Some months after my novel was published in the fall of 2021, I happened upon a 2010 survey of 246 fiction authors which, among other findings, found that the average age – and the most common age – for their “debut” novel release was 36 years. If this in any way represented the universe of authors, then at the age of 74, my writing career was off to a very late start.
Here I am, five more years down the road. I’ve steered past a few life detours, and I’m back to working steadily on my second book (a sort of sequel to the first). But is it enough to just keep “working steadily,” or should I be picking up the pace out of a sense of urgency? There’s no denying that my already truncated writing career, by cold actuarial standards, is running out of time – but with no way of knowing how much is left.
I was surprised to find that a much younger and much better-known author wrestles with this as well. I had occasion to read “These Precious Days,” a fine collection of essays by Ann Patchett. In her introduction to the collection, she reveals that unlike with essays, writing fiction stirs up in her a palpable fear of death – that’s right, a fear of death. As she sees it, in giving life to her fictional characters, she feels responsible for their existence until she turns them loose, fully formed, in a finished novel. But beyond that, she worries that if she should somehow die beforehand, she condemns her characters to die with her.
I think Ms. Patchett is serious about this, and I must assume that this fear motivates her to finish a manuscript at a pace tinged with urgency. The only difference between me and Ms. Patchett is that she senses her mortality at a much younger age. As I enter my ninth decade, though, shouldn’t I have the same – or even a greater – sense of urgency in my writing?
I’ve given it some thought. I’m gonna try not to go that route.
I spent several years writing columns for a local newspaper. I enjoyed writing them, but writing under deadline pressure was hard for me. Surely, there was a better column in me than the one I submitted by the deadline.
But with writing novels, Ms. Patchett and I face existential deadlines (good word for it!) of our own circumstance, with timelines hidden in our unknown futures. Like Ms. Patchett, I look forward to the satisfaction of a finished book, but I don’t want my existential deadline to steal my enjoyment of the writing process. I can’t see how Ms. Patchett avoids writing in a backdrop of personal foreboding. I wish to avoid that.
I want to write with deliberate speed, but I’d rather not have fear of death be a motivator. I will try to write with no concern for my mortality. I will eat sensibly, exercise regularly, get sufficient sleep, and let the chips fall where they may. I’m committed to the project of writing this book, but I’m also committed to the fun of writing it. If I have to leave it behind unfinished, I’ll just have to be OK with that. I’m not terribly worried about my literary legacy. As for the fate of my characters, I’m sure they’ll be OK, too.
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So good to hear from you. I didn’t really get a chance to catch up with you and Sal at Susan’s memorial. Glad to hear you are taking care of yourself and keeping up with the writing. Look forward to hear about the next book birth if and when it comes. Best, Peggy
Thanks, Peggy!
All the best,
Ron
More, please!!! Can’t wait for the next book, Ron! Loved this blog post. Love to you from me and Fred, too.
Hi Sarah! Great to hear from you. Every so often I catch a sighting on FB.
The encouragement I’m getting really helps!
All the best to you and Fred. Hope Fred is tending to his wine cellar….
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on writing and happy you are committed to enjoying the process. I totally get it.
Xxxx. V
You’re pretty committed to your process! Love how the paintings just pour out of you.
Great hearing from you Ron. So glad you are going to write a “sort of sequel” to The King’s Anatomist. I would love to hear more about it! You must come visit us in our new house in Madison NH this winter. I will be in touch .
Would love to parlay something with D&T. Great to hear from you!
I’m a great fan of Ann Patchett and I wonder if she still feels the same way now that she too has aged? At any rare, I’m increasingly aware of my own mortality as 80 looms, and it does govern some of my choices such as not postponing trips I want to make or people I want to see. But not the urgency with which I work, even though the memoirs I am writing may never get finished.
Glad to hear you’re writing sequel . I enjoyed the first book very much and thought your writing is wonderful.
Great to hear from you!
Agreed, choices/priorities are influenced by hitting 80. The future is unknown, but there’s less of it.
Ann Patchett is perhaps a little hyperbolic, but she is probably much more intense with her writing than I am!
Hoping everyone’s doing well out your way.
Well, I better get crackin’ on that book….
All the best!
I appreciate the attention to detail in your writing. It helped make the article feel complete and easy to follow.
Thanks for taking the time to write! Most appreciated.