I'm not exactly an old writer. I'm 21 and perfectly aware I have a whole lifetime ahead of me. I still have decades to master this craft and become a professional.
Some days, though, it feels like I wasted a lot of time.
There's a lot of writers out there that have been wishing for this job since they were kids. They've been writing shorts and poetry and novels since they were 12 or younger. They've never been anything else than a writer-in-becoming (profession-wise, I mean!)
I do think that's awesome. So much, in fact, that there are days I wonder where I was. Why didn't I wake up sooner? How much better would I be now if I had started five years earlier? I had so much time during secondary school! (7th to 11th years to you guys). Then I get angry and bitter.
That's not good.
I'm not an angry or bitter person. I can't stand staying angry or bitter. So what do I do?
On these days I remind myself everyone has a different path to follow. I can't hurry talent. I need to take the time to learn this craft properly. All these years 'wasted' made me who I am, and it is that person who's writing today. They have an impact.
It serves nothing to glare at other writers and envy them. I have to make the best of my current situation. Work hard. Work often. Learn fast. Don't give up. Never give up.
After all, that's how you get published.
Found your blog on Nathan's forums and noticed you were from Qc, too. I'm Québécois as well :)
ReplyDeleteYou`re right: the importance is to never give up and keep trying. People get published at 18, 21 is right on the money. Don't let your age or experience tarnish your hopes and dreams :)
Oh, I think I saw you... around QueryChat, yesterday? I was lurking during most of it. ^^ Anyway, yay for more Québécois around, and welcome to my (humble) blog. :)
ReplyDeleteI have you beat by a long shot, since I am in about the same place as you but am almost 43. I wish I had started much sooner!
ReplyDeleteGood point. It also helps to realize how those of us who have written from an early age feel.
ReplyDeleteI for one want to kick myself because I have nothing but shelved and burned manuscripts to show for my time spent writing.
You know that saying? Grass is always greener...
:-)
Ted: There's just one thing we can do, eh? Keep going, and hope we haven't wasted our chance doing something else. I don't think so. There's no age for writing.
ReplyDeleteMisha: Yes! Grass is always greener. I think it's important to know what both sides *really* look like. In this case, it's not even something I can change anyway. I acknowledge how it feels, and move on. :)