Writers on Writing: Lee Child on Starting Writing After 40

In this interview, bestselling novelist Lee Child (Jack Reacher novels) explains why it's better to start writing later in life.

[dandeangeli]

I am starting my writing career now at 58 (good christ). My book is a memoir. I have lot to say. Wish me luck!

[mrchronicblack]

My first book was published in 2012 at the age of 39. I'm working on my 12th book now as we speak. It's never too late to start writing.

[TheWillHadcroft]

This video was heart warming. I have spent all my life writing and enjoyed some modest success with small press publishers, but only at age 49 was I invited to submit storylines to a BBC range of Doctor Who audiobooks (one hour prose story to be read by a single voice, an actor from the series). They commissioned one of them. Thanks to Covid, production has been delayed. I will be 52 by the time it is released on CD. So, aspiring writers, never give up!

[LesandaMooreAuthor]

I've always wanted to be a writer since childhood. Life happened and it got put on the back burner. Here I am now at 40 years old starting my writing career. I just finished 3 children's book manuscripts and I'm participating in NaNoWriMo for the first time this year.

[independentCog]

Tolkien was 38 when he wrote the Hobbit as a story for his children which is another good example of this.
I'm now 38 and I've determined to start writing as it's something I've always wanted to do as a child. I couldn't put my finger on why I didn't fully apply myself when I was younger but watching things like this has made me realize that it didn't feel right because I hadn't lived life enough to having anything meaningful to write about.

[nikosp]

There is a writer named Jay Greenfield and he published his first book at the age of 84!

[bossdog]

I'm 59, I've just recently got my first story published, (and paid for). I'm working on a couple of novels now and I love it. You just have to want to do it. I took a freelance journalist course which helped me see the correct way to approach writing in a serious manner. I definitely reccomend doing that.

[Skylardietsche]

I started writing books when I was 20 - which is 7 years ago - and I don't regret it. I think that means by the time I'm 42 I will be a well-seasoned writer already.

[tempsanity]

I'm 209 and I wrote my first novel when I was 194. It's never too late.

[saturnn]

My wrote my first book at 63...I've written three since, and am working on another of short stories, and a sequel to my second book.

The key to writing when you are old, is to write like you are young, with an old voice.

[Ayush-vrxh]

Thanks, I am 92 and I am gonna start my career after 10 years after gaining some experience and education

[TheRubberStudiosASMR]

What he’s saying is that you have to live life first. It’s very hard to create something out of thin air

[jenwhite]

I started writing young, now I'm a little older and I understand what he's saying, even though it would have made me mad when I was younger. I DO have a fuller understanding of the world now, my writing DOES have more substance. I'd imagine when I do pass 40, 50 and so on, as long as i keep myself open minded to the world, my writing will be that much richer again. He is not saying you cannot be a good writer when you are younger. It is not an insult to younger people to say that you will be a better writer when you are older. Remember, all older people were younger once, so they have the benefit of knowing what it was like when they were younger (like you) and now. Many careers like to push older people aside and say they are no longer relevant if they have started too late (try to become a pop star at 60 and see how people respond), he is just saying that actually in this career the opposite is true.

[m.f.]

Good luck, Dan. You’re not alone. Hitting 50 myself next March. 50s are the new 40s, I say.

[benjaminj.kreger-creative]

“Get the words down and it’ll work.” :)

[greva]

All writers have one thing in common, whether they’re good writers, bad writers, published writers or unpublished: they actually sit down and write the damn book. They don’t dream about doing it, or give up after a few chapters, they actually write the damn book!

So get up off your arses and get on with it!

[Lisarata]

This is so right! I'd never had anybody close to me die before I was in my 40's. I'd never survived a family fight or a loved one getting sick, or a midlife crisis. Hence, I couldn't write drama--I'd always avoided it before. I'd never had an emotional affair, hated someone and then loved them again. Very inspiring.

[sushantharpal]

I am 33 year old man. I live in a village in India. I am learning English. Let's hope one day I will be there 😊

[ImprovingAbility]

I'm 41yo, I don't consider myself "later in life". But then I guess that's what mid 20ties think. Wait a bit, you'll get there :-)

[w.m.aslam-author]

I agree with Child and as a writer myself who also started writing in his 30s I speak from experience.