I heard back from them with a “yes, send us the full manuscript.” We writers need to be a patient lot…unless you go the self-publishing route, of course! Good luck.

Charlotte

Finally at the age of 55 I braved my life long dream. Two short courses, lots of podcasts, workshops, and a pile of books on writing and here I am, almost four years later, with 2nd novel at the editors, 3rd on the home run. I agree with Debbie Burke—prove them wrong. My father at 86 is still learning new stuff. When it comes to writing, a little life experience can go a long way. Thanks Liz, for an encouraging article.

E.S. Alexander

Thanks so much for reading and responding, Charlotte. Congratulations on your successes. Your Dad sounds amazing too.