Too Young? On Age and Writing

     

   Am I too young? That thought hasn't haunted me in a long time. In recent years, I have become less self-conscious about a lot of things, my age was one of them. I realized that age was just a number, and that it didn't define me.

   Sure, I know there are some things that rely on my age.

I can't drive until I'm sixteen.

It will always be hard to find work until I'm sixteen or seventeen.

I can't marry until eighteen, unless my parents sign papers or something, (not that I plan on being a teen bride or anything, goodness, no!)

I can't legally move out until I'm eighteen.

I can't drink until I'm twenty-one.

The list obviously goes on.

   But I don't let my age define me as a person in general. I do what I like, and I like what I do.

   However, even though I haven't let my age determine the stuff I am passionate about in a long time, this week a doubt crept into my mind; what if I'm not old enough?

    The book I'm currently working on has some darker themes, I won't lie. It deals with many topics and issues. It's been pretty amazing to write and plot, because I am really stepping out of my comfort zone, and I feel like this book is going to be a big step towards my hopefully future career as a full-time authoress.

     The problem is that my topics are what some people would consider more “grownup”. Stuff that a fourteen year old girl shouldn't worry about, fight against, or even know about in some cases.

     My mom is 100% behind me, I haven't talked about my book that much with my dad, but I know that they'll stand by me.

     Now, I'm not the girl who's afraid of being judged.

     But every once in a while, the fear comes creeping in when I write, and I know I'm not the only young writer that worries about it.

What if people don't listen to the message in my book because of my age?

What if people don't respect my story because of my age?

What if people judge me for writing more heavily themed stuff?

And even more anxious thoughts…

What if I shouldn't write this because of my age?

What if this holds me back from respect in the future?

What if I offend someone for writing this at my age?

What if? What if? What if?

     I really hate to quote one of the past Gray's works right now, buuuuttttttt… “We could play the 'what if' game all day.” -Enemy of the Dawn

     Hey! Twelve year old Gray, your novella had at least onegood part!! The whole rest of that scene was horribly mushy though… lol. DON'T WRITE ROMANCE, WHEN YOUR ONLY LOVE STORY IS THE FEELING YOU GET WHEN YOU SEE PIZZA OR A BOWL OF ICECREAM OR A BOOK, BUT EITHER WAY! XD

*Ahem* Back to the actual topic of this post…

    I have decided to ignore those voices and questions in my head. It isn't going to hold me down, and it isn't going to keep me from having a voice or a passion.

    Listen, if you're a young writer, don't let a simple number hold you back. You have so much fire in you-it's the beauty of being young. I look around and see teens with fire in their hearts and souls, but so few use it.

    But you. YOU have the incredible gift of words. Words are powerful. Way more powerful than we can ever comprehend.

    Don't hide your gift. It doesn't matter if they say you're “too young” to worry and fight against things. The voices of doubt inside your head only spew lies.

    And if someone has ever dashed your hopes or dreams by saying your age matters, they're probably just jealous, because you are getting a head start.

    Don't let a number keep you from using your gift. You have the amazing ability to create and destroy with the simple movement of a pen or the pressing of a key.

     We are so much more than our ages. Don't let fear hold you back from writing that story.