Thanks, Chuck. I’m the old guy with lots of life experience still trying to hone that storytelling skill. But I’m not giving up. I enjoy it too much. I enjoy it more every time I learn and implement new knowledge and techniques. Thank you for that, too.
Hoping to have hit the tail end of the median. Nearly 40.
Also, I know its hard, but please don't minimize your intelligence. Anyone who has a problem with it wasn't going to be into whatever you had to say either way. I think Im more telling this to myself. Being agreeable, and likeable is a curse at times.
“Years ago the writer Doug Coupland told me about a study that supported the theory that the final major development in a human brain occurred around the age of thirty-one.”
There’s a similar study from criminology that pegs the same time frame.
Career criminals have an opportunity to choose the trajectory for the rest of their lives around this time.
Thank goodness for your writing lessons and homework. I didn't even know I was a writer until I joined this substack group. I know I'm gushing away but golly. Sue me. I just worry about writing when I have to write or my heart isn't in it...what then?
Thank god for the caviat at the end about people lacking either experience, or tech skill, can eventually grow.
Right now, at Weiden + Kennedy, I'm one of the older members of my cohort, and somehow they make the difference between 23 and 27 feel like a gulf. Maybe it's just the nature of the internet, and how much more they use it than me. They are technically some of the best makers I've ever met, but there isn't a lot of life insight, and - maybe it's just because the biz is advertising - but some of them only speak in slogans.
With hope and a little bit of juice, fingers crossed I have tree trunks for legs by the fall.
Funny, you’ve triggered a memory that every new position I take as a CNA/PCA always has an inevitable body mechanics quickie class. A couple of hours or so. The class is merely a show so later when you’re injured they can blame you and the insurance won’t pay out. Tough luck. This is because the methods they teach are ineffective at stopping long term damage or preventing any one of us from diving to save a falling patient. The class is usually comprised of people with already spurred bones and worn knees and destroyed spines and pinched static nerves but also new aides and nurses who ignore the warning signs all around them. They don’t bat an eye at the old people who should have retired years ago but grind all day leaning over desks, and pace the halls, and lean over and lift people with brute strength. Kids: You don’t ever want to get punched by a 30 year vet nurse. Candice may have smoked since 1984 and have a hump on her back but she’ll knock you on your ass and type a sonnet nurses note about it. She’ll save your life and whip you into shape to go home safe. That’s her masterpiece. My point being after all that, I agree.
Also, anything I wrote before 31 would make you cry in a corner that I’m your fan.
Not to be too much of a hippie-dippy type, as I know this sort of stuff is often frowned upon in more intelligent circles, but thirty years is also roughly the length of Saturn’s orbit around the sun, known as the “Saturn Return”.
Hey, don't put yourself down! This was a treat to read, thank you. At this point, ANYTHING you post is way more precious now.
When a young writer writes about something they don't have much experience in, can they still produce good work? I always have a slight fear of producing something I'm not well-versed in but I try to do the story justice. Ultimately, I feel kinda like a fraud, an imposter. If I'm being honest.
Cheers on the entire body being an aspect of the writing process. I also heard this from Paul Auster. With less examples though. You are King Example. Zizek talks a lot about how philosophical ideas are nothing without an example/joke to back them up. They don't really have a chance to "click" otherwise.
This is a great post, and actually inspirational to anyone entering or remaining within their thirties that wants to write. Hopefully the skills can still be learnt for those who thought it too late!
You never know when life experience will kick in and help you out.
Here’s hoping I can still put together a masterpiece even though I’m a decade late...
I'm coming in nine years too late, but here's to those legs!
Almost like the buddhist idea of letting go. don’t think too much; just write.
Thanks, Chuck. I’m the old guy with lots of life experience still trying to hone that storytelling skill. But I’m not giving up. I enjoy it too much. I enjoy it more every time I learn and implement new knowledge and techniques. Thank you for that, too.
Hoping to have hit the tail end of the median. Nearly 40.
Also, I know its hard, but please don't minimize your intelligence. Anyone who has a problem with it wasn't going to be into whatever you had to say either way. I think Im more telling this to myself. Being agreeable, and likeable is a curse at times.
“Years ago the writer Doug Coupland told me about a study that supported the theory that the final major development in a human brain occurred around the age of thirty-one.”
There’s a similar study from criminology that pegs the same time frame.
Career criminals have an opportunity to choose the trajectory for the rest of their lives around this time.
Go straight, or stay crooked.
Thank goodness for your writing lessons and homework. I didn't even know I was a writer until I joined this substack group. I know I'm gushing away but golly. Sue me. I just worry about writing when I have to write or my heart isn't in it...what then?
Thank god for the caviat at the end about people lacking either experience, or tech skill, can eventually grow.
Right now, at Weiden + Kennedy, I'm one of the older members of my cohort, and somehow they make the difference between 23 and 27 feel like a gulf. Maybe it's just the nature of the internet, and how much more they use it than me. They are technically some of the best makers I've ever met, but there isn't a lot of life insight, and - maybe it's just because the biz is advertising - but some of them only speak in slogans.
With hope and a little bit of juice, fingers crossed I have tree trunks for legs by the fall.
Guess I got a decade to get my shit together. No pressure.
This is fantastic. Thanks.
Funny, you’ve triggered a memory that every new position I take as a CNA/PCA always has an inevitable body mechanics quickie class. A couple of hours or so. The class is merely a show so later when you’re injured they can blame you and the insurance won’t pay out. Tough luck. This is because the methods they teach are ineffective at stopping long term damage or preventing any one of us from diving to save a falling patient. The class is usually comprised of people with already spurred bones and worn knees and destroyed spines and pinched static nerves but also new aides and nurses who ignore the warning signs all around them. They don’t bat an eye at the old people who should have retired years ago but grind all day leaning over desks, and pace the halls, and lean over and lift people with brute strength. Kids: You don’t ever want to get punched by a 30 year vet nurse. Candice may have smoked since 1984 and have a hump on her back but she’ll knock you on your ass and type a sonnet nurses note about it. She’ll save your life and whip you into shape to go home safe. That’s her masterpiece. My point being after all that, I agree.
Also, anything I wrote before 31 would make you cry in a corner that I’m your fan.
Not to be too much of a hippie-dippy type, as I know this sort of stuff is often frowned upon in more intelligent circles, but thirty years is also roughly the length of Saturn’s orbit around the sun, known as the “Saturn Return”.
Hey, don't put yourself down! This was a treat to read, thank you. At this point, ANYTHING you post is way more precious now.
When a young writer writes about something they don't have much experience in, can they still produce good work? I always have a slight fear of producing something I'm not well-versed in but I try to do the story justice. Ultimately, I feel kinda like a fraud, an imposter. If I'm being honest.
Cheers on the entire body being an aspect of the writing process. I also heard this from Paul Auster. With less examples though. You are King Example. Zizek talks a lot about how philosophical ideas are nothing without an example/joke to back them up. They don't really have a chance to "click" otherwise.
Interesting. I never heard of that theory.
This is a great post, and actually inspirational to anyone entering or remaining within their thirties that wants to write. Hopefully the skills can still be learnt for those who thought it too late!