Remember, Tolkien didn't start working on "The Hobbit" until he was 41 years old. It started as tales for his children that took over 4 years to complete, and he finally published it at the age of 45. It is never too late to start working on something that truly calls to you. Embrace your passion.
Good idea.
Glenn Tipton didn't start learning guitar until he was 20, which is comparatively late to most metal guitarists. It's never too late.
💙🌊💙
Laura Ingalls Wilder was 65 when she published the first of her Little House books.
41 is late? My sweet summer child. What age should I have stopped hoping to be successful?
I just finished my first book series this year at 55 years old, it's good, but when the self published first of the series, it was completely ignored with 1 sale. I shelved the idea, and haven't written since. I'm an example of a frustrated first time writer.
41 is still a pup. There are examples of people starting great works or new passions/hobbies much later in life...
I’m starting a master’s in counseling at 57. I will start my new career at 59.
That doesn’t really make me feel better… I’m 57 and feeling the pressure.
I'm sorry, but you think 41 and 45 are old? Ha haa ha ha ha....
WTF! 40 is young
I was a journalist, with no nonprofit experience, when I started an award-winning nonprofit at age 58. I just had a good idea that resonated with my community. I wrote a book, at age 72, about the lessons I learned to inspire others to follow their passions. Learn more at anitasaville.com.
Julia Child was 49 when she published her first book and did her first TV show.
Exactly! It is so difficult out in the world when everyone thinks that your 20's are "make it or break it"; Life is NOT static. I didn't even know who I WAS until my mid-30's, and I am still discovering myself. No art school, no writing tutors, but I'm still setting my path towards inking comics.
I'm in my 50s. An aging cripple living in public housing. I'm working on my second book.
You'll be alright
I’m 53. Unable to work in any environment. I can’t write anymore because my disability and food aid is so limited and being attacked that I can’t remotely live life. No way to sit in a shop and grab coffee and food and focus for hours, especially with the gun crisis. Definitely no hope remains.
I'm the same age. Can't work. The Orange Rapist keeps trying to take away my disability and the medicine that keeps my heart beating. Not a lot I can do about it many days, and I can't afford to sit in a cafe all day every day and have expensive coffees, so I might as well sit home and write.
Yeah, that's true. And make sure you ain't applying prejudice-aspects as you do that thing you are doing in those latter years.
We had a book of his "letters from Santa" as kids... crazy deep lore in those too, and they were just done casually for the kids. XD
I didn't know shit until I started feeling old
That’s not old.
Yes - my thoughts exactly. For all sorts of reasons not a great example. Tolkien could read and write fluently at age four and he was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo Saxon at Pembroke College, Oxford when he wrote the Hobbit (not a lecturer as in the US use of the term ‘Professor’)
I needed this today. Thank you.
Honestly wish you hadn’t given this speech to RFK Jr of all people.
41 isn’t very old….
41 is young. Not a good example.
Exactly, and Ian Wright didn't start playing professional football until he was 22! So it's never too late.
As a 40 year old, this is very timely. Thank you!
Thank you. I needed to hear that. 🥰
😁😁
I'm 47 tho
Remember Inkling Hugo Dyson.
Its unfortunate his work has been bastardized in recent years
This is kind of what I needed to hear today . . . Now for the harder part of truly believing it.
I so needed to puty brain on this way today...and keep it there for a bit...
So true trump is 80 and he’s just now learning the alphabet
I'm 47
Miss Fogharty, our Year 3 English teacher, gave us that book for our term novel. I read chapter 1 in class, that night when I went to bed I started reading the rest. Finished the book that night, couldn't put it down.
That is truly inspiring
Also - It's easy to write tales based on old myths when you've spent 15+ years studying them, don't try it without.
And it's easy to have the time to learn how to study them when, even after losing access to wealthy family funding, you're still raised in a safe and stable environment, given the chance to win a scholarship, and later become an Oxford professor.
I'm 68 and I'm fulfilling my quest to drink more coffee every day
*Lifts third mug of the day to celebrate.* Na zdrowie! I hear that, heheh. Mmm... life juice...
I finally wrote a book last year aged 57 and self published. It took me 2 years 😂 I may be a natural reader but not writer. It was on my bucket list, no best seller but very satisfying 🥳
That is awesome! Inspirational, actually. I have started and stopped my book so many times, I have lost count... and have let it collect digital dust. With the amount of outreach that this thread has gotten and from replies like yours... it is time, methinks, to see it to the end.
Go for it 🥳🥳🥳
Welp this makes me feel like a piece of shit since I'm 50.
The McDonald's founders started their restaurant when they were 53
Sure they did.
I started short stories at 34 and had my first novel published when I was 41.
Damn, I just turned 48 🫤
I’m not a writer, although, being an avid reader, I greatly value all you writers. However, I did begin a career as an EMT at the tender age of 64. It ain’t over until they screw the lid down!
I was a paramedic for 8 years, so my hat comes off to you for pursuing it. It can be both difficult and stressful, but certainly the most rewarding career I ever had. Every once in a while, the urge to look into getting back into it flickers in my eye... even if just as volunteer.
I started a PhD in history when I was 42 and became Dr. Scribble at 51. Now I am too old to get a job in two professions. Stay with the boring yet steady job kids, especially if you are on the wrong side of 50.
He was, of course, a renowned Oxford Philologist before he started.
I'd remember, except I'm old and my memory's bad.
Nice
Nice
Kandinsky's career took off only in his forties. He didn't even pick up a paintbrush before age 30!
The main stream wants you to think that if you haven't made it by 28 your naver going to. 🦇
My first book was published on my 60th birthday!
I remember when I thought 41 was "old". Boy oh boy, things sure change if you wait around long enough.
45 is old? Just shoot me
41 was a long time ago
In my case, my procrastination
Talking about being a novelist in your 40’s like it’s elderly GTFOH
Ken Griffey Jr. didn’t become a major league baseball player until he was 19 years old. You’re never too old to chase your dreams!
Well, writing wasn’t really his passion, language was ;)
I've been writing stories since before I could actually write (Mom was a big help with that 😁). I'm 48 and still trying. I'd love to be able to publish something before I die, but I don't see it happening. Who knows, though? It's difficult to give up hope.
What terrific advice, brilliant..✅✅✅
George RR Martin didn’t start working on “The Winds of Winter” until he was in his mid-sixties! It’s never too late!