So, we recently celebrated our little girl's first birthday over the weekend. She is a very active and social little tike, and I figure she gets that from her mother's side. My side of the family is a bit more reserved and often incapable of expressing emotions. I just know she'll have a good life.
In my 20s I would have never thought that being married with kids would be very exciting. My primary concern during my college and Navy years was partying with my friends and meeting women. It would have been almost impossible for me to commit to any long term project or initiative, especially writing a book or starting a small business. However, as you get older and life changes, you tend to be able to focus more on what's important. I was at first overwhelmed with the thought of having to be responsible financially for someone other than myself, but it's a good kind of pressure that helps you stay on track.
Since I'm able to put behind me the shenanigans of my 20s, it has really helped to keep a clear mind. Not that my accomplishments are anything spectacular, but for me it would have been difficult to try and take on a big endeavor when I was younger. That is why I feel the best writers are older (usually at least 40), and writing a book is indeed a big project. Older writers don't have the need for instant gratification and they can commit to something long term. I'm not saying that young writers are lousy, but people seem to become better wordsmiths as they age.
The Taleist self-publishing survey estimates that 75% of writers are between ages 30-60. I don't think a single one of our clients at BB eBooks (all authors) is under 40. So while the fun and excitement of youth goes away with age, at least you can become a better writer. That's what I'm counting on.
