Too young to write?

by Mark Rudd
4th January 2012

Here's one that has bothered me for a long time... I am writing (as I always am) a children's fantasy novel that I hope to submit to an agent this year. It's a fairly dark, spooky story in a magical setting, starring an ordinary girl. I only have one problem with it...

I'm only 21.

Is that enough life experience to be writing anything? Can a person's style be sufficiently mature by that age? Will an agent look at the DOB and dismiss the submission? I'd appreciate some thoughts on this!

Replies

Don't see any problems with being only 21. If anything it should be an advantage as you are writing for readers nearer your own age. You should remember being a teenager better than someone in their 50's or 6o's.

Perhaps being male might be more of a problem if you are writing from the point of view of a teenage girl. Have you a wife/girlfriend/sister who could give you some pointers? I read somewhere that Jane Austen hardly ever had scenes in her novels featuring two men together because she didn't know how men talked in a male-only environment.

Profile picture for user maryfrom_21818
Mary
Hodges
330 points
Developing your craft
Film, Music, Theatre, TV and Radio
Poetry
Short stories
Fiction
Autobiography, Biography and Memoir
Comic
Speculative Fiction
Adventure
Historical
Mary Hodges
18/02/2012

Mark, I wish you the best of luck!

Profile picture for user antglenn
Anthony Scott
Glenn
330 points
Developing your craft
Short stories
Fiction
Business, Management and Education
Middle Grade (Children's)
Picture Books (Children's)
Comic
Speculative Fiction
Adventure
Historical
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Anthony Scott Glenn
16/02/2012

Well thanks for all the votes of confidence ladies and gents, I now have no excuses left - it's time to call some agents!

Profile picture for user mark.rud_11053
Mark
Rudd
330 points
Ready to publish
Film, Music, Theatre, TV and Radio
Fiction
Middle Grade (Children's)
Picture Books (Children's)
Comic
Speculative Fiction
Adventure
Historical
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Philosophy and Religion
Mark Rudd
16/02/2012