I'm turning 46 this year and after listening to other people who "only had my best interests at heart" for the majority of my life, I stopped listening to them and am finally pursuing my goals of becoming a screenwriter and novelist. Granted the Novel may take me the rest of my life, but it's all about the story. I am currently working on two original screenplays; a mining western during the Colorado Silver boom of the lat 1800's and a modern day ensemble drama that deals with overcoming prejudice and living up to others expectations. Both are expected to be finished this year. I work a full time job and fit words in whenever I can. It's not WHEN it gets done, it's THAT it gets done that counts. - Write On!
Introduce Yourself : Middle Age Is A Great Time To Start by Tara L Conklin
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I completely agree with you, and share your journey, Tara. I am a little older restarting things I did in my 20s but listened to the voice of 'responsibility' when I was young. Is it easy, no, but we live in a different world now and opportunity is everywhere. I look at this point in life as the opportunity to do what I always wanted to do, and so that's what we should do. :)
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Happy Early Birthday to you too Aray!! I love finding other July babies. I think of so many successful actors and writers who didn't get started until they were 40+ (Stephen King, Alan Rickman, Samuel L Jackson...) and are encouraged by their path, their successes and their determination. Brian, it isn't easy. So many other things and people pulling us in other directions. It's so easy to let doubt creep in. Staying connected to our "tribe" is so important and helps keep us going.
Yep.
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The important, in my mind, is to do it because you love it/need it. If you get success, even better. If you get financial success from it, that's golden. But don't let anyone say you're too old, or too young, or too green. Just keep going, learn your crafts and pursue them.
I won't be middle aged till I'm at least 60 though! I feel like I'm in my prime right now (except for the knee pain when I run). LOL Seriously, I think I'd rather have tried and failed than never attempted anything because I was afraid I might be too "old". Even if I never really make it as a screenwriter, I will always be able to say I tried. Oh and small correction. Stephen King started writing sci-fi as a teen. He was not quite 30 when he sold Carrie
Bravo!!!
Tara, my story is similar to yours - except the only person telling me not to aspire was - me! I am no spring chicken either, and a few years ago after my mother passed away, it suddenly hit me that 'this is it - this is your one life...' and I decided to follow my dreams. My husband was (and is) very supportive, which helps! It took a little while (and a few creative writing courses) to hone my craft - I'll probably never be done with learning, but that's okay - it's fun! Now I have one anthology under my belt, am about to release a novel (which a colleague and I are hoping to adapt for the stage next year) and I have a graphic novel/short film project bubbling away in the background... In the course of my journey, I've entered screenplay competitions and met so many wonderful, talented people here on Stage32 and elsewhere. I am not sure that I would have been ready for this even ten years ago, but with maturity also comes the confidence to try new things. Look around you, at the creative community - for every twenty-something there are probably twice, three times as many approaching the half-century.... it's never too late! Best wishes to you, Elaine