Finding Your Voice After 50

4 things you can (and should) start doing today

With the completion of my manuscript, I closed my laptop, celebrated with a glass of Chardonnay, and sat back, prepared for the inevitable challenge of the Next Step on the road to publication—finding the elusive literary agent. For those of you not living in my bookish world, literary agents are similar to talent agents for actors, except they represent authors and would-be authors.

In the slight chance of getting published with one of the traditional publishing houses, like Random House or Simon & Schuster, an author first needs to go the route of securing an agent. While I knew it would be a challenge, I had no idea just why…

“Thank you for your submission. Unfortunately, this is not what we are looking for at this time.”

 One would think that the obvious reason for getting rejected by an agent would be poor writing skills, right? Not even close. I have heard more than one literary agent bemoan the fact that they receive a multitude of manuscripts that are rich in nuance and storytelling, but are forced to pass on them because, “They’re not marketable to our target demographic of 18-49.”

While many manuscripts worthy of publication land on the desks of 20-something-year-old agents, a great majority are written by women over the age of 50 and targeted to a more mature reader. Twenty-something agents simply aren’t looking to partner with authors old enough to have taken typing class in high school. Never mind that the average age for women in book clubs is well over 50, literary agents are looking for the next Hunger Games trilogy. Simply put, if your protagonist doesn’t have wings or a superpower, your manuscript is more likely to collect dust than royalties.

While this paper-thin insight is flawed on many levels, the way in which mature female writers are treated in the literary world mirrors how older woman are feeling in general—that they’ve lost ground. This belief that women 50+ lose their importance in life is shared by a disproportionate number of people in modern-day culture. A recent study revealed that more than two-thirds of women over the age of 45 have experienced a fallen lack of confidence—judged negatively because of their age from the opposite sex and by younger women.

Technology plays a role in how we view older women—with the perception that women who remember taking typing class in high school are sadly out of sync with social media and the digital world, which is not at all true. But perception is everything, and while the cliché is that men grow old in a dignified fashion, women just grow old.

So, what can women over 50 do to find their voices again? Here are four things YOU can start on today…

1. Sing your own praises – It’s no surprise that many of my author friends lean towards being introverted. And as is common with many women, they prefer that accolades come from others rather than thumping their own chests with declarations of, “Look at me! I wrote a book!” But being a great writer, baker, accountant, retailer, etc. sometimes isn’t enough to make the cash register ring. In fact, in most cases, self-promotion needs to go hand-in-hand with whatever talent you possess in order to spell success.

2. Make a fool of yourself – when was the last time you tried something that you knew you’d be absolutely horrible at? Chances are, you can’t recall, and that’s exactly why you need to make a fool of yourself TODAY, whether it’s taking up pickleball or writing your memoir. It’s doesn’t matter if no one reads your story but you. It’s all about getting outside of your comfort zone and perhaps knocking something off your bucket list.

3. Join a cause – While this can certainly include a political party or candidate, there are many other ways to make your mark. With so many nonprofit organizations and community outreach centers, your voice and hands-on commitment can make the difference for any organization and individual in need of assistance. Wouldn’t it be nice to help a young woman find her voice?

4. Step away from the noise – Facebook can deceive us into believing that our world is just a click away, but the truth is, you’re probably just talking to the same 25 people day in and day out. Shut your computer, set down your phone, and reconnect with your community, whether it’s visiting the new shop that opened up down the street or joining a women’s league at the local golf course. Bottom line, make a new friend today—a real friend.

The truth is, we need to make time for ourselves at every phase in our lives. Women in particular are far too willing to sacrifice self-worth for the sake of loved ones, and it doesn’t have to be an either-or decision.  We have choices, and it’s up to us to make our own path. After receiving yet another, “Your story is captivating but does not currently fit with what we are looking for,” from a literary agent, I chose a different route and landed with She Writes Press, a hybrid publishing company that partners with female writers—all female writers. Today, my day-job is balanced with my writing exercises along with my lifelong goal of becoming a mediocre golfer. As a woman 50+, I’m looking forward to the second half of my own story.

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Heidi McCrary’s debut novel, Chasing North Star is available online wherever books are sold. Keep up with her writings at https://heidimccrary.net/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HeidiMcCraryAuthor

CHASING NORTH STAR

Germany, 1940. While struggling to survive at an orphanage, young Didi crosses paths with a rebellious, quirky girl who will either help her escape a life of abuse and uncertainty or lead her down an even darker path.

Fast-forward to 1970. With help from a worn leather journal, another young girl learns the story of Didi, who escaped war-torn Germany for a better life in America―except her life didn’t turn out as expected. The stories of these two girls intertwine and eventually collide one Christmas night when Didi, all grown up, finally remembers the secret she buried long ago.

Chasing North Star looks back at a time when four free-range siblings, cigarettes in hand, roamed the streets ’til sunrise and hid from a gun-toting, mentally ill mother who couldn’t help herself. Stingray bicycles, transistor radios, and late nights in the cemetery―just another day in Alamo. That is, until the youngest sibling stumbles upon Didi’s story.

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